Clifton, NJ Trash & Recycling: Bin Placement Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Max container size
- 35 gallons
- Off-collection-day placement
- Side or rear of house/store/building
- Curbside window
- 5-6 p.m. day before to 12 hrs after empty
- Max penalty
- $1,000 fine per day
Summary
Clifton requires plastic bags or covered receptacles up to a 35-gallon capacity for household and business garbage, and requires them to sit at the side or rear of the house, store or building except during the curbside collection window set by Section 261-10. Receptacle rules run through Sections 261-8 and 261-10B.
§ 261-8. Every one-family dwelling, two-family dwelling and every structure which contains three or more dwelling units, except garden apartments, and every store or place of business where garbage or refuse or other waste materials may accumulate shall have provided for the use of the occupants thereof plastic bags or receptacles of a maximum capacity of 35 gallons, with tight-fitting covers for the top thereof, made of galvanized metal, plastic or other similar firm, waterproof material for receiving of such garbage, refuse or other waste material. ... § 261-10. B. Prior to placing said receptacles at the curb and the removal of the same from the curb in accordance with Subsection A hereof, said receptacles shall be placed on the side of or to the rear of the house, store or building.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4963532; v64 updated 2026-07-21; through 07-21-2026).
Full Breakdown
Section 261-8 requires every one- and two-family dwelling, every structure with three or more units (apart from garden apartments, which follow their own dumpster system), and every store or business generating garbage to keep on hand plastic bags or receptacles topping out at 35 gallons, fitted with tight covers, and made of galvanized metal, plastic or similarly firm, waterproof material. That capacity cap and material standard have stood since a 1983 amendment, Ord. No. 4771-83. Section 261-10 then splits placement into two windows. m. m.
(Daylight Saving Time) the evening before pickup, and must come back off the sidewalk within 12 hours of being emptied. Subsection B, amended by Ord. No. 6959-11 in 2011, governs every other time: before it is time to place receptacles at the curb, and again after they have been removed under Subsection A, the receptacles must sit on the side of or to the rear of the house, store or building, not left visible at the curb or front yard between collections. Together the two rules keep bins out of public view outside a roughly twelve-to-nineteen-hour collection window each week.
Violations & Fines
Keeping a receptacle at the curb or front of the property outside the Section 261-10 collection window, or using containers that exceed the 35-gallon cap or lack tight covers under Section 261-8, is punishable under Section 261-11 by a fine of up to $1,000, with each day of continued noncompliance charged as a separate offense.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where should I keep my garbage cans in Clifton when it's not collection day?
What size garbage can does Clifton require?
Do garden apartments follow the same bin-placement rules?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Clifton
Compare Clifton to another location·View the New Jersey trash & recycling overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.
Bin Placement Rules in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Passaic County handle bin placement rules.