Santa Clara County requires residents to store trash, recycling, and organics carts out of public view between collection days to maintain neighborhood aesthetics.
Santa Clara County's property maintenance ordinance requires that solid waste carts be stored in a location not visible from the public right-of-way when not set out for collection. Acceptable storage locations include inside a garage, behind a fence or wall at least as tall as the carts, in a side yard screened by landscaping, or in a rear yard. Carts may be placed at the curb no earlier than 6 PM the evening before pickup and must be returned to storage within 24 hours after pickup. Chronically visible carts are considered a blight violation and can trigger a warning notice from code enforcement, with escalating fines for repeat violations. In flag lots and rural parcels where no screening is practical, the county may allow alternative placement subject to code enforcement discretion. HOAs often have stricter rules that preempt county standards. Carts must remain in good condition; broken or leaking carts should be replaced by the hauler at no cost.
Contact your local code enforcement office for specific penalty information.
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See how Santa Clara County's trash bin storage rules stack up against other locations.
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