Trash & Recycling in Harford County, MD (2026)
6 rules for unincorporated Harford County, Maryland.
Verified from official government sources
Bin Placement Rules
Unincorporated Harford County caps residential garbage cans at 32 gallons and 60 pounds when full under Harford County Code Section 109-3. Cardboard boxes, baskets and oil or chemical drums are banned as containers, and every container needs a tight-fitting cover.
Harford County Trash Container Rules
Some RestrictionsHarford County Code § 109-3B
All garbage and trash shall be stored in commercially-available-type containers with tight-fitting covers. Individuals using plastic bags for the disposal of trash and garbage shall be responsible for taking the necessary safeguards to ensure that this method of disposal does not create a potential health hazard for the community. For residences, container size shall be not more than thirty-two...
Illegal Dumping
Harford County Code Section 109-3F bans operating an open dump anywhere in the unincorporated county, and bans letting one happen on your own land. Violators face up to $1,000 per day and six months in jail under the Article I enforcement section.
Harford County Illegal Dumping Penalties
Significant RestrictionsHarford County Code § 109-3F
F. Prohibition on open dumping. ... (1) No person shall operate an open dump. (2) No owner of property shall permit, allow or acquiesce in the operation of an open dump on the owner's property.
Yard Waste Collection
Harford County bans dumping yard trim anywhere except the Tollgate Road Yard Trim Facility, the compost site at the Harford Waste Disposal Center, or another approved county facility during posted hours. Harford County Code Section 179-7 caps branches at under 5 inches in diameter and stumps or tree sections at 6 inches, and violators face a misdemeanor charge with fines up to $1,000.
Harford County Yard Trim & Brush Disposal Rules
Some RestrictionsHarford County Code § 179-7
A. No person shall deposit yard trim, which shall consist of organic vegetative material and shall include, but not be limited to, grass clippings, brush, weeds, tree limbs or branches less than 5 inches in diameter, anywhere in Harford County other than at the Tollgate Road Yard Trim Facility, the compost facility at the Harford Waste Disposal Center or any other County owned, operated or appr...
Dumpster Rules
Harford County Code § 109-3C requires the size, type and number of trash containers at commercial facilities to be set case by case, and every dumpster, compactor or dump-type unit used by a business must be approved by the Harford County Health Department before it goes into service.
Harford County Commercial Dumpster Container Rules
Some RestrictionsHarford County Code § 109-3C
C. Commercial facilities. (1) The container size, type and number shall be determined on an individual basis for commercial facilities. In those facilities generating mixed trash and garbage and using a dump-type container, the contractor shall be responsible for the removal and replacement of these units with a clean container when he is notified by an inspector of the Health Department that t...
Collection Schedule
Harford County Code Section 109-7.1 requires contractors to collect residential trash, garbage and recycling at least once a week, sets curb placement rules, and caps bagged leaves at six bags per collection day.
Harford County Trash Collection Schedule Rules
Some RestrictionsHarford County Code § 109-7.1G
G. Collection frequency. All contractors engaged in the collection of trash, garbage and recyclable materials shall establish and maintain a minimum collection frequency of once per week to all residential customers within the County for trash, garbage and recyclable materials. Recyclable materials shall be segregated from the waste stream and delivered to designated recycling disposal faciliti...
Recycling Rules
Harford County requires every apartment building or condominium with 10 or more dwelling units to provide tenants a recycling program under the county's single stream system, collecting acceptable materials from residents and hauling them to secondary markets at least once a week. The Department of Public Works enforces the mandate under Harford County Code Section 109-7.2, backing it with inspection rights and a civil penalty for owners and managers who skip the service.
Harford County Apartment & Condo Recycling Rules
Some RestrictionsHarford County Code § 109-7.2
A. Each property owner or manager of an apartment building that contains 10 or more dwelling units and each council of unit owners of a condominium that contains 10 or more dwelling units shall provide for recycling of acceptable items, as identified under the single stream recycling program, for the residents of the dwelling units including: (1) The collection of recyclable materials from resi...
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