Trash & Recycling in James City County, VA (2026)
7 rules for unincorporated James City County, Virginia.
Verified from official government sources
Pickup Rules & Schedules
James City County does not run its own residential trash pickup; refuse is collected by licensed refuse removers who must follow County Code §§ 10-8 and 10-9. Removers must haul refuse so it cannot spill, leak or blow onto a street, and their trucks must be built or covered to keep refuse fully enclosed during collection and transport.
James City County Refuse Removal Vehicle Rules
Some RestrictionsJames City County Code §§ 10-8, 10-9
It shall be unlawful for any refuse remover to fail to comply with the following provisions: (1)Refuse shall be removed in such a manner that it does not create a nuisance or adversely affect public health.(2)Refuse shall be removed in such a manner and transported so that it does not spill or fall into a street, nor shall it be dumped, spilled, thrown or leaked into any street, sewer inlet or ...
Recycling Requirements
To use James City County's curbside recycling program, County Code § 10-31(b) requires subscribing residents to use a container the director authorizes and to pay a user fee, which section 10-31(f) says the county administrator sets. The requirements apply only to residential properties in the designated recycling collection service area that choose to subscribe.
James City County Curbside Recycling Requirements
Some RestrictionsJames City County Code § 10-31(b), (f)
(b)Residents who subscribe to the optional curbside recycling collection service shall use an authorized container approved by the director and shall pay a user fee. ... (f)The user fee for curbside recycling collection service shall be set by the county administrator.
Illegal Dumping
James City County bans dumping garbage, trash, litter or other waste into any well, spring, reservoir, watercourse or body of water, or onto any street, sidewalk or public or private ground not designated for that purpose. If dumped trash is ejected from a moving vehicle onto a road, right-of-way or private property, the vehicle's owner or operator is presumed responsible unless they rebut it.
Illegal Dumping Rules in James City County
Some RestrictionsJames City County Code §§ 10-3, 10-6
It shall be unlawful for any person to dispose of any garbage, trash, litter, refuse, rubbish or other waste matter, whether liquid or solid, in any well, spring, reservoir, watercourse or body of water, or upon any street, sidewalk, or public or private grounds other than grounds designated by governmental authority for such purpose and then only in the manner provided by governmental regulati...
Yard Waste Collection
James City County bans burning yard waste countywide except on land zoned A-1, General Agriculture, and even there it's off-limits in platted subdivisions and manufactured home parks. Where burning is allowed, piles cannot exceed five feet by five feet by five feet.
James City County Yard Waste Burning Rules
Heavy RestrictionsJames City County Code § 9-3(2)(b)
b.Yard Waste (amendment to SFPC Section 307.1.1). Burning of yard waste is prohibited within the county except in those areas zoned A-1, General Agriculture; provided, however, even within areas zoned A-1, yard waste shall not be burned in platted subdivisions, excluding family subdivisions, or in manufactured home parks. Yard waste shall be burned in piles no larger than five feet by five feet...
Dumpster Rules
James City County requires any dumpster at a gas station, truck stop or fuel-dispensing business to sit on a concrete pad with a drainage system and be screened from adjacent properties. Sec. 24-38(7) of the Zoning Ordinance sets the standard, and the county applies a similar screening rule to dumpsters at manufactured home parks.
Gas Station Dumpster Rules, James City County
Some RestrictionsJames City County Code § 24-38(7)
(7)If dumpsters are provided, they shall be screened from adjacent properties by vegetation, landscaping or fences. Dumpsters shall be placed on concrete pads with a drainage system as required by the health department.
Collection Schedule
James City County has no mandatory trash pickup for county residents; there is only an optional curbside recycling program under County Code § 10-31. The county may offer the service to properties inside a designated recycling collection service area, and the director sets the pickup schedule rather than the ordinance fixing specific days.
James City County Recycling Collection Schedule
Light RestrictionsJames City County Code § 10-31(a), (c)
(a)The county may offer an optional curbside recycling collection service to residential properties located within the recycling collection service area. ... (c)The optional curbside recycling collection service shall provide for the collection of residential recyclable material according to a schedule approved by the director.
Recycling Rules
James City County's recycling rules limit what actually gets picked up: County Code § 10-31(d)-(e) says material left outside an authorized container, inaccessible to the collection truck, or that does not meet the definition of residential recyclable material will not be collected, and subsection (g) lets the county cut off service entirely for repeated noncompliance.
James City County Recycling Collection Limits
Some RestrictionsJames City County Code § 10-31(d), (e), (g)
(d)Residential recyclable material that is inaccessible to collection vehicles or located outside of an authorized container shall not be collected.(e)Material that does not meet the definition of residential recyclable material shall not be collected. ... (g)The director may terminate curbside recycling collection service to any dwelling upon failure of its owner(s) or occupant(s) to comply wi...
All James City County ordinances
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