Champaign, IL Trash & Recycling: Bin Placement Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Set-out window
- 3:00 p.m. day before to 8:00 p.m. pickup day
- Minimum container size
- 6 gallons, covered and rodent-proof
- Removal frequency
- At least once a week
- First-offense settlement
- $25.00 within 7 days, $50.00 after
- Repeat-offense fines
- $100/$200/$400 for 2nd-4th violation
- Enforcing office
- Public Works Director or designee
Summary
Champaign bars single- and two-family households from leaving trash containers at the curb outside a set window: containers may go out starting at 3:00 p.m. the day before pickup and must come off the right-of-way by 8:00 p.m. on pickup day. Receptacles must be covered, rodent-proof, and hold at least six gallons. Public Works enforces the rule with failure-to-comply tickets.
Each owner, each owner's agent and each occupant of any structure shall provide for the daily disposal of litter resulting from the use of said structure in receptacles of galvanized iron, impact resistant plastic, painted steel or aluminum and of a minimum size of six (6) gallons. Each receptacle shall be equipped with a close fitting cover, watertight and capable of keeping out flies, shall be rodent-proof and shall be kept closed except when being filled, emptied or cleaned.... Trash containers for single and two-family dwellings, other than dumpsters which shall be regulated by paragraph (a) above, shall not be placed on the City right-of-way except during the following times: from 3:00 p.m. on the day preceding the day of scheduled garbage pick-up for said containers until 8:00 p.m. on the date of said scheduled pick-up.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 80).
Full Breakdown
on pickup day itself. Dumpsters are treated separately under Section 15-19(a)-(b) and are not covered by this timing rule. Section 15-16(a) sets the container standard behind every cart: each owner, agent, or occupant must keep litter in receptacles of galvanized iron, impact-resistant plastic, painted steel, or aluminum holding at least six gallons, fitted with a close-fitting, watertight, rodent-proof cover that stays closed except while being filled, emptied, or cleaned. Under Section 15-16(c), the contents must be removed at least once a week, or more often if the Champaign-Urbana Public Health District or the Public Works Director orders it to address unsanitary conditions, and residential properties must use a licensed commercial hauler for that removal.
The Public Works Director or a designee enforces Chapter 15 under Section 15-2, and can issue a failure-to-comply ticket under Section 15-4 to anyone violating the placement window or container standard. 00 after the seventh day but before a court complaint is filed, per Section 15-5(c). 00. 00 per offense, or public-service work.
Violations & Fines
Leaving a cart at the curb before 3:00 p.m. the day before pickup, or past 8:00 p.m. on pickup day, or using an uncovered or undersized receptacle, draws a failure-to-comply ticket from the Public Works Director. First offense settles for $25.00 within seven days or $50.00 after; repeat violations at the same address within twelve months climb to $100.00, $200.00, and $400.00. Unresolved tickets go to Circuit Court under the Section 1-21 general penalty, up to $750.00 per offense.
Frequently Asked Questions
What time can I put my trash cart at the curb in Champaign?
What kind of trash container does the City require?
What's the fine for leaving my cart out too long?
Sources & Official References
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