Arlington County, VA Trash & Recycling: Bin Placement Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Earliest set-out time
- 5:00 p.m. day before collection
- Latest set-out time
- 6:00 a.m. collection day
- Cart return deadline
- 24 hours after collection or emptying
- Storage location rule
- Behind Front Building Line, screened from street
- Late removal fee
- $50 per §10-6.E.3
- Damaged cart replacement fee
- $60 (§10-8.E)
- General civil penalty
- Up to $300 per violation (§10-11)
Summary
Arlington County requires Trash, Recycling and Organics Carts to go to the curb no earlier than 5:00 p.m. the day before collection and no later than 6:00 a.m. on collection day. Carts must return to their normal storage spot behind the Front Building Line within 24 hours, screened from street view unless fencing or landscaping already hides them.
All Trash, Recyclable Materials, and Yard Trimmings shall be placed at the Collection Point no sooner than 5:00 p.m. the day prior to, nor later than 6:00 a.m. of the day of scheduled collection. Any Trash, Recyclable Materials, or Yard Trimmings left uncollected due to late placement at the Collection Point, improper preparation, or prohibited materials shall be removed from the Collection Point not later than twenty-four (24) hours after the day of scheduled collection. ... County-provided carts are property of the County. All carts and Household Containers shall be removed from the Collection Point and returned to their normal storage location within twenty-four (24) hours after the day of scheduled collection or emptying. Normal location shall mean a regular place of keeping not in front of the dwelling and/or behind the Front Building Line that faces any County street, unless there is fencing or landscaping that screens or shields the containers from general view from the street.
Full Breakdown
on collection day itself. Anything left uncollected because it was set out late, improperly prepared, or contains prohibited material has to be pulled back from the curb within 24 hours after the scheduled collection day. c requires owners and occupants to return every cart and Household Container to its normal storage location within 24 hours after collection or emptying. Normal storage means a regular spot that is not in front of the dwelling and is behind the Front Building Line facing the County street, unless fencing or landscaping already screens the containers from view of the street. E).
Violations & Fines
Carts or containers left at the curb past the 24-hour return window trigger a $50 removal fee under §10-6.E.3, but only after the County posts a notice of violation at the dwelling giving 24 hours to fix it (waivable for health, safety or traffic hazards). Any other §10-6 storage violation carries a civil penalty of up to $300 under §10-11, and the County can also correct the violation itself and bill the cost to the owner.
Frequently Asked Questions
What time can I put my trash cart out in Arlington County?
Where am I supposed to store my trash cart the rest of the week?
What if I don't bring my empty cart back in time?
Who pays if my County-issued cart gets damaged?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Arlington County
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