Trash & Recycling in Okaloosa County, FL (2026)
10 rules for unincorporated Okaloosa County, Florida.
Verified from official government sources
Pickup Rules & Schedules
The county's residential trash franchisee must collect solid waste from single-family homes in unincorporated Okaloosa County twice a week, picked up curbside from a cart placed within three feet of the pavement edge. Collection runs 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., Monday through Saturday, under section 11-191, with no service on Sundays or holidays except during an emergency.
Okaloosa County Trash Pickup Rules
Some RestrictionsOkaloosa County, FL, Code of Ordinances § 11-191(a), (f)
(a)Curbside residential solid waste collection service.(1)Frequency of collection. The franchisee shall collect all solid waste from single-family dwelling units within the franchise area two times per week. ... For purposes of automated pickup, carts shall be placed within three feet of the edge of pavement, back of curb, or edge of travel lane on dirt roads. ... (f)Hours of collection. All co...
Bin Placement Rules
Okaloosa County's residential solid waste franchisee collects only from carts, and automated side-arm trucks require carts within three feet of the pavement edge, curb, or travel lane. Carts and contents cannot exceed 250 pounds. Loose refuse outside a cart goes uncollected, and crews tag any non-compliant cart with a written notice explaining the refusal.
Okaloosa County Trash Cart Placement Rules
Some RestrictionsOkaloosa County, FL, Code of Ordinances § 11-191(a)(2), (a)(3), (g)
For purposes of automated pickup, carts shall be placed within three feet of the edge of pavement, back of curb, or edge of travel lane on dirt roads. In the event an appropriate location cannot be agreed upon, the public works director or his/her designee shall designate the location. The franchisee shall provide this service, without additional charge, at the rear or side of the residence for...
Bulk Item Disposal
Okaloosa County's Waste Management franchise collects bulk items - furniture, appliances, mattresses - for unincorporated residents, up to four cubic yards per pickup. Larger loads and construction debris go to the Baker Landfill or a private hauler.
Okaloosa County Bulk Item Disposal & Pickup
Some RestrictionsFla. Stat. § 403.413(4)
Unless otherwise authorized by law or permit, it is unlawful for any person to dump litter in any manner or amount in or on any of the following areas:
Recycling Requirements
Florida law requires Okaloosa County to run a recycling program, and Section 403.706(2)(a), Florida Statutes, sets the state recycling-rate goals the county must chase: 40 percent by 2012, rising in stages to 75 percent by December 31, 2020. The county must also recycle construction and demolition debris and require recycling space at new multifamily and commercial buildings.
Okaloosa County Curbside Recycling Program Rules
Some RestrictionsFla. Stat. § 403.706(2)(a)-(c)
Each county shall implement a recyclable materials recycling program that shall have a goal of recycling recyclable solid waste by 40 percent by December 31, 2012; 50 percent by December 31, 2014; 60 percent by December 31, 2016; 70 percent by December 31, 2018; and 75 percent by December 31, 2020. Counties and municipalities are encouraged to form cooperative arrangements for implementing recy...
Holiday Pickup Schedule
Okaloosa County's waste franchisee skips collection only on New Year's Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas Day under County Code § 11-194. When a regular route falls on one of those three holidays, solid waste and yard trash simply shift to the next regular collection day, while recyclables move one day later for the rest of that week.
Okaloosa County Holiday Trash Pickup Schedule
Light RestrictionsOkaloosa County, FL, Code of Ordinances § 11-194
Sec. 11-194. - Days of operation. The franchisee will not provide collection service on the following holidays: New Year's Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. If the regular collection day for any solid waste or yard trash route(s) falls on any of the aforementioned holidays, the franchisee shall collect such waste and recyclables as follows: (1)Solid waste and yard trash: Collection shall be ...
Illegal Dumping
Dumping litter or waste on public or private property, streets, rights-of-way, or waterways in unincorporated Okaloosa County is a misdemeanor under sections 9.03.02 and 9.03.12 of the Land Development Code, punishable by a fine between $50 and $500, up to 60 days in jail, or both, on top of the civil fines listed in the county's fee schedule.
