Alachua County, FL Trash & Recycling: Bin Placement Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Earliest set-out
- 5:00 p.m. the day before collection
- Must remove by
- 9:00 p.m. on collection day
- Post-collection distance
- 15 feet from curb, or off the right-of-way
- Bulk items
- May set out 24 hours before, kept separate
- Non-compliance
- County may remove after 7-day notice and bill owner
- Penalty
- Up to $500 fine / 60 days jail (§ 10.08)
Summary
Unincorporated Alachua County residents may not set solid waste or recycling containers at the curb before 5 p.m. the day before collection, and must pull them back at least 15 feet from the curb, or off the right-of-way, by 9 p.m. on collection day. Bulk items follow a separate 24-hour window.
(d) Placement of receptacles. No earlier than 5:00 p.m. on the day preceding the scheduled collection day, an owner or occupant of residential property in the universal area or in the non-universal area shall place such solid waste receptacles and recycling containers at the curbside/roadside, but shall not place the receptacles or containers where they obstruct a road, alley, thoroughfare, bike lane, or sidewalk, unless prior written approval is provided by the department. No later than 9:00 p.m. of the day of collection, the owner or occupant of residential property in the universal area or in the non-universal area shall remove the solid waste receptacles and recycling containers and shall place them at least 15 feet away from the curbside/roadside or out of the public right-of-way, whichever is a greater distance from the edge of the road.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 63).
Full Breakdown
301(d) governs placement of receptacles for both universal-area and non-universal-area residential property. on the day preceding the scheduled collection day, and the receptacles or containers may not obstruct a road, alley, thoroughfare, bike lane, or sidewalk unless the department gives prior written approval. on the day of collection, the owner or occupant must remove the receptacles and containers and store them at least 15 feet from the curbside/roadside or entirely out of the public right-of-way, whichever is the greater distance. 301(e), may be placed at curbside no earlier than 24 hours before the scheduled collection day, and they must be kept apart from garbage and recyclable materials and may not obstruct roads, alleys, thoroughfares, bike lanes, or sidewalks absent written departmental approval.
301(a)(5), the county may require an owner to remove solid waste, yard waste, or bulk items placed at the curb in violation of these timing rules, and may remove and bill the owner for the removal and disposal if the owner does not comply within 7 days of written notice.
Violations & Fines
A violation of the placement timing rules is enforceable under Section 75.501, punishable as provided in Section 10.08, a fine of up to $500.00, up to 60 days in the county jail, or both, through the Chapter 24 code enforcement mechanism. If materials are left out in violation and not removed within 7 days of written notice, the county may remove them itself and bill the owner for the removal and disposal costs under Section 75.301(a)(5).
Frequently Asked Questions
How early can I put my trash cans out at the curb in Alachua County?
When do I need to bring my cans back in after pickup?
Can I set my cans on the sidewalk if there's no other space?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Alachua County
Florida rules heatmap·Compare Alachua County to another location·View the Florida trash & recycling overview
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