Trash & Recycling in Rio Rancho, NM (2026)
8 verified trash & recycling rules for Rio Rancho, New Mexico, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Pickup Rules & Schedules
Residential containers go out no earlier than 7 p.m. the evening before pickup and no later than 7 a.m. on pickup day, with solid waste and recyclables collected once a week.
Rio Rancho Trash Pickup Timing Rules
Some RestrictionsRio Rancho City Code § 50.07(A)(3)
All residential containers, other than at a qualified physically disabled resident, shall be placed for pickup no later than 7:00 a.m. on the regularly scheduled day, but no earlier than 7:00 p.m. the evening prior to pickup, unless otherwise authorized by the Sanitation Officer. Except where special circumstances warrant otherwise and where approved by the city, all collections made by contrac...
Bin Placement Rules
Rio Rancho, New Mexico residents in this Sandoval County city must set trash carts at the curb no earlier than 7 p.m. the night before pickup and no later than 7 a.m. on collection day, then pull emptied carts back within 12 hours.
Rio Rancho Trash Cart Set-Out Times
Some RestrictionsRio Rancho City Code § 50.07(A)(3)(a)
All residential containers, other than at a qualified physically disabled resident, shall be placed for pickup no later than 7:00 a.m. on the regularly scheduled day, but no earlier than 7:00 p.m. the evening prior to pickup, unless otherwise authorized by the Sanitation Officer. Except where special circumstances warrant otherwise and where approved by the city, all collections made by contrac...
Bulk Item Disposal
Rio Rancho's contractor collects bulky items like furniture and appliances by request for a fee, and oversized rubbish must be bundled to no more than 4 feet and 50 pounds.
Rio Rancho Bulky Item Pickup Rules
Some RestrictionsRio Rancho City Code § 50.08
Upon request and for a fee, the contractor shall collect bulky and large solid waste including but not limited to, furniture and appliances. The contractor may assess a reasonable charge based on the average hourly cost of equipment and labor for the time required. Solid waste that is too long or bulky to be placed in the containers required by this chapter, shall be prepared for collection by ...
Recycling Requirements
Rio Rancho collects recyclable materials weekly alongside trash through its exclusive franchise contractor, with 1.5% of the collection franchise fee dedicated to city beautification and recycling programs since 1993.
Rio Rancho Curbside Recycling Program
Some RestrictionsRio Rancho City Code § 50.09(C)(4)(d)
Effective January 1, 1993, 1.5% of the franchise fee shall be used for city beautification and recycling programs.
Holiday Pickup Schedule
When Rio Rancho's contractor treats New Year's Day, July 4th, Thanksgiving, or Christmas as a non-collection day, residential pickup shifts to the nearest Saturday under § 50.07(C)(4).
Rio Rancho Holiday Trash Schedule Shift
Light RestrictionsRio Rancho City Code § 50.07(C)(4)
Holidays. The contractor may choose to observe the following holidays as non-collection days: New Year's Day, Fourth of July, Thanksgiving and Christmas. If the contractor observes the above listed holidays as non-collection days, then collection shall occur on the preceding Saturday or the Saturday following the holiday, whichever is closest to the holiday. Commercial collections on holidays s...
Illegal Dumping
Rio Rancho bans dumping solid waste or debris in arroyos, drainage ditches, or waterways, and on any property in the city whether the dumper owns the land or not.
Rio Rancho Bans Illegal Solid Waste Dumping
Heavy RestrictionsRio Rancho City Code § 91.07(F)
Unlawful dumping or disposal of solid waste. It shall be unlawful to dispose of solid waste in any manner other than as specified in Chapter 50. (1) Unlawful to dump. It shall be unlawful for any person to place or dump solid waste or debris in any arroyo, stream bed, drainage ditch, public fountain or any public body of water within the boundaries of the city. (2) Dumping on property. It...
Dumpster Rules
Builders placing a construction dumpster or drop box in a Rio Rancho, New Mexico right-of-way must first obtain a right-of-way use permit, one of the specific circumstances requiring a permit under City Code Section 96.04(E).
Rio Rancho Dumpster Right-of-Way Permits
Some RestrictionsRio Rancho City Code § 96.04(E)
Builders shall obtain right-of-way use permits for placement of construction dumpsters/drop boxes in the right-of-way. (F) Heavy haulers, persons proposing to drive non-street-legal construction equipment, and persons proposing to haul spoils, rock, debris, fill dirt or the like to or from an excavation or construction site shall obtain a right-of-way use permit. The city may dictate the hau...
Collection Schedule
Rio Rancho requires every property owner to arrange and pay for franchised solid waste collection service, whether or not it is actually used, with nonpayment enforceable under state law.
Rio Rancho Mandatory Trash Collection
Some RestrictionsRio Rancho City Code § 50.06(C)(3)
Notwithstanding the terms of this section, all persons must arrange for regular residential or commercial solid waste collection with the appropriate contractor, per the terms of this chapter, and must pay for the service, per the terms of this chapter. (’87 Code, § 8-1-5; ’87 Code, § 8-1-6; ’87 Code, § 8-1-7; Ord. 82-34; Am. Ord. 91-041; Am. Ord. 93-028; Am. Ord. 00-003)
Looking for Sandoval County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Rio Rancho city rules.
Trash & Recycling in Sandoval County →