Trash & Recycling in Ventura, CA (2026)
6 verified trash & recycling rules for Ventura, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Pickup Rules & Schedules
San Buenaventura Municipal Code (SBMC) Chapter 6.500 establishes an exclusive solid-waste franchise for the City of Ventura. E.J. Harrison & Sons is the sole authorized residential and commercial hauler under SBMC §6.500.220 (Collection by franchisee). Subscription to weekly service is mandatory for every occupied premise — self-haul to a landfill or use of an unfranchised hauler is prohibited. Collection covers a three-cart system (black trash, blue recycling, green organics/yard waste) aligned with the statewide SB 1383 uniform color requirement (PRC §42652.5).
Mandatory Weekly Collection by Exclusive Franchisee (E.J. Harrison & Sons)
Heavy RestrictionsBin Placement Rules
SBMC §6.500.150 (Placement of containers for collection) and §6.500.160 (Storage of containers) govern when and where carts may be placed. Containers may not be left in public view except in proper collection carts between 4:00 PM the day before scheduled collection and 8:00 PM on the collection day. At all other times carts must be stored out of public view (behind a fence, in a side yard, or in the garage).
Carts at Curb: After 4 PM Day Before, Removed by 8 PM Collection Day
Some RestrictionsBulk Item Disposal
Under the franchise agreement implementing SBMC Ch. 6.500, E.J. Harrison & Sons provides two free bulky-item pickups per year to each residential subscriber, four items per pickup (8 items/year total). Bulky items are large household goods that won't fit in the trash cart: appliances, furniture, mattresses, tires, and carpet rolls. Pickup is by appointment only — items left at the curb without scheduling are illegal dumping under SBMC §6.100.040.
Four Bulky Items, Two Pickups Per Year — Free with Service
Few RestrictionsRecycling Requirements
California's Mandatory Commercial Recycling Act (AB 341, PRC §42649) and the Mandatory Organic Waste Recycling Act (SB 1383, PRC §42652.5) require every resident and business to separate recyclables into the blue cart. SBMC Ch. 6.500 Article 5 (Organic Waste Recycling) and §6.500.540 (Requirements for commercial businesses) implement these state mandates locally. Commercial businesses generating ≥4 cubic yards/week of solid waste must subscribe to recycling service.
Mandatory Three-Cart Recycling (Blue Cart) — SB 1383 + Ch. 6.500 Article 5
Heavy RestrictionsCalRecycle — SB 1383 Short-Lived Climate Pollutant Reduction Strategy (Organic Waste Recycling)
California's Organic Waste Reduction SB 1383 Short-Lived Climate Pollutant Reduction Strategy. Landfilled food and other organic waste rotting in landfills emits methane climate pollution contributing to California's hotter summers, more frequent droughts, and more wildfires. To reduce methane pollution and other short-lived climate pollutants, California passed SB 1383 (Lara, 2016). The law se...
Illegal Dumping
SBMC §6.100.040 (Rubbish disposal) prohibits depositing any rubbish on any public street or on any public or private premises within the city, except in approved containers or at a council-designated public dump. California Penal Code §374.3 makes it a misdemeanor to dump waste matter on public or private property without permission, with fines from $250 (first) up to $10,000 (third+) and mandatory community service. Scavenging from set-out carts is also prohibited under SBMC Ch. 6.500.
Illegal Dumping Prohibited — SBMC §6.100.040 + Cal. Penal Code §374.3
Heavy RestrictionsYard Waste Collection
All Ventura residents receive a green organics cart collected weekly by E.J. Harrison & Sons. Under SB 1383 (PRC §42652.5) the green cart now accepts both yard trimmings AND food scraps — California's three-bin source-separation mandate effective Jan. 1, 2022. SBMC Ch. 6.500 Article 5 (Organic Waste Recycling) implements the state requirement locally. Open burning of yard waste in the city is prohibited (Ventura County APCD Rule 444 + CFC §307).
Green Cart: Weekly Yard Waste + Food Scraps (SB 1383)
Some RestrictionsLooking for Ventura County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Ventura city rules.
Trash & Recycling in Ventura County →