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

28's implementation of SB 1383 and WMA Ordinance 2021-02, sets the placement rule for the three-cart system Oakland uses for single-family mixed material (landfill), recycling, and compost service. readily accessible to the collector') must move their carts to the curb or streetside only on their scheduled collection day, and the placement cannot block a driveway, sidewalk, or street, the code names all three obstructions specifically. After the hauler empties the containers, the section requires they be 'timely returned to their normal storage area,' so leaving empty carts at the curb for days is itself a violation, not just early or late set-out.

A narrow exception lets a resident get 'written permission of the Director' to keep a container on public property rather than private storage, but absent that permission the default is private-property storage between collection days. The rule covers all three carts together, since mixed material, recycling, and compost containers are addressed as 'the containers' in the same sentence. 300 designates only for the commercial and multi-family generator sections, not the single-family placement rule. 150, makes it unlawful to place solid waste anywhere in the City except as this Chapter allows, reinforcing that curbside placement outside the permitted day and location is itself a separate offense.