National City, CA Trash & Recycling: Bin Placement Rules (2026)

Two sections of Chapter 7.10 of the National City Municipal Code control where a trash container stands and when. Section 7.10.120 sets the clock. Between refuse collection days all containers must be kept on private property. No container can be placed at the curb or alley or within any public right-of-way before four p.m. on the day prior to scheduled collection, and containers must be removed before noon on the day following collection day. Section 7.10.110.B sets the location: rubbish and garbage to be collected must be placed within ten feet of the curbline of the public street, or within ten feet of the surfaced portion of the street if there is no curb. For pickup from a public alley, the receptacle must sit within ten feet of the edge of the alley right-of-way. In no case can a receptacle be placed within or upon a street or alley roadway, or upon any sidewalk in a manner that would interfere with pedestrians.

When the curb is the obstacle, Section 7.10.110.C lets the city engineer issue permits to cut a portion of curb so receptacles can be moved into the street for collection where no other access is available. Section 7.10.040.C keeps receptacles in the rear of the premises except when they are placed on the street or alley for collection under Section 7.10.120, and Section 7.10.040.B requires the storage area to comply with Land Use Code regulations and be screened from view from public ways and adjoining lots. Section 7.10.110.A adds that on-site enclosures and receptacles cannot be placed within a required yard area, within ten feet of any dwelling unit window or within five feet of any combustible wall.

Care after pickup is also required. Under Section 7.10.130, persons who place containers in a public right-of-way are responsible for cleaning up spillage or debris from the placement or the collection. Section 7.10.050.G requires garbage receptacles to be kept covered, and Section 7.10.160 makes it unlawful to hinder collectors' access to containers. Short-term rentals get a different clock in Section 6.30.080.F: trash cannot be left in public view except at a designated collection location from sunset on the day prior to pickup until up to midnight on the day designated for pickup.