Trash & Recycling in San Mateo County, CA (2026)
7 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 2 cities in San Mateo County, California.
Verified from official government sources
Pickup Rules & Schedules
In the unincorporated Service Area, County Code Chapter 4.04 establishes mandatory minimum residential collection: garbage, recycling, and organics carts picked up once a week. Recology San Mateo County serves franchised areas including County Service Area 8 (North Fair Oaks); other unincorporated pockets are served by GreenWaste, Republic Services, South San Francisco Scavenger, or Kunz Valley Trash under non-exclusive franchises.
San Mateo County Trash and Recycling Pickup Rules
Some RestrictionsCal. SB 1383 (2016) - Short-Lived Climate Pollutants (Organic Waste Recycling)
It is the intent of the Legislature to support the adoption of policies that improve organics recycling and innovative, cost effective, and environmentally beneficial uses of biomethane derived from solid waste facilities. (c) It is intent of the Legislature that the disposal reduction targets established pursuant to Section 39730.6 of the Health and Safety Code shall serve as a statewide avera...
Bin Placement Rules
Unincorporated San Mateo County residents may set carts out no more than 24 hours before pickup and must store them out of sight within 24 hours after the hauler empties them.
San Mateo County Trash Cart Set-Out Times
Some RestrictionsSan Mateo County Ordinance Code §§ 4.04.110, 4.04.120
All carts, bins and receptacles shall be placed on the premises at ground level... All carts, bins and receptacles placed for collection by a Solid waste Hauler must be placed for collection not more than twenty-four (24) hours preceding the Weekly Collection Service day. Following removal of the Solid Waste and recyclable materials, all carts, bins and receptacles must be stored within twenty-...
Recycling Requirements
Recycling is part of the mandatory minimum residential service under County Code Chapter 4.04, with single-stream recyclables collected weekly alongside garbage and organics. The County franchise color scheme is gray/black for garbage, blue for recycling, and green for compost. Electronics are banned from the trash, and businesses and multifamily properties must provide recycling containers under state law.
San Mateo County Recycling Requirements
Heavy RestrictionsCalRecycle - SB 1383 Short-Lived Climate Pollutant Reduction Strategy
SB 1383 Short-Lived Climate Pollutant Reduction Strategy Landfilled food and other organic waste rotting in landfills emits methane climate pollution contributing to California’s hotter summers, more frequent droughts, and more wildfires. 3 MILLION CARS worth of climate pollution will be cut by reaching SB 1383’s recycling and food rescue targets SB 1383 Progress Program News... California̵...
Mandatory Organics Recycling
Single-family homes in San Mateo County's densely-populated unincorporated areas must subscribe to their hauler's organic waste collection service under Ordinance Code Sec. 4.04.140, sorting food scraps and yard waste into a Green Container apart from recycling and trash. Low-population parcels are allowed generator-provided receptacles instead. The rule carries out the state's CCR Title 14, Division 7, Chapter 12 mandate (SB 1383).
San Mateo County Organic Waste Separation Rules
Some RestrictionsSan Mateo County Ordinance Code § 4.04.140(a)-(b)
(a)Single-family Organic Waste Generators in Densely-populated areas must subscribe to the County's authorized Solid Waste Haulers' Organic Waste collection services for Organic Waste generated as described in CCR Title 14, Division 7, Chapter 12, and below in this section.(b)A duly authorized representative of the County, at its discretion, shall visit all premises from time to time and to eva...
Illegal Dumping
Unincorporated San Mateo County treats illegal dumping as a misdemeanor and littering as an infraction, with major violations, mattresses, appliances, commercial quantities, drawing $3,000 administrative penalties per item.
San Mateo County Illegal Dumping Penalties
Heavy RestrictionsSan Mateo County Ordinance Code § 3.50.050
A. Illegal Dumping is a Misdemeanor. Illegal dumping is a misdemeanor violation of this code and this chapter, in addition to any California Penal Code violations and any administrative or civil penalties that may apply to such illegal dumping. B. Littering is an Infraction. Littering is an infraction violation of this code and this chapter, in addition to any California Penal Code violations a...
Dumpster Rules
New commercial and mixed-use development in San Mateo County's CMU-1 (Commercial Mixed Use-1) zoning district, the unincorporated North Fair Oaks area, must build at least one refuse and recycling collection area at least 10 feet by 10 feet, fully enclosed by a 6-to-8-foot wall or fence.
San Mateo County CMU-1 Refuse Enclosure Rule
Some RestrictionsSan Mateo County Zoning Regulations § 8.118.060(5)(c)(4)
(4) Refuse and Recycling Collection Areas (a) Every project shall have not less than one (1) refuse and recycling collection area. (b) Refuse and recycling collection areas shall not be less than ten (10) feet wide and ten (10) feet deep. (e) Refuse and recycling collection areas that are not within a building shall be fully enclosed by a solid wall or opaque fence between six (6) feet and eigh...
Collection Schedule
Unincorporated San Mateo County properties must dispose of solid waste at least once a week and, where a hauler serves the area, must subscribe to that hauler's weekly collection service.
San Mateo County Mandatory Weekly Trash Pickup
Some RestrictionsSan Mateo County Ordinance Code § 4.04.130
(a)All premises within the County of San Mateo shall dispose of Solid Waste by removal to an authorized disposal area or facility at least once per week (seven (7) days), or more frequently than once per week, to prevent the accumulation of Solid Waste in quantities in excess of those customarily handled by a Solid Waste Hauler, and to safeguard the public health and safety of the inhabitants o...
Trash & Recycling by City in San Mateo County
2 cities in San Mateo County have their own trash & recycling rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
All San Mateo County ordinances
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