Fort Worth, TX Trash & Recycling: Bin Placement Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Earliest set-out
- 6:00 p.m. day before collection
- Latest set-out
- 7:00 a.m. on collection day
- Must be removed by
- 11:59:59 p.m. collection day
- Side clearance required
- 2 feet from obstructions
- Rear clearance required
- 0.5 feet from obstructions
- 96-gallon cart weight cap
- 250 pounds
- Missed pickup report deadline
- 7:00 p.m. next day
Summary
Fort Worth requires carts to hit the curb no earlier than 6:00 p.m. the night before pickup and no later than 7:00 a.m. on collection day, then come back in by midnight, under City Code § 12.5-825. Carts need two feet of clearance on each side and a half foot to the rear from meters, hydrants and trees.
(a) Garbage carts, plastic bags including pay bags and violation bag tags, recycling carts, kraft bags, yard trimming carts, small bundled brush and brush shall be placed at the curb no later than 7:00 a.m. on the scheduled collection day as determined by the director, and no earlier than 6:00 p.m. on the day preceding the scheduled collection day. All carts and plastic bags, including pay bags and violation bag tags, shall be removed from the curb, and from public sight, by 11:59:59 p.m. of the scheduled collection day unless a missed collection is reported to the solid waste customer service section in accordance with subsection (f) below. ... (c) Carts shall be placed for collection at the curb: (3) With a minimum clearance of two feet to each side of the cart and a half foot to the rear of the cart from any fence, gas or water meter, fire hydrant, utility pole, utility box, tree or shrub that could be damaged by collection equipment or other collection container, bundles of brush or other obstruction. (d) Carts placed for collection shall not exceed the following weights when loaded: 32-gallon cart 150 pounds; 64-gallon cart 200 pounds; 96-gallon cart 250 pounds.
Full Breakdown
of collection day unless a missed pickup is reported. Subsection (b) bars placing carts, bags or brush in the street, alley, sidewalk or on a vacant lot. Subsection (c) requires lids closed, hinges facing away from the street, and a minimum two-foot side clearance and half-foot rear clearance from any fence, gas or water meter, fire hydrant, utility pole or box, tree or shrub that collection equipment could damage. Subsection (d) caps loaded cart weight: 150 pounds for a 32-gallon cart, 200 pounds for a 64-gallon cart, and 250 pounds for a 96-gallon cart. the following day, or the resident must pull all carts and bags back until the next scheduled collection day.
Violations & Fines
Section 12.5-825(g) makes it an offense to place a cart, garbage bag, kraft bag, small bundled brush or brush in violation of the section, or to allow such material to remain on your property once improperly placed. Subsection (h) separately makes it an offense to block, or allow to remain blocked, access to a cart already placed at the curb for collection.
Frequently Asked Questions
How early can I put my trash cart out in Fort Worth?
When do I have to bring my empty cart back in?
How much clearance does my cart need from my fence or meter?
How much can I load into a 96-gallon cart?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Fort Worth
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