Houston, TX Trash & Recycling: Bin Placement Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Earliest set-out
- 6:00 p.m. day before pickup
- Collection begins
- 7:00 a.m.
- Must remove
- After crew passes site
- Storage rule
- Not visible from street right-of-way
- Enforced by
- Chief solid waste officer / Solid Waste Mgmt Dept.
Summary
Houston requires garbage and recycling carts to be stored out of street view until pickup day, placed at the curbline no earlier than 6 p.m. the night before, and removed once the truck has passed.
It shall be unlawful to place or to allow to remain any materials at the curbline for basic garbage collection service by the division prior to 6:00 p.m. of the day preceding a day designated by the chief solid waste officer for basic garbage collection service at that location. Basic garbage collection service shall commence at 7:00 a.m. on the day designated by the chief solid waste officer. It shall be unlawful to place or allow to remain any materials at the curbline on a designated collection day after division collection service personnel have passed the site for that day.
Full Breakdown
City code requires automated garbage and recycling containers be stored where they cannot be seen from the public street right-of-way, except when set out for collection, under Code of Ordinances § 39-62(g). Materials may not be placed at the curbline before 6:00 p.m. the evening before the scheduled pickup day, and basic collection begins at 7:00 a.m. It is unlawful to leave containers at the curb on a designated collection day after the division's crew has already passed the site; the chief solid waste officer sets the weekly schedule and may designate alley collection or one-side-of-street placement on narrow or corner-lot streets.
Violations & Fines
Setting carts at the curb before 6:00 p.m. the day before pickup, or leaving them out after the truck has passed, is unlawful; storing containers visible from the street outside those windows also violates § 39-62(g).
Frequently Asked Questions
When can I put my garbage cart out in Houston?
Do I have to hide my trash cart the rest of the week?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Houston
Texas rules heatmap·Compare Houston to another location·View the Texas trash & recycling overview
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Bin Placement Rules in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Harris County handle bin placement rules.