Trash & Recycling in Portsmouth, VA (2026)
9 verified trash & recycling rules for Portsmouth, Virginia, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Pickup Rules & Schedules
Portsmouth requires paper to be bundled or bagged, boxes flattened and tied in bundles under 25 pounds, tires limited to four per year, and dead refrigerators to have doors removed before city crews will take them.
Portsmouth Rules for Preparing Items for Pickup
Some RestrictionsPortsmouth City Code §§ 16-34, 16-39
Sec. 16-34. - Preparation of certain materials for collection. (b)Cartons, boxes. It shall be unlawful for any person to place for collection by the city any empty or discarded corrugated cartons or paper or pasteboard boxes of any kind without first preparing them by flattening and securely tying them in bundles not exceeding 25 pounds in weight, with strong, stout cord...(e)Tires. Tires shall...
Bin Placement Rules
Portsmouth residents on automated collection must use the city-furnished container, put it out no earlier than 5 p.m. the day before pickup, and pull it back by evening of collection day, placed as near the curb as possible.
Portsmouth Garbage Cart Placement Rules
Some RestrictionsPortsmouth City Code §§ 16-32, 16-37
Sec. 16-32. - Type of containers required. (a)For areas receiving automated refuse and recycling collection it shall be unlawful for garbage or trash to be set out for collection unless the same is placed in an approved container furnished by the city. Sec. 16-37. - Positioning of materials for collection. All garbage, trash, paper, corrugated cartons, paper or pasteboard boxes, and other waste...
Bulk Item Disposal
Portsmouth picks up bulk items and tree debris from residences on a schedule set by the director of general services, but tree parts must be cut to 4-6 foot lengths, stacked no larger than 8 by 10 by 8 feet, and pieces over 18 inches thick are the homeowner's responsibility.
Portsmouth Bulk Refuse Collection Rules
Some RestrictionsPortsmouth City Code § 16-35
Sec. 16-35. - Collection of bulk refuse generally. Bulk refuse shall be picked up from residential dwellings at such time, and in accordance with such procedures as may be established by the director of general services. Such items shall not be placed for collection as part of the regular collection process for garbage, trash or refuse. Tree branches, tree limbs, parts of trees, bushes, shrubbe...
Recycling Requirements
Portsmouth picks up recyclables every other week on the same day as regular trash, and only material set out in the city-issued approved container counts as compliant. Residents in areas with automated collection who use anything else, or mix in non-recyclable waste, are in violation and face fines that climb with repeat offenses.
Portsmouth Curbside Recycling Collection Rules
Some RestrictionsSec. 16-32(a), (c); Sec. 16-36(b)
(a)For areas receiving automated refuse and recycling collection it shall be unlawful for garbage or trash to be set out for collection unless the same is placed in an approved container furnished by the city. ... (c)The type of containers required in each area shall be determined by the director. ... (b)Recyclables shall be collected every other week on the same day as waste collection, except...
Illegal Dumping
Dumping trash, refuse or debris on public property or on private property without the owner's written consent is a Class 1 misdemeanor in Portsmouth, punishable by a fine of $250 to $2,500 and up to 12 months in jail, or community service in lieu of confinement.
Portsmouth Illegal Dumping Penalties
Heavy RestrictionsPortsmouth City Code § 16-5
Sec. 16-5. - Dumping trash, refuse, garbage, debris or other unsightly matter prohibited. (a)Any person shall be guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor who shall dump or otherwise dispose of trash, garbage, refuse, debris or other unsightly matter on any public property, including a public highway or right-of-way and property adjacent to such highway or right-of-way, or on private property in the city...
Yard Waste Collection
Portsmouth requires yard waste in automated-collection areas to go out in clear plastic bags of no more than 40 gallons or 25 pounds each, capped at 20 bags per collection, with oversized material treated as bulk refuse.
Portsmouth Yard Waste Bagging Limits
Some RestrictionsPortsmouth City Code § 16-32(b)
Sec. 16-32(b). In areas receiving automated refuse collection, as defined in section 16-1, yard waste must be set out for collection placed in clear plastic bags. Such bags must not exceed 40 gallons or 25 pounds each. Customers are limited to 20 bags per collection. Customers shall not mix any other form of trash, refuse or garbage with yard waste. Yard waste too bulky to be placed in clear pl...
Dumpster Rules
Portsmouth requires dumpsters serving mobile home parks, multifamily, commercial and industrial developments to sit at least 50 feet from any residential structure, 5 feet off the property line, on a paved pad, and screened from view.
Portsmouth Commercial Dumpster Placement Rules
Some RestrictionsPortsmouth City Code § 16-10
Sec. 16-10. - Refuse collection requirements. (a)Refuse containers such as dumpsters or other approved receptacles shall be required for mobile home parks and for multifamily, commercial and industrial developments. The number, size, design, and location of such containers shall be approved by the director of general services or his designee.(b)Refuse containers shall be located on a site so th...
Collection Schedule
Portsmouth collects household garbage and trash once a week and recyclables every other week on the same day, with the city manager or a designee authorized to reset the schedule when needed.
Portsmouth Trash and Recycling Pickup Schedule
Some RestrictionsPortsmouth City Code § 16-36
Sec. 16-36. - Frequency, times and dates containers and bulk refuse to be placed for collection. (a)Garbage and household trash accumulated at residences shall be collected by the city one (1) time each week, except when otherwise designated by the city manager or his designee.(b)Recyclables shall be collected every other week on the same day as waste collection, except when otherwise designate...
Recycling Rules
Any person or business in Portsmouth that recycles solid waste, whether by selling it, donating it, or reprocessing it locally, must file an annual report with the city's director of general operations covering January through December, due within 30 days after the year ends. Skipping the report is a class 1 misdemeanor.
Portsmouth Annual Recycling Report Requirement
Some RestrictionsSec. 16-172(a), (c)
(a)Any person located within the city who recycles solid waste shall submit an annual report to the director of general operations of the city or his designee. Each report shall cover the 12-month period beginning January 1 and ending December 31. Each report required hereunder shall be submitted not later than 30 days following the close of the 12-month period. ... (c)Each annual report requir...