Muncie, IN Trash & Recycling: Bin Placement Rules (2026)

Section 52.10(A) requires every owner, occupant, or lessee of a residential, business, or commercial building to keep litter collection and storage areas clean and to place all litter in litter containers. On designated collection days, containers must sit on the alley line, or, where an alley is not used for collection, adjacent to the street in a neat, orderly, and sanitary manner (section 52.10(A)(1)). Containers cannot go out earlier than the evening before the collection day, must be removed from the collection site within 12 hours after being emptied, and must be stored on the premises so they are not visible from any street (section 52.10(A)(2)).

Litter that could be moved by wind or weather must be secured so it cannot leave the premises (section 52.10(B)), and owners must keep sidewalks and alleys adjacent to their property free of litter (section 52.10(C)). Enforcement runs through the department of public works, which investigates complaints and refers violations to the department of law (section 52.46); before any penalty proceeding the property owner or occupant gets ten days' written notice to fix the violation, except for certain fast-track violations or an immediate health danger (section 52.47), after which the city can abate the condition itself and place a lien for its costs (section 52.48).

Section 52.99 sets the fine at up to $2,500.00 per offense, with each day of noncompliance a separate offense, though a person who admits the violation within five days can instead pay $25.00 plus court costs.