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

The County's Solid Waste Ordinance (San Diego County Code Chapter 5, Sec. 68.500 et seq.) governs containers in the unincorporated area. Under Sec. 68.522, generators 'including property owners and tenants' are responsible for 'safe and sanitary storage of all discarded materials that accumulate on the property,' and must store recyclables, organics, and solid waste in the containers supplied by their non-exclusive franchise hauler (NEFA collector) or in locations otherwise permitted by the chapter. Sec. 68.571(e) requires using collector-provided containers 'of adequate size and in sufficient numbers to contain without overflowing all the discarded materials' generated within the removal period. Set-out timing is set by Sec. 68.571(h): no owner, occupant, or operator may place containers on a street, curb, sidewalk, or other public/private right-of-way before 6:00 p.m. the day before the regular collection day, or leave them out after 12:00 p.m. (noon) the day following collection. Containers must be placed immediately adjacent to the premises and, under Sec. 68.571(g), must not impede access to neighboring driveways, mailboxes, utilities, or easements. Bags used as containers must be tied or securely fastened (Sec. 68.571(f)). A violation of Sec. 68.571 is an infraction; two or more violations in one year may be charged as a misdemeanor at the prosecutor's discretion.