Trash & Recycling in Richmond, VA (2026)
8 verified trash & recycling rules for Richmond, Virginia, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Pickup Rules & Schedules
Richmond City Code § 23-44(a) sets the collection window for curbside refuse and recycling bins: out no earlier than 4:00 p.m. the day before pickup, and back off City property by 7:00 a.m. the day after collection. Leaving a bin out past that deadline twice in a year draws a $50 civil penalty.
Richmond Trash Set-Out and Removal Times
Some RestrictionsRichmond City Code § 23-44(a)
(a)Refuse receptacles, recycling bins, and bulk items shall be placed for collection at a location designated by the Director of Public Works. Refuse receptacles, recycling bins, and bulk items must be placed out for collection by 6:00 a.m. of the scheduled collection day but not earlier than 4:00 p.m. of the day preceding, except for any special times as deemed necessary by the Director of Pub...
Bin Placement Rules
Richmond issues 90-gallon or 95-gallon City containers for curbside collection under Richmond City Code § 23-72, capped at 180 pounds when full. A container damaged through no fault of the City costs $55.00 to replace, and any extra container the City provides also costs $55.00.
Richmond Trash Cart Standards and Fees
Some RestrictionsRichmond City Code § 23-72
(a)All refuse to be collected by the City shall be limited to containers approved by the Director of Public Works or to bulk or brush items.(b)Refuse receptacles must be City-provided 90-gallon or 95-gallon mobile containers which weigh no more than 180 pounds when filled and placed for collection. Bagged refuse and boxes will be collected as part of the weekly collection.(c)Any refuse containe...
Bulk Item Disposal
Richmond schedules free bulk item collection under Richmond City Code § 23-44(b), but requesting same-day bulk pickup costs $100 and appliance collection costs $50. Landlords or agents handling an eviction must clear items left outside within 72 hours or face a $250 City removal fee under § 23-44(g).
Richmond Bulk Item Pickup Rules and Fees
Some RestrictionsRichmond City Code § 23-44(b), (g)
(b)The Director of Public Works shall establish a schedule for the collection of bulk items at no charge. However, upon a request for same-day collection of bulk items, a fee of $100.00 shall be charged. A fee of $50.00 shall be charged for the collection of appliances... (g)Real property owners or their agents who file for eviction proceedings with the City Sheriff shall remove all property or...
Recycling Requirements
Richmond charges every eligible residential water customer $2.99 a month for curbside recycling under Richmond City Code § 23-42(b), billed on the water bill alongside a $23.75 monthly solid waste transfer fee. Elderly and disabled homeowners and qualifying renters can apply to the Director of Finance for an exemption from both charges.
Richmond Curbside Recycling Fee and Service
Some RestrictionsRichmond City Code § 23-42
(a)A fee for the transfer of solid waste to the landfill in the amount of $23.75 per month shall be charged against all water customers of the City, with the exception of City, Richmond Redevelopment and Housing Authority, State, and Federal customers... (b)A fee for recycling activities in the amount of $2.99 per month shall be charged against all residential water customers of the City, with ...
Illegal Dumping
Dumping trash, demolition debris, hazardous waste or other unsightly material on public property, City waters, rights-of-way, or private property without the owner's written consent is a Class 1 misdemeanor in Richmond under Sec. 11-102, punishable by up to $2,500.00 and 12 months in jail. A related accumulation offense in Sec. 11-103 covers letting waste pile up on your own property.
Richmond Illegal Dumping Penalties
Heavy RestrictionsRichmond City Code § 11-102
(a)It shall be unlawful for any person to dump or otherwise dispose of trash, garbage, refuse, litter, junk, demolition materials, hazardous wastes or other offensive, unwholesome, unsightly, unsanitary or unhealthy substances on public property, including in any waters within the City, a public highway, drainage ditch, culvert, pipe, storm drain, right-of-way, property adjacent to such highway...
Yard Waste Collection
Richmond collects tree trimmings under four inches thick, shrubbery trimmings, and brush on a Department of Public Works schedule under Richmond City Code § 23-44(c). Loose leaves are collected on a separate seasonal schedule, and picking up leaves outside that window costs a $30 fee per collection under § 23-44(d).
Richmond Yard Waste and Leaf Collection Rules
Some RestrictionsRichmond City Code § 23-44(c), (d)
(c)Collection of tree trimmings less than four inches in diameter, six feet in length; shrubbery trimmings; and brush shall be undertaken in accordance with a schedule established by the Director of Public Works.(d)Collection of leaves shall be undertaken in accordance with a schedule and procedures established by the Director of Public Works. A fee of $30.00 shall be charged for the collection...
Dumpster Rules
Any Richmond business using a bulk (dumpster-style) container for its refuse must hire a private contractor to service it; the City does not collect commercial dumpsters. Richmond City Code § 23-3 requires the container to stay covered, clean, and in good repair, bars refuse left beside it, and makes the property owner responsible for screening upkeep.
Richmond Bulk Container Rules for Businesses
Some RestrictionsRichmond City Code § 23-3
Any commercial establishment using a bulk container for its refuse shall employ the services of a private contractor to service that container. Such container shall at all times be covered and shall be clean, neat and maintained in a good state of repair. Cleaning up materials spilled from the container when emptying shall be the responsibility of the private contractor or the property owner or...
Collection Schedule
Richmond City Code § 23-43 puts the Department of Public Works in charge of regular curbside collection for every residential property, covering household waste, bulk items, yard waste, and tree and shrub trimmings on a schedule the Director of Public Works sets. City crews generally will not enter private property to collect refuse.
Richmond Residential Trash Collection Schedule
Some RestrictionsRichmond City Code § 23-43
(a)The City or its designated agent shall use its personnel and equipment to collect refuse from residential property on a regular schedule to be set by the Director of Public Works. The residential program shall undertake the regular curbside collection of household waste, bulk items, yard waste and tree and shrub trimmings.(b)City forces will not enter private property for the purpose of coll...