Trash & Recycling in Placer County, CA (2026)
7 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 1 city in Placer County, California.
Verified from official government sources
Pickup Rules & Schedules
Garbage and other putrescible waste must be removed from any Placer County property at least once every seven days under § 8.16.190. After a control officer's notice, faster deadlines kick in, down to 6 hours for dead animals and 12 hours for infectious or hazardous waste.
Placer County Waste Removal Time Limits
Some RestrictionsPlacer County Code § 8.16.190
A. Garbage and other similar putrescible wastes shall be removed for disposal from any premises or property not less than once every seven days. Where it is deemed necessary a control officer may require a removal time of less than seven days when conditions exist that would result in: 1. The propagation of vectors; 2. The harborage of vectors and/or vermin; 3. The creation of nuisance; 4. A cl...
Bin Placement Rules
Placer County Code § 8.16.160 requires refuse containers to sit at ground level on the property, out of the public right-of-way, and within 25 feet of the street or alley collectors work from, unless the department approves another arrangement.
Placer County Trash Cart Placement Rules
Some RestrictionsPlacer County Code § 8.16.160
A. Refuse containers shall be placed for collection at ground level on the property, not within the public right-of-way of a street or alley, and accessible to and not more than 25 feet from the side of the street or alley from which collection is made; provided, however, that containers may be placed for collection at other than ground level and at a distance of more than 25 feet when approved...
Mandatory Organics Recycling
Under the Placer County Organic Waste Disposal Reduction Ordinance, implementing state SB 1383, every single-family household and commercial or multifamily generator must subscribe to organic waste collection service or self-haul, and sort designated organic waste into the correct container unless the county grants a waiver.
Placer County Mandatory Organic Waste Recycling
Some RestrictionsPlacer County Code § 8.32.040
Single-family organic waste generators shall comply with the following requirements: A. Unless the generator has been exempted by the county, or a waiver has been issued or obtained, subscribe to the organic waste collection service provided in the generator's service area by an authorized county franchisee, or selfhaul organic waste in a manner that complies with the requirements of Section 8....
Illegal Dumping
Dumping waste matter on public or private property you do not own is a misdemeanor or infraction under Placer County Code § 8.16.150. Vehicle owners face a rebuttable presumption of guilt, and anyone whose litter is traced to them owes the county's pickup costs on top of any fine.
Placer County Illegal Dumping Penalties
Significant RestrictionsPlacer County Code § 8.16.150
A. It is unlawful to litter or cause to be littered, or dump or cause to be dumped any waste matter in or upon any public or private highway or road, including any portion of the right-of-way thereof, or in or upon any private property into or upon which the public is admitted by easement or license or upon any private property without the consent of the owner, or in or upon any public park or ...
Dumpster Rules
Placer County bans repeatedly overfilling a dumpster and requires it to be stored outside the county right-of-way. Under Section 8.16.060(L), if a dumpster overflows twice or more in any 30-day span, the county can order the property owner onto a higher pickup frequency, and an overfull dumpster is declared a public nuisance.
Placer County Dumpster Overfilling Rules
Some RestrictionsPlacer County Code § 8.16.060(L)
Containers shall be stored or maintained so as to prevent upset and spillage. The repetitive or chronic overfilling of dumpsters is prohibited. When, in the opinion of the department, a dumpster is overfull two or more times in any consecutive 30 day period, the department shall contact the property owner and notify him or her that a higher level of service (providing more frequent pickups) sha...
Collection Schedule
Section 8.16.220 makes franchise refuse collection mandatory for occupied homes and businesses in Placer County's Franchise Areas 3 and 4. An unused property can seek a quarterly exemption, but the window to request one is narrow, and unpaid service bills go onto the property tax roll.
Placer County Mandatory Refuse Collection
Significant RestrictionsPlacer County Code § 8.16.220
A. Notwithstanding any other provisions of this article to the contrary, all refuse accumulated within the territory described in subsection B of this section shall be collected, conveyed and disposed of by the franchise holder. No person shall collect, convey, or dispose of, any refuse accumulated within Franchise Areas 3 and 4 except as provided by this article. 1. Exception for Actual Produc...
Recycling Rules
New commercial, industrial, and institutional buildings in unincorporated Placer County, along with new marinas and residential projects that share trash pickup for five or more units, must set aside space for recyclable material storage before the county issues a building permit. Section 8.16.080(F) implements state law, Public Resources Code Section 42900 et seq., at the local level.
Placer County Recycling Area Building Rules
Some RestrictionsPlacer County Code § 8.16.080(F)
Recyclable Collection Area. 1. Pursuant to Public Resources Code Section 42900 et seq., conditions regarding recyclable material storage, loading, and loading areas may be required before building permits may be issued for the following types of projects: a. New commercial, industrial, or institutional buildings; b. New marinas; c. New residential projects which consolidate garbage collection f...
Trash & Recycling by City in Placer County
1 cities in Placer County have their own trash & recycling rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
All Placer County ordinances
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