Bethlehem, PA Trash & Recycling: Bin Placement Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Normal storage distance
- within 5 ft of building
- Earliest set-out time
- 6:00 p.m. day before pickup
- Return deadline
- 8:00 p.m. on collection day
- Front-yard storage
- barred unless no rear/side access
- Curbside limit night before
- not within 5 ft of ROW
Summary
Bethlehem bars storing trash containers in front of a building unless there is no rear or side access, and containers otherwise must sit within five feet of the building. Carts can go to the curb no earlier than 6 p.m. the night before pickup and must be back within five feet of the building by 8 p.m. on collection day.
(b) Containers may be stored anywhere on a premises except: (1) No container shall be stored in the front of any building on the premises unless the building is located in an area where there is no access to the rear or sides by way of easement or public right-of-way... (2) No containers shall be stored more than five feet from the front, rear or sides of a building, except as provided in Article 1162.08(d). (3) No person shall store containers for solid waste, ashes, rubbish, manure or garbage on any street, private alley, public right of way or vacant lot. [1162.08( ... d):] No earlier than 6:00 PM on the day preceding a collection day, containers may be placed anywhere on the property except that they cannot be placed within 5 feet of the public right of way. Containers shall be returned to a place no more than five feet from the front, rear or sides of a building no later than 8:00 PM on the collection day.
Full Breakdown
07, Placement of Containers, governs everyday storage. Subsection (b)(1) bars storing a container in front of a building unless there is no access to the rear or sides by easement or right-of-way, in which case the container should go on a porch if possible and the owner must minimize odor and nuisance. Subsection (b)(2) caps normal storage at five feet from the front, rear or sides of the building. Subsection (b)(3) separately bars storing containers for solid waste, ashes, rubbish, manure or garbage on any street, private alley, public right-of-way or vacant lot at any time.
on the collection day itself. Together the two sections require carts to stay screened near the building most of the week and to be pulled back promptly after pickup, rather than left curbside. The rules apply to every occupied premises citywide, residential and commercial, and violations are tracked by the Bureau of Health and the Director of Community and Economic Development's enforcement designees.
Violations & Fines
Violations of the placement and set-out timing rules in Article 1162.07 and 1162.08 fall under the Article 1162.99 penalty schedule: $200 for a first offense, $500 for a second, $1,000 for a third or later offense, with each day the container remains improperly placed counted as a separate offense.
Frequently Asked Questions
How early can I put my trash cart out in Bethlehem?
When do I have to bring my cart back in?
Can I keep my trash can in the front yard?
Is it legal to leave a garbage can on the street or an alley?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Bethlehem
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