Queen Anne's County, MD Trash & Recycling: Bin Placement Rules (2026)

Section 25-19 of the Queen Anne's County Code answers where the cart or can goes on collection day. Refuse receptacles shall be placed for collection on the curb of the property, on the shoulder of the road, or along the alleyways if the residence fronts on the alley and if the location is accessible by the collection vehicles. Subsection B adds a safety limit: receptacles shall be placed in such a manner that does not impede traffic or endanger the safety of the public. A can set where it blocks a lane, a sightline, or a shoulder used by traffic fails that standard.

The receptacles themselves are regulated in § 25-17. Garbage receptacles shall be made of metal or plastic, be watertight with a tight-fitting cover, be kept clean, neat, and sanitary at all times, and have a capacity of not more than 30 gallons (113.6 liters). Ash receptacles shall be made of metal with a capacity of not more than 12 gallons (45.4 liters). Rubbish receptacles shall be of a type that can be easily handled by one man, and all receptacles need suitable handles and good condition. The Director of Public Works can authorize plastic and paper bag systems where they are not subject to frequent attack by animals and where closure of overfilled bags is not often faulty.

A damaged or nonconforming receptacle is dealt with by tag. Under § 25-17 B, a receptacle that does not conform, or that has ragged or sharp edges or another defect liable to hamper or injure the person collecting its contents, shall be promptly replaced upon notice, given by tagging the container. Failure to comply can result in refusal to collect or removal of the defective receptacle as refuse.

Timing is covered in § 25-18 A(2)(c): a person may not permit receptacles to remain on curbs, road shoulders, or alleyways beyond the day of collection. Only the collector or the occupants of the premises can remove covers or contents from receptacles under § 25-18 A(2)(d). Garbage is collected at least once each week in a solid waste subdistrict providing service (§ 25-22), and the Director can set days of collection under § 25-4 B.

The Department of Public Works administers these rules in unincorporated Queen Anne's County, including Kent Island, Stevensville, Chester, and Grasonville. Centreville, Queenstown, and the other incorporated towns follow their own codes.