Trash & Recycling in Santa Monica, CA (2026)
6 verified trash & recycling rules for Santa Monica, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Pickup Rules & Schedules
Santa Monica's Resource Recovery & Recycling team collects trash, recycling, and organics weekly on your assigned day. Confirm your day through the city or 311. When a holiday occurs, all collection is delayed one day.
Santa Monica Trash Pickup Schedule & Rules
Some RestrictionsCalifornia SB 1383 (2016) - Health and Safety Code Section 39730.6 and Public Resources Code Section 42652.5 (Organic Waste Reduction Targets)
39730.6. (a) Consistent with Section 39730.5, methane emissions reduction goals shall include the following targets to reduce the landfill disposal of organics: (1) A 50-percent reduction in the level of the statewide disposal of organic waste from the 2014 level by 2020. (2) A 75-percent reduction in the level of the statewide disposal of organic waste from the 2014 level by 2025. 42652.5. (a)...
Bin Placement Rules
Trash and recycling containers may not be set out earlier than 4:00 p.m. the day before collection and must be removed by 8:00 p.m. on collection day. Between collections, bins must be stored on private property at least 10 feet from the street right-of-way.
Trash Recycling: Bin Placement
Some RestrictionsSanta Monica Municipal Code § 5.08.170
Any refuse and recyclable materials placed for collection shall not be placed for collection in that portion of any street or alley abutting on property other than the property owned or controlled by the person placing the refuse and recyclable materials. On other than collection days, when refuse collections are made from the street, containers shall be stored on private property no closer tha...
Recycling Requirements
Santa Monica mandates recycling under SB 1383 organics diversion requirements. The city's Resource Recovery Division provides recycling collection. Commercial properties have mandatory recycling program participation. Hazardous materials have separate disposal procedures.
Santa Monica Mandatory Recycling Requirements
Some RestrictionsCalifornia SB 1383 (2016) Implementation - Statewide Organic Waste Recycling and Edible Food Recovery Requirements
California's Organic Waste Reduction — SB 1383 Short-Lived Climate Pollutant Reduction Strategy: To reduce methane pollution and other short-lived climate pollutants, California passed SB 1383 (Lara, 2016). The law set targets for 2025: 75% less organic waste sent to landfills. 20% of unsold, still-edible food sent to food recovery organizations. Collections: All jurisdictions need to provide o...
Mandatory Organics Recycling
Santa Monica requires all generators, residential and commercial, to use a three-container collection system (black, blue, green) and to source-separate organic waste including food scraps into the green container. Organics must not be placed in the black or blue containers.
Trash Recycling: Mandatory Organics
Significant RestrictionsSanta Monica Municipal Code § 5.46.040; § 5.46.050
Generators shall have and maintain a three-container solid waste collection system consisting of black containers, blue containers, and green containers, and shall comply with the general requirements specified in Section 9.21.130 of this Code. (b) Generators shall separate materials into their correct containers and shall not place prohibited container contaminants in any container... Generato...
Illegal Dumping
Dumping solid or liquid waste in storm drains, streets, sidewalks, public parks, or the beach is unlawful in Santa Monica, with fines starting at $250 and escalating to $1,000 for repeat offenses, plus possible jail time.
Trash Recycling: Illegal Dumping
Heavy RestrictionsSanta Monica Municipal Code § 7.48.130
§ 7.48.130. Dumping of liquid and solid waste. (b) It is unlawful for any person to dispose of any solid or liquid waste in any storm drain. (c) It is unlawful for any person to dispose of any liquid waste in or on any street, sidewalk, bike path, public parking lot, public park, the beach, the Santa Monica Pier, or any public receptacle. (e) Any person violating this Section...shall be guilty ...
Yard Waste Collection
Tree limbs, brush, and yard trimmings set out for Santa Monica collection must be cut to no more than 4 feet in length and tied in bundles not exceeding 40 pounds. Palm fronds do not need to be placed in containers.
Trash Recycling: Yard Waste
Some RestrictionsSanta Monica Municipal Code § 5.08.200
Palm fronds need not be placed in containers. Tree limbs, brush, bush, tree trimmings, broken furniture, carpet, and padding shall be no more than four feet in length and shall be securely tied in bundles not to exceed 40 pounds in weight. Wooden boxes, wooden crates, and paper cartons shall be broken and tied in bundles not to exceed 40 pounds in weight. Ashes shall be thoroughly wet before be...
Looking for Los Angeles County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Santa Monica city rules.
Trash & Recycling in Los Angeles County →