Rio Rancho, NM Trash & Recycling: Bin Placement Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Earliest set-out
- 7:00 p.m. night before
- Latest set-out
- 7:00 a.m. collection day
- Curb distance
- Within 3 feet of street
- Removal deadline
- Within 12 hours of pickup
Summary
Rio Rancho, New Mexico residents in this Sandoval County city must set trash carts at the curb no earlier than 7 p.m. the night before pickup and no later than 7 a.m. on collection day, then pull emptied carts back within 12 hours.
All residential containers, other than at a qualified physically disabled resident, shall be placed for pickup no later than 7:00 a.m. on the regularly scheduled day, but no earlier than 7:00 p.m. the evening prior to pickup, unless otherwise authorized by the Sanitation Officer. Except where special circumstances warrant otherwise and where approved by the city, all collections made by contractor for other than a qualified physically disabled resident, shall be made at curbside and containers must be no farther than three feet from the driving surface of the street. Containers shall be clearly visible and accessible to collection vehicles, and with three feet clearance from any obstructions including but not limited to trees, shrubbery, walls, fences, and vehicles. All emptied containers shall be removed from the curb area within 12 hours of collection.
(b) Residential collection frequency. Solid waste and recyclable materials from all residential premises shall be collected and disposed of once per week.
(B) Commercial collection.
(1) Commercial container required; maintenance. Containers shall meet the following specifications and be maintained in the specified manner:
(a)
Full Breakdown
Section 50.07(A)(3)(a) of the Rio Rancho, New Mexico solid waste code sets the window for residential collection: carts go out no earlier than 7:00 p.m. the evening before the scheduled day and no later than 7:00 a.m. that morning, placed at curbside within three feet of the street's driving surface and clear of trees, walls, fences, or parked vehicles. Once the contractor empties them, residents in this Sandoval County city must remove the containers from the curb within 12 hours.
Violations & Fines
Section 50.07(A)(1)(d) lets a code enforcement officer give ten days' written notice for a container violation before ordering corrective action; general code violations elsewhere in the city carry up to a $500 fine and/or 90 days in jail under § 10.99.
Frequently Asked Questions
How early can I put my trash cart out in Rio Rancho?
How long can the empty cart sit at the curb?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Rio Rancho
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