Pickup Rules & Schedules: Cambridge vs Somerville
How do pickup rules & schedules rules compare between Cambridge, MA and Somerville, MA?
Cambridge and Somerville have similar restriction levels.
Cambridge, MA
Middlesex County
Cambridge Department of Public Works collects residential trash once per week on a zone-based schedule. Carts must be placed curbside by 6 AM on collection day and removed by the following morning.
View full Cambridge rules →Somerville, MA
Middlesex County
Somerville provides weekly curbside trash collection on a zone schedule. Set out no earlier than 4 pm the day before collection, use city-issued or approved barrels, and remove empties by the end of pickup day.
View full Somerville rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Cambridge | Somerville |
|---|---|---|
| Collection frequency | Once per week by zone | - |
| Set-out time | After 5 PM prior evening, by 6 AM day-of | - |
| Cart removal | Remove by end of collection day | - |
| Overflow | Yellow overflow sticker required | - |
| Large buildings | 7-plus units use private hauler | - |
| Frequency | - | Weekly |
| Set-out earliest | - | 4 pm day before |
| Barrel limit | - | 32 gal or 50 lbs |
| Buildings 5+ units | - | Private hauler required |
| Holiday delay | - | One day all week |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Cambridge FAQ
When should I put my trash out?
No earlier than 5 PM the evening before and no later than 6 AM on your collection day.
What if I have extra trash?
Buy a yellow Cambridge overflow sticker and affix it to each extra bag.
Somerville FAQ
What if I miss my pickup day?
Report missed pickups to Somerville 311 by the next business day. DPW schedules a recovery pickup when the miss is confirmed.
Can I put out extra bags?
Extra overflow requires a city trash sticker purchased from authorized retailers. Unstickered extra bags are left at the curb.
Compare other topics
See how Cambridge and Somerville compare on other ordinance categories.
Want to add a third city?
Use our full comparison tool to compare up to three cities.
Open Comparison Tool