Costa Mesa, CA Property Maintenance: Trash Bin Storage (2026)

Costa Mesa trash collection is managed by the Costa Mesa Sanitary District (CMSD) with CR&R Environmental Services handling curbside pickup. Regular residential collection occurs Monday through Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Residents may set out bins curbside any time between 5:00 p.m. on the day before collection and 7:00 a.m. on collection day. On collection day, bins must be placed at the curb with handles and wheels facing toward the home. Bins must be set side-by-side approximately one foot apart and at least three feet from any obstructions such as parked cars, trees, mailboxes, or utility poles. No extra trash may be placed on top of, next to, or overflowing from the carts. In select areas where collection occurs in a public alley, bins may be placed in the alley as long as they do not obstruct vehicle passage. Bins must be retrieved from the curb and stored out of public view by the end of collection day. Under the city's property maintenance code (Title 20), leaving bins at the curb outside of collection periods may constitute a code violation. Bins should be stored in a garage, side yard, or screened area.