Pickup Rules & Schedules: Lodi vs Stockton
How do pickup rules & schedules rules compare between Lodi, CA and Stockton, CA?
Lodi and Stockton have similar restriction levels.
Lodi, CA
San Joaquin County
Lodi residents must subscribe to weekly garbage and organics service through Waste Management (the city's exclusive franchised hauler since 1988), with recycling on alternating weeks; carts must be at the curb by 5 a.m. on collection day for the 6 a.m. route start.
View full Lodi rules →Stockton, CA
San Joaquin County
Stockton requires every residence to subscribe to weekly curbside collection through one of two franchised haulers — Waste Management (green carts) or Republic Services (brown carts) — with a gray-lid trash, blue-lid recycling, and green-lid organics cart. Unauthorized collection of solid waste inside city limits is prohibited under SMC 8.04.240.
View full Stockton rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Lodi | Stockton |
|---|---|---|
| Code citation | Lodi Municipal Code Ch. 13.16 (Solid Waste) | - |
| Exclusive hauler | WM / Waste Management (franchise since 1988) | - |
| Set-out deadline | 5 a.m. day of collection (route start 6 a.m.) | - |
| Trash & organics frequency | Weekly | - |
| Recycling frequency | Every other week (biweekly) | - |
| Standard cart sizes | 35 / 64 / 96 gallon ($39.44 / $56.68 / $63.05 per month) | - |
| Backyard service fee | $18.91/month (free with medical exemption) | - |
| WM customer service | 209-369-8274 | - |
| Code section | - | SMC Ch. 8.04 (Title 8 — Health & Safety) |
| Pickup frequency | - | Weekly, three carts same day |
| Franchise haulers | - | Waste Management (green) and Republic Services (brown) |
| Mandatory subscription | - | Yes — unauthorized hauling prohibited under SMC 8.04.240 |
| Cart sizes | - | Trash 30/60/90 gal; recycling 60 gal; organics 90 gal |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Lodi FAQ
Can I opt out of city-contracted garbage service in Lodi?
No. Subscription to WM service is mandatory for all occupied residential and commercial properties under LMC Ch. 13.16. There is no self-haul exemption for routine household waste; the only flexibility is choosing among the 35, 64, or 96-gallon cart sizes.
What time do I need to put my carts out in Lodi?
Carts must be at the curb with wheels touching the curb by 5 a.m. on your collection day. WM routes start at 6 a.m. and trucks will not return for late set-outs. If your collection day falls on a major holiday, service slides one day later for the rest of the week.
Stockton FAQ
Who provides my trash service in Stockton?
Either Waste Management or Republic Services depending on your address. Waste Management services green carts; Republic Services services brown carts. Use the City's About My Address tool on stocktonca.gov to confirm your provider and collection day.
Can I hire a private hauler instead?
No. Under SMC 8.04.240 it is unlawful to collect solid waste, recyclables, or industrial waste inside Stockton without City authorization. Service is exclusively franchised.
Do I have to take all three carts?
Yes. SB 1383 mandates organics separation statewide; the City delivers a three-cart system (trash, recycling, organics) to every single-family customer.
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