Placer County, CA Property Maintenance: Trash Bin Storage (2026)

Placer County divides the unincorporated area into four solid-waste franchise areas served by two franchised haulers: Recology Auburn Placer (Areas 1 and 4, western county) and Tahoe Truckee Sierra Disposal (Areas 2 and 3, eastern county/Tahoe). Garbage is stored in containers provided through these franchises. In the Tahoe Basin, County Code Chapter 8, Article 8.16, Part 1, Division III ('Prevention of Bear Access to Garbage Can Enclosure') requires the owner, lessee, or person in physical control of private property at 5,000 feet elevation and above to maintain and use an approved bear-resistant garbage can enclosure. The requirement is triggered when permitting new residential construction or additions over 500 square feet, and the county may also require an enclosure where a repeated bear-access problem is identified, generally within 30 days of notice from Placer County Environmental Health. Approved prefabricated enclosures must be located on the parcel between the residence and the county-maintained road, providing, where possible, a minimum 50-foot separation between the residence and the enclosure. Each enclosure and the surrounding area must be maintained to minimize odor and nuisance. Tahoe Truckee Sierra Disposal does not service screw-top 'bear-resistant' cans; individual cans, bags, or containers may not exceed 32 gallons or 51 pounds and must have tight-fitting, non-screw-top lids.