Trash & Recycling in Rochester, NY (2026)
8 verified trash & recycling rules for Rochester, New York, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Bin Placement Rules
Rochester residents must set refuse containers between the sidewalk and curb no earlier than the night before pickup and pull them back to the rear or side yard within 24 hours after collection. Putting refuse out in front of a different property is illegal dumping.
Rochester Trash Cart Set-Out and Removal Times
Some RestrictionsRochester City Code § 20-15(B), (K)
All residential refuse, including bulk refuse and building refuse, properly deposited in a City-issued container or as otherwise authorized in this chapter or by rule and regulation of the Commissioner, shall be placed for collection between the sidewalk and the curb or alongside the roadway in front of the premises at which the refuse originated, no earlier than the night before the scheduled ...
Bulk Item Disposal
Rochester requires bulk items too big for a refuse container, like tree trimmings, hedge clippings and discarded lumber, to be bundled at no more than 60 pounds, four feet long and 18 inches in diameter, with nails removed or bent flat before they're left at the curb for collection.
Rochester Bulk Item Bundling and Set-Out Limits
Some RestrictionsRochester City Code § 20-15(D)
Bulk refuse. Bulk items, which are too large or too heavy to be deposited in a City-issued container or alternate container, such as tree trimmings, hedge trimmings and discarded lumber, shall be securely tied in bundles not heavier than 60 pounds, not more than four feet in length, nor more than 18 inches in diameter. All nails shall be removed from discarded lumber or bent over and secured so...
Recycling Requirements
Rochester requires residents and businesses to source-separate recyclables and set them out in the City-issued recycling container between the sidewalk and curb, no earlier than the night before collection. Recyclables become City property once curbside, and scavenging them is prohibited.
Rochester Curbside Recycling Requirements
Some RestrictionsRochester City Code § 20-51
Recyclables shall be placed in the recycling container provided by the City and separately placed between the sidewalk and the curb no more than three feet apart from any refuse to be collected... All recyclables shall be placed between the sidewalk and the curb in front of the premises where such recyclables originated no earlier than the night before, collection. Recycling containers shall be...
Illegal Dumping
Dumping refuse, construction debris, hazardous waste or recyclables anywhere in Rochester other than where it's picked up is illegal under City Code § 20-16. The ban covers streets, sidewalks, parks, litter baskets and any right-of-way, with narrow exceptions for curbside collection and permitted fill. Individuals face littering-level fines; businesses caught dumping face penalties up to $5,000 plus the City's cleanup and disposal costs, and any vehicle used in the dumping can be towed.
Rochester NY Illegal Dumping Fines Up to $5,000
Heavy RestrictionsRochester City Code § 20-16
No person shall place, throw, deposit or dump or cause to be placed, thrown, deposited or dumped any refuse, residential refuse, building refuse, bulk refuse, commercial refuse, institutional refuse, waste, construction waste, hazardous waste, industrial waste, infectious waste, electronic recyclable materials, and/or recyclable materials in or upon any premises, street (including the area betw...
Yard Waste Collection
Rochester lets residents backyard-compost leaves at any time, and collects loose, uncomposted leaves piled at the curb once a year between October 15 and November 30. Lawn cuttings that aren't composted go in the regular refuse container.
Rochester Leaf and Lawn Cutting Collection Rules
Some RestrictionsRochester City Code § 20-15(G), (H)
Lawn cuttings. Lawn cuttings and trimmings if not composted may be placed in a City-issued container, alternate container or plastic bags with residential refuse and treated as such. Leaves. Backyard composting of leaves is authorized by the Department. Leaves not composted may be left in loose piles between the sidewalk and the curb or alongside the roadway for a one-time collection by the Cit...
Dumpster Rules
Rochester's Zoning Code requires every dumpster visible from a residential district, open space district, public street or walkway to be completely screened at a height at least as tall as the dumpster, and requires refuse collection areas for multifamily, commercial and industrial uses to sit at the side or rear of the building.
Rochester Commercial Dumpster Placement and Screening
Some RestrictionsRochester City Code § 120-165
Dumpsters. Dumpsters must be completely screened from view when visible from any residential or open space district or public street or walkway with screening that is at least as tall as the dumpster. This provision shall apply to all dumpsters, including those used for the collection and storage of recyclable materials, whether public or private... Refuse collection areas in all districts. Ref...
Collection Schedule
The Department of Environmental Services collects residential refuse, bulk refuse and recyclables once a week, and commercial users must arrange collection either exclusively through the City or through a licensed private commercial collector at a frequency the Commissioner sets for public health.
Rochester Residential Trash Collection Schedule
Some RestrictionsRochester City Code § 20-11(B)
The Department shall collect residential refuse, bulk refuse and recyclables originating in the City as defined by this chapter once each week. All other collections will be made at a frequency determined by the Commissioner to be necessary consistent with the public health. User fees shall be charged consistent with the frequency of collection.
Recycling Rules
Rochester requires recyclables to go out in the City-issued recycling container, placed at the curb no earlier than the night before collection and separated at least three feet from refuse containers. The City supplies one recycling container per household free of charge under § 20-54, and only materials the Commissioner designates as recyclable may go in it; improperly prepared or non-recyclable items are a violation.
Rochester NY Curbside Recycling Container Rules
Some RestrictionsRochester City Code § 20-51(B), (C), (E)
B. Recyclables shall be placed in the recycling container provided by the City and separately placed between the sidewalk and the curb no more than three feet apart from any refuse to be collected. C. All recyclables shall be placed between the sidewalk and the curb in front of the premises where such recyclables originated no earlier than the night before, collection. Recycling containers shal...
Looking for Monroe County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Rochester city rules.
Trash & Recycling in Monroe County →