North Hempstead, NY Trash & Recycling: Bin Placement Rules (2026)

Under North Hempstead Code § 34-3, no private receptacle, can, plastic bag or debris may be placed at the curb, or anywhere within a town, county or state right-of-way, before sunset immediately prior to the day of a scheduled pickup, and everything must be removed from the curb no later than sunrise on the day following that pickup. The rule loosens for a nonscheduled or commercial haul: if a property owner has arranged a special or commercial pickup instead of the regular route, the items may sit at the curb for up to 24 hours rather than the sunset-to-sunrise window.

The code also carves out a seasonal exception for leaf and yard debris: from October 1 through December 31 each year, cans or plastic bags holding yard waste are exempt from the timing restriction altogether, recognizing the volume generated during fall cleanup. The section sits in Chapter 34, Article I (Litter), which the Town Board most recently amended by Local Law No. 12-1999. Property owners and occupants also carry an ongoing duty under § 34-10 to keep their premises free of litter at all times, except for material lawfully stored in an authorized receptacle awaiting collection, and § 34-4 requires that anything placed for pickup be secured so wind or weather cannot scatter it into the street or onto neighboring property before the hauler arrives.