Bin Placement Rules: Boulder vs Longmont
How do bin placement rules rules compare between Boulder, CO and Longmont, CO?
Boulder and Longmont have similar restriction levels.
Boulder, CO
Boulder County
Boulder requires bins placed at the curb with lids closed on collection day. Bins must be removed from the curb within a set timeframe after pickup.
View full Boulder rules →Longmont, CO
Boulder County
Longmont Waste Services requires carts to be at the curb by 7:00 a.m. on the scheduled collection day. Place containers in the street in front of the curb near the corner of your driveway with the handle side facing your home and the lid arrows pointing toward the street or alley. Maintain at least 3.5 feet of clearance from cars, mailboxes, and hydrants, and at least 2 feet between each cart when multiple are out.
View full Longmont rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Boulder | Longmont |
|---|---|---|
| Spacing | 3 feet apart minimum | - |
| Retrieval | Within 12 to 24 hours | - |
| Storage | Out of public view | - |
| Topic | Bin Placement | - |
| Governing Code | - | LMC Chapter 14.12 + Waste Services Guidelines |
| Set-Out Time | - | By 7:00 a.m. on collection day |
| Placement | - | In street at curb, near driveway corner |
| Lid Arrows | - | Point toward street or alley |
| Handle | - | Faces toward the house |
| Clearance | - | 3.5 ft from vehicles/mailboxes/hydrants; 2 ft between carts |
| Special Items | - | No earlier than Saturday before pickup |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Boulder FAQ
How far apart should bins be?
At least three feet apart and away from obstructions like mailboxes and parked cars.
When must I bring bins in?
Within 12 to 24 hours after collection. Check Boulder code for exact timeframe.
Longmont FAQ
What time do I need to have my Longmont trash cart out?
By 7:00 a.m. on your scheduled collection day. Place the cart in the street in front of the curb near the corner of your driveway, with the handle facing your house and the directional arrows on the lid pointing toward the street. Keep 3.5 feet of clearance around the cart and 2 feet between multiple carts. Return the cart out of the right-of-way the same day after collection.
Can I put my Longmont cart on the sidewalk?
No. The Waste Services Guidelines (under LMC Chapter 14.12) require carts to be staged in the street in front of the curb, not blocking the sidewalk. Sidewalks must remain clear for pedestrian use, including for people with mobility devices. Alley-collection customers place carts on the designated alley side.
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