Trash & Recycling in Ventura County, CA (2026)

6 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 9 cities in Ventura County, California.

Verified from official government sources

Note: These county rules apply to unincorporated areas of Ventura County. If you live within an incorporated city, that city's own rules apply: see the city list below.

Pickup Rules & Schedules

Unincorporated Ventura County has weekly curbside collection of trash, recycling, and organics by County-franchised haulers Athens Services and EJ Harrison & Sons. Collection runs Monday through Friday by area, carts should be out by 6 a.m., and pickup may be delayed one day during holiday weeks.

Ventura County Trash Pickup Rules

Some Restrictions

California SB 1383 (Lara, 2016) — Health & Safety Code § 39730.6; Public Resources Code § 42652.5

(a) Consistent with Section 39730.5, methane emissions reduction goals shall include the following targets to reduce the landfill disposal of organics: (1) A 50-percent reduction in the level of the statewide disposal of organic waste from the 2014 level by 2020. (2) A 75-percent reduction in the level of the statewide disposal of organic waste from the 2014 level by 2025. (b) Except as provide...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Bulk Item Disposal

Under the County's residential collection agreements, unincorporated Ventura County single-family customers receive free bulky-item pickups each year (the agreements provide up to three free pickups annually, with EJ Harrison offering up to four). Multifamily complexes get free designated collection events. Schedule pickups through your hauler.

Ventura County Bulky Item Disposal

Light Restrictions

California Penal Code § 374.3

(a) It is unlawful to dump or cause to be dumped waste matter in or upon a public or private highway or road, including any portion of the right-of-way thereof, or in or upon private property into or upon which the public is admitted by easement or license, or upon private property without the consent of the owner, or in or upon a public park or other public property other than property designa...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Recycling Requirements

Unincorporated Ventura County provides weekly curbside recycling in a blue cart through franchised haulers. Recycling is mandatory under California law (AB 341/AB 939) and the County's solid-waste ordinance. Containers should be emptied so no drips or chunks remain, and contamination of the recycling cart should be avoided.

Ventura County Recycling Requirements

Some Restrictions

CalRecycle SB 1383 Implementation — 14 CCR Division 7, Chapter 12

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. Fight Climate Change by Recycling Organic Waste To reduce methane pollution and other short-lived climate pollutants, California passed SB 1383 (Lara, 2016). The law set targets for 2025: 75% less organic waste sent...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Mandatory Organics Recycling

Households in unincorporated Ventura County must sort their waste under Ordinance Code § 4770-3(c): organic waste, including food waste, goes in the designated organic waste container, recyclable materials in the designated recycling container, and refuse in the designated refuse container. Putting refuse-designated material into the organics or recycling container is prohibited unless everything is processed at a high diversion processing facility.

Ventura County Mandatory Organics Separation

Some Restrictions

Ventura County Ordinance Code § 4770-3(c)

Place organic waste, including food waste, in the designated organic waste container; recyclable materials in the designated recycling container; and refuse in the designated refuse container. Generators shall not place materials designated for the refuse container into the organic waste container or recycling container, unless organic waste, recyclable materials and refuse are processed at a h...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Dumpster Rules

Trash and recycling enclosures on discretionary coastal-zone development must be built of masonry or wood, screened from view, and can't use chain-link fencing.

Ventura County Trash Enclosure Construction Rules

Some Restrictions

Ventura County Ordinance Code § 8178-8.4.2.2(a)(4), (i)

(4)Trash enclosures, with the exception of single-family residential lots served by individual trash and recycling containers (64-gallon or smaller)...(i)Trash enclosures shall be constructed with masonry or wood walls. Chain-link is prohibited. Finishes and colors shall be similar to the building materials of the primary structure(s) on the site.

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Collection Schedule

Every single-family dwelling organic waste generator in unincorporated Ventura County must subscribe to solid waste collection service with a contract collector under Ordinance Code § 4770-3(a). The service level must be sufficient to handle the volume of refuse, recyclable material, and organic waste the household generates or accumulates, and the household must also comply with the requirements of those collection services.

Ventura County Mandatory Trash Subscription

Some Restrictions

Ventura County Ordinance Code § 4770-3(a)

Single-family dwelling organic waste generators shall subscribe to a level of solid waste collection service with a contract collector as stated below that is sufficient to handle the volume of refuse, recyclable material, and organic waste generated or accumulated on the premises and comply with requirements of those collection services, except for single-family dwelling organic waste generato...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