Abilene, TX Trash & Recycling: Bin Placement Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Citation
- Abilene Code of Ordinances § 27-13
- Curb distance
- Within 4 feet of the curb line
- Earliest set-out
- 6:00 p.m. the night before collection
- Cart weight limit
- 50 pounds maximum when full
- Removal window
- Off curb by 8:00 a.m. next day
- Enforcement
- 3 notices in 90 days trigger removal plus fee
Summary
Abilene Code of Ordinances § 27-13 tells residents exactly where and when to put out a solid waste cart: within four feet of the curb line so the sidewalk stays clear, no earlier than 6:00 p.m. the night before pickup, and pulled back in by 8:00 a.m. the following morning. Carts must also stay under fifty pounds when full.
(1)Ensure solid waste collection containers on manual collection routes are of a durable grade of galvanized metal or other suitable material approved by the manager, do not exceed thirty-two (32) gallons, and do not weigh more than fifty (50) pounds when full. ... (5)For curb collection, place collection container within four (4) feet of the curb-line on which the residence/property is serviced so as not to block the sidewalk, unless the manager designates a different location.(6)For curb collection, place collection containers at the designated pickup point no sooner than 6:00 p.m. the night before their collection day but no later than 6:00 a.m. on the day of their collection. Containers must be removed from the curb by 8:00 a.m. on the day after collection.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 14).
Full Breakdown
Section 27-13 spells out what residential occupants must do with their solid waste containers on manual and curb collection routes. Containers must be durable galvanized metal or another material the Solid Waste Services Manager approves, hold no more than thirty-two gallons, weigh no more than fifty pounds when full, and have two lifting handles and a tight-fitting cover; anything heavier than fifty pounds will not be collected. Bags on manual routes must be heavy multiple-ply paper or polyethylene, sealed against odors and liquids, and also capped at fifty pounds.
For curb collection, subsection (5) requires the container to sit within four feet of the curb line so it does not block the sidewalk, unless the manager designates a different spot. the day after pickup. , and after the third notice within ninety days the City may remove the container and charge a service fee under the adopted rate schedule before returning it.
Violations & Fines
Leaving a cart at the curb past 8:00 a.m. the day after pickup draws a written notice under Section 27-32. A third notice within a ninety-day span lets the City remove the container outright, and the occupant must pay the posted service fee to get it back. Overweight containers and bags over fifty pounds simply will not be picked up.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Sources & Official References
Other rules in Abilene
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