Ontario, CA Trash & Recycling: Bin Placement Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Section
- OMC § 6-3.308
- Set-out window
- Evening before through 6 a.m. collection day
- Removal
- By evening of collection day
- Location order
- Alley first, then curb, then ROW 3 ft clear
- Blocked object
- 2nd notice = impoundment, owner billed
Summary
Ontario Municipal Code Section 6-3.308 tells residents exactly when and where to put out trash, recycling and green waste carts: by 6 a.m. on collection day, no earlier than the evening before, and removed by the evening after. Carts go along a usable alley if one exists, otherwise at the curb or three feet clear of mailboxes and obstructions. Objects that block collection can be tagged and, after a second notice, impounded.
Residential, non-organic waste, recycling, and green waste carts shall be placed for collection by 6:00 a.m. on the scheduled collection day, but not prior to the evening preceding the collection day. Carts shall be removed no later than the evening after collection day. Such carts shall be placed for collection along the alley where a useable alley exists. Where there is no useable alley, such carts shall be placed for collection near the street curb. Where no curbs or walks exist, such carts shall be placed in a location convenient for collection along the street right-of-way, and at least three (3) feet from any mailboxes, cars, or any other obstructions for safety and efficiency.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-32: Current through Ordinance 3338, passed 7-21-2026).
Full Breakdown
on the scheduled collection day, but not prior to the evening preceding the collection day, and carts shall be removed no later than the evening after collection day. Placement location follows a strict hierarchy: along the alley where a useable alley exists, or if there is no usable alley, near the street curb, or where there are no curbs or walks, in a location convenient for collection along the street right-of-way, and at least three feet from any mailboxes, cars, or any other obstructions for safety and efficiency.
Anything that blocks the Integrated Waste Collector from reaching a cart, the code gives a basketball hoop as its own example, is reported to Code Enforcement under subsection (b). Code Enforcement tags the obstruction with a notice of violation requiring immediate removal, and a second notice for the same object lets the City impound it without further warning, billing the property owner for storage and impoundment fees. 401(a). Subsection (d) also puts the burden on the customer to keep entry and exit clear and to provide enough turning radius and vertical and horizontal clearance for the collection truck and equipment.
Violations & Fines
A cart placed too early, too late, or in a blocked location gets tagged and skipped under Section 6-3.308(c), and the resident pays a special collection fee under Section 6-3.401(a) to get it picked up before the next scheduled day. A second notice for the same obstructing object lets the City impound it, with the owner billed for all storage and impoundment costs.
Frequently Asked Questions
What time do trash carts need to be out in Ontario?
Where am I supposed to put my cart if I don't have an alley?
What happens if something blocks my cart from being collected?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Ontario
California rules heatmap·Compare Ontario to another location·View the California trash & recycling overview
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Bin Placement Rules in Nearby Cities
How other cities in San Bernardino County handle bin placement rules.