Mountain View vs Palo Alto
How do bin placement rules rules compare between Mountain View, CA and Palo Alto, CA?
Mountain View and Palo Alto have similar restriction levels.
Mountain View, CA
Santa Clara County
Carts must sit at the curb with handles facing the house, 3 feet clear on all sides, and away from parked cars, mailboxes, and fire hydrants so Recology's automated trucks can service them.
View full Mountain View rules →Palo Alto, CA
Santa Clara County
Trash, recycling, and compost carts must be placed at the curb by 6:00 AM on collection day, spaced three feet apart, and returned to a screened area out of public view within 24 hours.
View full Palo Alto rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Mountain View | Palo Alto |
|---|---|---|
| Clearance needed | 3 feet on all sides | - |
| Handle direction | Facing the house | - |
| Keep away from | Mailboxes, cars, hydrants | - |
| Lid must | Close fully | - |
| Do not block | Sidewalk or driveway | - |
| Set-out time | - | By 6:00 AM on pickup day |
| Clearance | - | 3 feet between carts and obstacles |
| Cart orientation | - | Handles toward home, wheels to curb |
| Off-day storage | - | Screened from public view |
| Enforcement | - | Warning then citation |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Mountain View FAQ
Can I leave carts at the curb all week?
No. Carts must be stored out of public view between collections. Leaving them at the curb is a code violation that can generate a warning followed by a citation.
What if my truck was skipped?
Call Recology within 24 hours. If the skip was due to placement issues, correct the placement and they can return for a missed-pickup request.
Palo Alto FAQ
Where must carts go between pickups?
Carts should be stored in a side yard, garage, or behind a fence or screen so they are not visible from the public street.
How far apart do carts need to be?
At least three feet between each cart and three feet from mailboxes, cars, utility poles, or other obstacles so automated trucks can pick them up.
Can I leave my cart at the curb all week?
No. Carts must be removed from the curb within 24 hours of collection and stored out of public view.
Compare other topics
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