Trash & Recycling in San Marcos, TX (2026)
7 verified trash & recycling rules for San Marcos, Texas, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Bin Placement Rules
San Marcos requires garbage bags and carts set out between 9 p.m. the night before collection and 7 a.m. on collection day, placed close to the roadway, with empty containers returned to the side or rear of the building by 9 p.m.
San Marcos Trash Cart Placement Rules
Some RestrictionsSan Marcos, TX Code of Ordinances § 66.030
(c)Bags and containers shall placed for collection between 9:00 p.m. the night preceding collection day and 7:00 a.m. of collection day and shall be placed as close to the roadway as practicable without interfering with vehicles or pedestrians. ... (e)Emptied containers shall be removed to a location at the side or rear of a building on the premises by 9:00 p.m. of collection day.
Bulk Item Disposal
San Marcos residents must request special collection before setting out bulky waste, construction debris, or yard waste: it can't just go in a bag or cart.
San Marcos Bulky Waste Pickup Rules
Some RestrictionsSan Marcos Code of Ordinances Sec. 66.030(d)
Bulky waste, construction debris and yard waste shall be placed for collection only after the city has been notified of the need for special collection. Yard waste must be securely tied together in bundles not exceeding four feet in length or 35 pounds in weight.
Recycling Requirements
San Marcos provides single-stream curbside recycling to every residential and multifamily unit through its contract solid waste service, billed alongside garbage collection.
San Marcos curbside recycling program
Some RestrictionsSan Marcos City Code § 66.026(b)-(c)
(b)Recycling center services will be made available by the city's contract recycling center operator to all residential and multifamily units for which city-contracted solid waste, single-stream recycling service or any city utility service is provided. (c)Single-stream recycling services will be provided by the city's contract solid waste service to: (1)Residential units. (2)Multifamily units.
Illegal Dumping
San Marcos fines illegal dumping of refuse up to $2,000 per offense, four times the city's standard $500 code-violation cap.
San Marcos Illegal Dumping Penalties
Some RestrictionsSan Marcos City Code Sec. 1.015(a)
A person who violates any provision of this Code or any ordinance of the city pertaining to fire safety, zoning or public health and sanitation, including dumping of refuse, shall be punished, upon conviction, by a fine not to exceed $2,000.00.
Yard Waste Collection
San Marcos requires yard waste to be bundled or bagged and set out only after residents notify the city for special collection.
San Marcos Yard Waste Collection Rules
Some RestrictionsSan Marcos, TX Code of Ordinances Sec. 66.030(d)
Bulky waste, construction debris and yard waste shall be placed for collection only after the city has been notified of the need for special collection. Yard waste must be securely tied together in bundles not exceeding four feet in length or 35 pounds in weight.
Dumpster Rules
San Marcos bars commercial haulers from placing or storing dumpsters, roll-offs, and bins on public streets, alleys, or rights-of-way: containers must sit on the customer's private property, reached across a driveway.
San Marcos Bans Street-Side Commercial Dumpsters
Some RestrictionsCity Code § 66.085
It is unlawful for a commercial hauler to place or maintain a commercial container on any city or state street, alley, road or highway right-of-way within the city. A commercial hauler must ensure that all commercial containers serviced by it are placed and maintained on the customer's property. A permit holder must ensure that access to each commercial container serviced by it is provided acro...
Collection Schedule
San Marcos provides residential solid waste collection through a city contractor to every residential unit, billed via the city utility account; multifamily complexes qualify only with city and contractor approval.
San Marcos Mandatory Trash Collection Service
Some RestrictionsSan Marcos, TX Code of Ordinances § 66.026(a); § 66.030(c)
(a) Solid waste collection and disposal services will be provided by the city's contract solid waste service to: (1) Each residential unit; and (2) Each multifamily unit if approved under section 66.032... Bags and containers shall placed for collection between 9:00 p.m. the night preceding collection day and 7:00 a.m. of collection day and shall be placed as close to the roadway as practicable...