Temecula, CA Property Maintenance: Trash Bin Storage (2026)

Temecula requires residential trash carts (the standard 64- or 96-gallon CR&R-issued black, blue, and green carts) to be stored in a side yard, garage, or screened enclosure when not at the curb for collection. Storage in the front yard, driveway visible from the street, or any location visible from the public right-of-way is a code violation under TMC Chapter 8.20 and the Property Maintenance Standards. Carts may be placed at the curb no earlier than 6:00 PM the evening before collection day and must be retrieved and stored by midnight on collection day (effectively, by the end of pickup day). Empty carts left at the curb past collection day generate code enforcement complaints and may result in administrative warnings followed by citations of $100 (first offense), $200 (second), and $500 (subsequent). CR&R Environmental Services holds the exclusive residential franchise and provides three-cart automated collection: black (trash), blue (recyclables), and green (organics — required under SB 1383). Service is weekly. Bulk item pickup (up to 4 large items twice per year) is included free with service. HOA communities often impose stricter screening requirements. Multi-family properties use shared dumpster enclosures that must be kept closed and clean; overflowing dumpsters are a violation chargeable to the property owner.