Trash & Recycling in Roanoke, VA (2026)
9 verified trash & recycling rules for Roanoke, Virginia, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Pickup Rules & Schedules
Only city-authorized crews may touch solid waste once it is set out for collection in Roanoke: scavenging through someone else's trash or recyclables, or loading a collection vehicle yourself, is unlawful under the code section governing who may handle waste placed for pickup.
Roanoke Ban on Scavenging Curbside Trash
Some RestrictionsRoanoke, VA City Code § 14.1-20
It shall be unlawful for any person to scavenge in the solid waste of another, and no person, other than an authorized person, shall handle solid waste set out for collection, or the contents of any receptacle containing solid waste which has been put therein for removal by an authorized person. No person, other than an authorized person, may place solid waste in a collection vehicle.
Bin Placement Rules
Roanoke caps automated collection containers by gallon size and weight and requires carts to sit as close as possible to the street in front of the originating property, five feet clear of trees, shrubs and structures, with lids facing away from the street so traffic is not blocked.
Roanoke Trash and Recycling Cart Placement Rules
Some RestrictionsRoanoke, VA City Code §§ 14.1-15(d), 14.1-16(a)
An automated collection container shall not exceed the following weights when containing solid waste: ninety-six (96) gallon (two hundred (200) pounds), sixty-four (64) gallon (one hundred twenty-five (125) pounds), and thirty-two (32) gallon (one hundred (100) pounds). ... Except as otherwise provided, any person placing solid waste to be removed by an authorized person under this article shal...
Bulk Item Disposal
Roanoke collects bulk items and brush from residences under City Code section 14.1-23, but caps every load: brush piles can be no larger than six feet wide, six feet long and six feet high, single branches can't exceed six feet or three inches thick, and no more than three bulk items go out at one time.
Roanoke Bulk Item and Brush Collection Limits
Some RestrictionsRoanoke City Code § 14.1-23
(a)The city will collect bulk items, brush, and bagged leaves for the owner or occupant of any dwelling unit served by an automated collection container from any lot on which the dwelling unit is located...Such placement shall be made no earlier than 7:00 p.m. of the day prior to the scheduled date of collection and no later than 7:00 a.m. of the day scheduled for collection. No collection of b...
Recycling Requirements
Roanoke issues two kinds of recycling containers, a bin capped at 22 gallons and a larger automated container capped at 96 gallons, both city property, and caps loaded weight at 60 pounds for bins and 250 pounds for automated containers unless the city manager authorizes more.
Roanoke Recycling Bin Size and Weight Requirements
Some RestrictionsRoanoke, VA City Code §§ 14.1-1, 14.1-15(c)
Bin shall mean any container which is twenty-two (22) gallons in size or less and which is issued by the city for the purpose of the collection of recyclables. Any such bin shall be the property of the city. ... Recycling container shall mean an automated collection container or bin which is provided by or through the city. A recycling container shall not be larger than ninety-six (96) gallons,...
Illegal Dumping
Dumping solid waste anywhere in Roanoke outside a designated disposal site is a Class 1 misdemeanor, and dumping or littering on public property or on private property without the owner's written consent carries the same criminal penalty plus a $100 city removal fee and a possible property lien.
Roanoke Illegal Dumping and Littering Penalties
Heavy RestrictionsRoanoke, VA City Code §§ 14.1-2, 14.1-3(a), (d), (g)
The dumping of solid waste within the limits of the city is prohibited, except at such places within the city as have been specifically designated for solid waste disposal by the council or by the director of health. Any person convicted of violation of this section shall be guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor. ... The dumping, casting, leaving or otherwise disposing of solid waste or other unsight...
Yard Waste Collection
Roanoke sorts yard debris into four separate placement categories under City Code section 14.1-17: brush goes in an automated cart (or curbside collection under section 14.1-23 if too large), lawn rakings must be sealed in bags inside a cart, and leaves go either loose in the cart or in 30-gallon paper bags during the scheduled fall leaf season.
Roanoke Yard Waste, Brush and Leaf Placement Rules
Some RestrictionsRoanoke City Code § 14.1-17
(a)Brush. All brush to be collected and removed shall be placed in an automated collection container for collection by an authorized person. An amount of brush too large for an automated collection container shall be subject to collection pursuant to section 14.1-23 of this Code.(b)Bulk items. All bulk items shall be placed at the curb for collection pursuant to section 14.1-16, or in an automa...
Dumpster Rules
Roanoke requires a dumpster/container permit before any bulk container goes on public property or the right-of-way, bans placement that blocks traffic, requires containers to be kept clean with doors and drain plugs secured, and bars emptying or removing them between midnight and 6:00 a.m., under City Code sections 14.1-45 and 14.1-46.
Roanoke Commercial Dumpster and Roll-Off Rules
Some RestrictionsRoanoke City Code §§ 14.1-45, 14.1-46
(a)No person shall place any bulk container on public property or in the public right-of-way without first acquiring a dumpster/container permit as outlined in section 30-2(b) nor shall any person place such bulk container on private property in such way that collection of solid waste will obstruct or impede pedestrian or vehicular traffic or otherwise create a safety hazard.(b)All bulk contain...
Collection Schedule
Roanoke carts must be out no later than 7 a.m. on collection day, cannot go to the curb before 7 p.m. the night before, and must be pulled back by 7 a.m. the following morning. Collection is fee-funded citywide, billed to the parcel owner, with civil penalties for repeat timing violations.
Roanoke Trash Set-Out Times and Mandatory Fees
Some RestrictionsRoanoke, VA City Code §§ 14.1-5(a), 14.1-18(a), 14.1-24(a)
Except in the central business district, automated collection containers and recycling containers containing solid waste shall be accessible for collection by an authorized person no later than 7:00 a.m. on the day of collection. Automated collection containers and recycling containers placed adjacent to streets for collection by an authorized person shall not be so placed prior to 7:00 p.m. on...
Recycling Rules
Roanoke defines what counts as recyclable by city-manager regulation, requires recyclables to go only in a city-issued recycling container capped at 96 gallons, and bars a long list of contaminants, including food waste, plastic bags and styrofoam, from that container.
Roanoke Recycling Container Use Rules
Some RestrictionsRoanoke, VA City Code §§ 14.1-1, 14.1-15(b), 14.1-21(c)
Recyclables shall mean those items identified in regulations promulgated by the city manager as recyclable and acceptable to the city for recycling. ... Recycling container shall mean an automated collection container or bin which is provided by or through the city. A recycling container shall not be larger than ninety-six (96) gallons, unless authorized by the city manager. ... Except in the c...