Mesa County, CO Trash & Recycling: Bin Placement Rules (2026)

Mesa County Public Health adopted the Rubbish, Refuse, and Garbage Rule (No. § 25-1-506 and § 25-1-518 to keep waste from feeding rodents and insects and spreading disease. 01 requires rubbish, garbage and other organic waste be stored and disposed of in a clean, sanitary and safe manner, and makes the occupant responsible for the cleanliness of the cans and containers themselves. 02 sets the physical standard for the containers: rodent-proof, insect-proof, water-tight, structurally sound enough to withstand normal handling, easy to fill, empty and clean, and fitted with tight-fitting covers or similar closures, maintained clean and sanitary at all times.

The rule also addresses a common workaround: plastic bags may line a can or container, but a plastic bag cannot be used by itself, without a rigid container, to store garbage or rubbish on the property. 03 further requires that the total capacity of all cans and containers on a property be enough to hold everyone's waste from one scheduled collection until the next. Violations are investigated by Code Compliance Services or Mesa County Public Health under Section V following a complaint or staff observation, and the county Board of Public Health can pursue civil or criminal enforcement and nuisance-abatement costs under Section VI.