Fort Wayne, IN Trash & Recycling: Bin Placement Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Screening rule
- not visible from the street
- Setback from street wall
- 10 feet minimum
- Early set-out limit
- no earlier than noon before pickup
- Removal deadline
- noon the day after pickup
- Storage-location fine
- $50 per day (§ 50.99(C))
Summary
Between collection days, Fort Wayne requires garbage and recycling carts to be stored out of street view, set back at least ten feet from the street side of the house, and never blocking a sidewalk or alley.
Between days of regular collection for solid waste items, the owner, occupant or agent for any commercial or residential property shall cause all refuse (including yard waste and bulky waste), recyclables (excluding leaves placed curbside as a part of the city's fall leaf collection) to be bundled, bagged or contained and stored on such property at a location which is not visible from the street. Compost piles, if any, on such properties shall be sheltered from street view. Garbage and recycling containers and carts provided by the city shall be stored between days of regular collection on the side of the principal structure on the property a minimum of ten feet back from the street side of such structure. No refuse or recyclables shall be stored and no compost pile shall be constructed at any location which impedes pedestrian or vehicular traffic on, over, through or along sidewalks, alleys, streets or other public rights-of-way. Garbage and recycling carts and containers which are located in alleys to facilitate alley collection may be stored in the alley provided such storage does not impede pedestrian or vehicular traffic in or along such alley and/or public right-of-way. (Ord. G-24-96, passed 10-8-96; Am. Ord. G-38-07, passed 12-18- 07; Am. Ord. G- 21-10, passed 12-14-10; Am. Ord. G-18-26, passed 7-14-26) Penalty, see § 50.99
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-60: Supplement contains: Local legislation current through Ord. G-19-26, passed 7-14-26, and Res. 83-19, passed 12-17-19 State legislation current through Legislative Service, 2025 Acts, Pamphlet No. 3).
Full Breakdown
City-issued carts and other refuse containers must sit at a spot on the property not visible from the street between collection days, positioned on the side of the principal structure at least ten feet back from the street-facing wall. Compost piles must also be shielded from street view. Nothing may be stored where it blocks pedestrian or vehicular traffic on sidewalks, alleys, streets or rights-of-way, though carts may sit in an alley if collection happens there and traffic isn't blocked. Under the companion set-out section (§ 50.06), carts go out no earlier than noon the day before collection and must come back in by noon the day after.
Violations & Fines
Violating the storage-location rule under § 50.05 carries a $50-per-day fine under § 50.99(C); violating the set-out timing rule under § 50.06 carries a $100-per-day fine under § 50.99(D). Enforcement runs through Neighborhood Code Enforcement and the Fort Wayne Police Department.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I keep my trash cart by the curb all week?
Can carts sit in the alley?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Fort Wayne
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