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

There is no countywide set-out rule, so unincorporated households follow their private hauler's contract for cart timing and location. Inside Elkhart the contracted service sets clear standards: place your cart within three feet of the curb or street edge, keep two feet of clearance from parked cars, poles, mailboxes and trees, and keep the lid closed. Elkhart's code defines an approved container as a lidded receptacle no larger than 99 gallons, kept leak-proof and animal-proof. Carts go out the collection morning and come back the same day; storing them out of view between pickups avoids nuisance complaints.