Sonoma County, CA Trash & Recycling: Bin Placement Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Curb placement
- Required for collection, § 22-5(a)
- Off-collection storage
- No street/alley right-of-way
- Container area size
- 10' × 7.5' × 6' minimum
- Screening trigger
- 15,000 sq ft or 7+ bed multifamily
- First-offense fine
- $100, rising to $500
Summary
In unincorporated Sonoma County, single-family homes must set garbage, recycling and organics carts at the curb or roadside for collection under County Code § 22-5, and larger commercial or multi-family sites must build a screened, sized container area under § 22-10(c).
Containers shall be placed at the curb/roadside for collection unless a county franchisee agrees to collect such containers from an alternative location due to the disability of a customer. Except for containers placed at the curb/roadside for collection, containers, including any recyclable containers, or organics containers, shall not be placed or allowed to remain in or on any street or alley right-of-way unless authorized by the department.(b)All Other Premises. Containers shall be placed in a location that is easily accessible for collection, to be decided between the owner or occupant and an authorized county franchisee. (Ord. No. 6361, § II(Exh. A), 11-16-2021)
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 64 Update 2).
Full Breakdown
Sonoma County Code § 22-5 requires single-family residences to set solid waste, recycling and organics carts at the curb or roadside for collection; carts may not sit in the street or alley right-of-way otherwise, unless the franchise hauler approves an alternate pickup point for a disabled customer. Commercial buildings of 15,000 square feet or more, multi-family housing with seven or more bedrooms, and any site generating a cubic yard of waste weekly must provide a screened container area under § 22-10(c): at least 10 feet wide, 7½ feet deep and 6 feet high, reached by a 12-foot access road with a 32-foot turnaround for the collection truck.
Violations & Fines
A first violation of Chapter 22 draws a $100 fine, a second $200, and a third or subsequent violation $500 per violation, under § 22-24(f).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I leave my trash cart at the curb all week in unincorporated Sonoma County?
Does this apply inside the City of Sonoma or Santa Rosa?
What size container area does a commercial building need?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Sonoma County
California rules heatmap·Compare Sonoma County to another location·View the California trash & recycling overview
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