Bin Placement Rules: Mountain View vs San Jose
How do bin placement rules rules compare between Mountain View, CA and San Jose, CA?
Mountain View and San Jose 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 →San Jose, CA
Santa Clara County
San Jose requires carts to be placed at the curb with lids closed and handles facing the house, at least 3 feet apart from each other and from obstacles such as vehicles, mailboxes, and utility poles. Carts must be placed on the street side of the sidewalk with wheels touching the curb. On streets without curbs, carts should be placed at the edge of the roadway. Carts must not block sidewalks, driveways, or bike lanes.
View full San Jose rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Mountain View | San Jose |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | - |
| Spacing | - | 3+ feet apart and from obstacles |
| Orientation | - | Handles facing house, wheels at curb |
| Lids | - | Must be fully closed |
| Access | - | Cannot block sidewalks, driveways, or bike lanes |
| Backyard Service | - | Available for mobility-limited residents (extra fee) |
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.
San Jose FAQ
How far apart should I space my trash carts?
Carts must be at least 3 feet apart from each other and from obstacles such as vehicles, mailboxes, and utility poles to allow the automated collection arm to grip each cart.
Can I get backyard trash service in San Jose?
Yes. Residents with mobility limitations may request backyard collection service for an additional monthly fee through the City's waste hauler.
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