5 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 7 cities in Harris County, Texas.
Verified from official government sources
Unincorporated Harris County does not provide municipal trash pickup. Residents must contract with private waste haulers for collection. Some MUDs and special districts arrange collection for their service areas. No county-wide pickup schedule or rules exist.
Texas Health and Safety Code Sec. 365.012 (Illegal Dumping — Penalties)
Sec. 365.012. ILLEGAL DUMPING; DISCARDING LIGHTED MATERIALS; CRIMINAL PENALTIES. (a) A person commits an offense if the person disposes or allows or permits the disposal of litter or other solid waste at a place that is not an approved solid waste site, including a place on or within 300 feet of a public highway, on a right-of-way, on other public or private property, or into inland or coastal ...
Harris County has no ordinance governing trash bin placement in unincorporated areas. Bin placement rules are set by private waste haulers and individual MUD or subdivision deed restrictions. No county setback or storage requirements exist for residential trash containers.
Harris County does not provide bulk waste pickup in unincorporated areas. Residents use private haulers for large item disposal or self-haul to transfer stations. Illegal dumping of bulk waste is a criminal offense under Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 365.
Harris County has no mandatory recycling ordinance for unincorporated areas. Recycling availability depends on private waste hauler contracts and MUD services. Texas does not mandate residential recycling at the state level.
Tex. Health & Safety Code Ch. 361 (Solid Waste Disposal Act)
Sec. 361.0861. SEPARATE RECYCLING OR RECOVERY PERMIT NOT REQUIRED. (a) A permit holder or a municipal solid waste management facility that has or plans to have a recycling, waste separation, energy and material recovery, or gas recovery or transfer facility established in conjunction with the permitted municipal solid waste management facility is not required to obtain for that recycling, waste...
Texas has no statewide commercial or residential organics diversion law similar to California SB 1383 or Massachusetts. Harris County does not require food waste separation for residents or businesses, but Houston runs a voluntary residential subscription compost pilot and accepts yard waste through curbside service.
7 cities in Harris County have their own trash & recycling rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
5 verified rules • Bin Placement Rules, Bulk Item Disposal
4 verified rules • Bin Placement Rules, Bulk Item Disposal
4 verified rules • Bin Placement Rules, Bulk Item Disposal
1 verified rule • Pickup Rules & Schedules
4 verified rules • Bin Placement Rules, Bulk Item Disposal
1 verified rule • Pickup Rules & Schedules
1 verified rule • Recycling Requirements
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