St. Louis County, MO Trash & Recycling: Bin Placement Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Setback
- 3 ft behind main residential structure
- Curb time
- No earlier than dusk day before
- Return
- Same day as collection
- Bag size
- 20-35 gal
- Neighbor's bin
- Prohibited without consent (§607.100)
Summary
St. Louis County treats a trash container as something that lives behind the house. SLCRO §607.120 requires containers to be stored on the premises where the trash was generated and at least 3 feet behind the main residential structure. For pickup they may go to the curb no earlier than dusk on the day before the regularly scheduled collection day, and they must be returned to their storage place on the same day as collection.
Sec. 607.120. — Trash containers must be stored on the premises where trash was generated and be stored at least three (3) feet behind the main residential structure. For pick-up, containers must be placed at the curb no earlier than dusk of the day prior to the regularly scheduled trash collection day. Containers must be returned to their appropriate storage places on the same day as collection.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 85 | Traffic: Supplement 80).
Full Breakdown
The section fixes a place, a start time, and a deadline. The place is the property that produced the waste, so cans cannot be parked on a neighbor's lot or an adjoining vacant parcel, and they must sit at least 3 feet behind the main residential structure rather than tucked along the front wall. The start time is dusk on the day before your regular collection day, which makes set out an evening act rather than a multi day one. The deadline is collection day itself, so a can still standing at the curb the following morning is out of compliance even though the truck came on schedule.
Container standards fill in the rest. Containers must be galvanized metal, rubber or fiberglass, or non-absorbent plastic, or else single use plastic bags of 20 to 35 gallons. Everything except bags must have handles. Containers have to be leak-proof, waterproof, fly-tight, and properly covered, and the storage area itself must be kept clean, neat, odor free and sanitary. 100.
Violations & Fines
Enforcement starts with a Notice of Violation and fines run up to $1,000. A county recycling cart can be reclaimed by the county.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I leave the can at the curb all week?
Can I use my neighbor's bin if mine is full?
Can I store the cans beside the front of my garage?
Are bags allowed instead of a rigid can?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in St. Louis County
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