Trash & Recycling in Monterey County, CA (2026)
6 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 1 city in Monterey County, California.
Verified from official government sources
Bin Placement Rules
Every owner of premises in unincorporated Monterey County where solid waste is created must keep enough approved containers on-site to hold refuse between collections under Monterey County Code § 10.41.020(A). The code does not set a curbside set-out window; the duty is to have adequate, code-compliant containers present and in use at all times, not just on pickup day.
Monterey County Trash Container Requirements
Some RestrictionsMonterey County Code § 10.41.020(A)
A.Containers Required. Every owner of premises where solid waste is created, produced, or accumulated shall keep upon the premises and use sufficient approved containers to hold any accumulation of solid waste between times or collection or disposal at a disposal facility.
Recycling Requirements
Every property owner in unincorporated Monterey County must separate recyclables from other solid waste and put them in a distinct approved container under Monterey County Code § 10.41.020(B). Landlords of multifamily rental buildings with three or more units must go further: set up a recyclables collection and storage system and get it approved by the Director of Health.
Monterey County Curbside Recycling Requirements
Some RestrictionsMonterey County Code § 10.41.020(B)
B.Source Separation. All persons shall separate all recyclables from other solid waste generated at their premises and shall place such recyclables into a different approved container to facilitate segregation at a solid waste facility. An owner or agent of an owner of a multifamily rental housing property with three or more units shall comply with its separation responsibilities by establishin...
Mandatory Organics Recycling
Implementing state SB 1383, Monterey County Code Chapter 10.45 applies only in the unincorporated area (§ 10.45.020) and requires every single-family household to subscribe to the County's organic waste collection service. Under § 10.45.040, residents must sort food scraps and yard trimmings into the green container, recyclables into the blue container, and everything else into the gray container.
Monterey County Mandatory Organic Waste Rules
Some RestrictionsMonterey County Code § 10.45.040
Single-Family Organic Waste Generators shall comply with the following requirements: A.Subscribe to the County's organic waste collection services for all organic waste generated as described below in Subsection (B)... B.Participate in the County's organic waste collection service(s) by placing designated materials in designated containers. Generator shall not place prohibited container contami...
Illegal Dumping
Dumping refuse anywhere except a permitted disposal facility is banned in unincorporated Monterey County under Monterey County Code § 10.41.040(A). A County Enforcement Official can issue an escalating administrative civil citation: up to $2,500 for a first violation, up to $5,000 for a second within twelve months, and up to $10,000 for a third or later violation.
Monterey County Illegal Dumping Penalties
Heavy RestrictionsMonterey County Code § 10.41.040(A), (D)
A.A person shall not throw or deposit, or cause to be thrown or deposited, any refuse upon any premises whatsoever except at a permitted disposal facility. ... D.Violations. The Enforcement Official may issue an administrative citation for the violation of this Section as a civil penalty as follows:1.The first violation shall be punishable by a fine of not more than two thousand five hundred do...
Yard Waste Collection
In unincorporated Monterey County, single-family households must subscribe to the County's organic waste collection service and put yard waste, defined in Monterey County Code § 10.41.010 as 'leaves, grass, weeds and wood materials from trees and shrubs,' out in the green container under § 10.45.040. The rule implements the state's SB 1383 organics-diversion mandate and applies only outside the county's incorporated cities.
Monterey County Yard Waste Collection Rules
Some RestrictionsMonterey County Code § 10.45.040
Single-Family Organic Waste Generators shall comply with the following requirements: A.Subscribe to the County's organic waste collection services for all organic waste generated as described below in Subsection (B)...Single-Family generators shall adjust their service level for their collection services as requested by the County. Generators may additionally manage their organic waste by preve...
Collection Schedule
Monterey County Code § 10.41.030 requires permittees and franchisees to collect solid waste from every occupied residence, apartment and business in a designated mandatory collection area at least once a week, whether or not the property owner requested the service. Residents in those areas must pay the rates the Board of Supervisors sets; the rule applies only in unincorporated Monterey County.
Monterey County Mandatory Trash Collection
Some RestrictionsMonterey County Code § 10.41.030
10.41.030 - Mandatory collection. A.Collection Required. Permittees and franchisees shall collect all solid waste generated from all stores, shops, offices, restaurants, hospitals and commercial or industrial establishments and all residential properties designated or specified in this Chapter or by resolution of the Board establishing mandatory residential collection services, regardless of wh...
Trash & Recycling by City in Monterey County
1 cities in Monterey County have their own trash & recycling rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
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