Okaloosa County Illegal Dumping Penalties
Heavy RestrictionsOkaloosa County, FL, Land Development Code §§ 9.03.02, 9.03.12
It is a violation of this ordinance for any person to throw, discard, place, drop or deposit litter in any manner or amount in or upon any public property, private property, highway, street, right-of-way or body of water in Okaloosa County except in areas and containers provided therefore. Reference section 12.02.00 for schedule of fees, which lists the fine for litter violations. ... Any perso...
Yard Waste Collection
Okaloosa County's franchised hauler picks up yard trash once a week under County Code § 11-191(b), separate from garbage and recycling. Grass clippings, leaves, and trimmings must go in an approved yard trash receptacle, and loose limbs or bundles cannot exceed six feet in length, four inches in diameter, or fifty pounds.
Okaloosa County Yard Waste Collection Rules
Some RestrictionsOkaloosa County, FL, Code of Ordinances § 11-191(b)
(b)Curbside residential yard trash collection service.(1)Frequency of collection. The franchisee shall collect yard trash from single-family dwelling units within the franchise area one time per week. ... a.Residents are responsible for separating yard trash from all other solid wastes, bulk waste and recyclable materials. Grass clippings, leaves, pine needles, trimmings and other such material...
Dumpster Rules
Dumpsters are a permitted accessory use in every Okaloosa County zoning district except R-1 and R-2, where only temporary construction dumpsters are allowed. Land Development Code § 2.21.05.5 requires permanent dumpsters to sit on a paved pad off the right-of-way and be screened from adjoining property and streets on at least three sides.
Okaloosa County Dumpster Placement Rules
Some RestrictionsOkaloosa County, FL, Land Development Code § 2.21.05.5
5.Dumpsters: Dumpsters are permitted in all zoning districts except R-1 and R-2 subject to the following restrictions:a.Temporary construction dumpsters are permitted in R-1 and R-2 zoning districts.b.Dumpsters may be located on single-family, detached dwelling unit lots for construction purposes only. The dumpster(s) must be removed upon completion of construction.c.All dumpsters must be scree...
Collection Schedule
Okaloosa County runs residential garbage pickup through one exclusive franchisee, and County Code § 11-191(a)(1) locks in twice-weekly collection for every single-family home in the franchise area. Crews work 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., Monday through Saturday, under § 11-191(f), and Section 11-197 makes it a misdemeanor for anyone else to haul residential waste there.
Okaloosa County Mandatory Trash Collection Rules
Significant RestrictionsOkaloosa County, FL, Code of Ordinances §§ 11-191(a)(1), 11-191(f), 11-192, 11-197
(1)Frequency of collection. The franchisee shall collect all solid waste from single-family dwelling units within the franchise area two times per week. ... (f)Hours of collection. All collections shall begin no earlier than 7:00 a.m., and shall cease no later than 7:00 p.m., Monday through Saturday. In the case of an emergency, collection may be permitted at times not allowed by this paragraph...
Recycling Rules
Single-family homes in unincorporated Okaloosa County get curbside recyclables pickup once a week, the same day as trash collection when possible, under section 11-191(c). Accepted materials include newspaper, cardboard, mixed paper, aluminum cans, plastic containers marked SPI 1 through 7, glass bottles and jars, tin and ferrous cans, and polycoated cartons, all placed in a recycling container rather than loose at the curb.
Okaloosa County Curbside Recycling Rules
Some RestrictionsOkaloosa County, FL, Code of Ordinances § 11-191(c)
(c)Residential recyclable material collection service.(1)Frequency of collection for single-family dwelling units. The franchisee shall collect recyclable materials from single-family dwelling units within the franchise area one time per week. To the extent possible, collection of recyclable materials will be the same day of the week as solid waste collection. ... Recyclable materials to be col...
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