Chattanooga, TN Trash & Recycling: Bin Placement Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Manual pickup
- Within 5 ft of street
- Mechanical carts
- Within 2 ft of curb
- Clearance
- 3 ft from mailboxes/poles
- Vehicle clearance
- 20 ft from parked cars
- Timing
- No set-out before scheduled day
Summary
Chattanooga sets exact placement rules for curbside cans, within 5 feet of a driveway or street for manual pickup, within 2 feet of the curb for mechanical carts, and bars putting trash out before the scheduled pickup day.
All material shall be placed for pick-up on the day scheduled for pick-up in the particular area. No material shall be placed for pick-up before the day scheduled.(b)Special containers for the mechanical pick-up system shall be placed in a location suitable for mechanical pick-up. Generally, this shall be within two (2) feet of the curb or edge of pavement, at least three (3) feet from obstructions such as mail boxes, fences, utility poles, and other garbage containers, and at least twenty (20) feet from any vehicle parked along the street. The Director or his designee may designate specific locations for such containers when reasonably necessary to facilitate mechanical pick-up. (Code 1986, § 18-33; Ord. No. 10421, § 4, 5-28-96; Ord. No. 12260, §§ 1, 5, 6-16-09Ord. No. 13385, § 1, 10-16-18)
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 40 Update 1).
Full Breakdown
Sec. 18-33 tells residents where and when to set out containers. Cans for manual collection go within 5 feet of a driveway or street, clear of the travel lane, where collectors can reach them without confronting animals. Special mechanical-pickup containers go within 2 feet of the curb or pavement edge, at least 3 feet from mailboxes, fences, or utility poles, and at least 20 feet from any parked vehicle. Material can't go out before the scheduled pickup day for that area, and the Director may set special locations for residents who are elderly or have disabilities.
Violations & Fines
Placing containers outside these distance and timing rules is a Chapter 18 misdemeanor under Sec. 18-8, fined $10 to $50, and the Director can refuse pickup for non-compliant placement.
Frequently Asked Questions
How close to the curb does my trash can need to be in Chattanooga?
Can I put my trash can out the night before pickup in Chattanooga?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Chattanooga
Compare Chattanooga to another location·View the Tennessee trash & recycling overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.