5 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 3 cities in Fairfax County, Virginia.
Verified from official government sources
Fairfax County does not operate countywide municipal trash collection. Most residents contract individually with private franchise haulers such as Patriot Disposal, American Disposal Services, or Republic Services. Collection frequency is typically weekly for trash and weekly or biweekly for recycling, with schedules set by the private hauler and HOA agreements.
Trash containers in Fairfax County must have tight-fitting lids, be leak-proof, and generally must be stored out of view from the street except on collection day under Zoning Ordinance and Chapter 109.1. Containers may typically be placed at the curb the evening before collection and must be removed by the end of collection day.
Bulk item disposal in Fairfax County is handled through private haulers (typically as an extra-fee service) or via self-haul to the I-66 Transfer Station and I-95 Landfill Complex. There is no free countywide bulk pickup. Mattresses, furniture, and appliances require special handling.
Fairfax County requires residential recycling through its franchise haulers under County Code Chapter 109.1. Single-stream recycling is standard, accepting paper, cardboard, metal cans, glass bottles, and most rigid plastics. Virginia's state recycling mandate (VA Code 10.1-1411) requires localities to recycle 25 percent of waste.
Yard waste collection in Fairfax County is provided seasonally by franchise haulers, typically from March through December. Grass clippings, leaves, branches, and brush must be bundled or bagged in paper bags or approved containers. Virginia Code 10.1-1408.1 bans yard waste from landfills when separately collected.
3 cities in Fairfax County have their own trash & recycling rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
See every category we cover for Fairfax County — parking, noise, fences, fires, animals, pools, and more.
Fairfax County Ordinance Hub →