Rochester Hills, MI Trash & Recycling: Bin Placement Rules (2026)

Section 86-30(1) of the Rochester Hills Code sets three storage rules for solid waste at any site of generation: it must be gathered and placed in a closed container or containers sufficient in number and size to hold it, it must be shielded from public view on the property, and it cannot be commingled with yard clippings. That screening requirement means carts and cans need to sit somewhere other than in open view from the street between collection days. Section 86-31(6) controls how long waste, recyclables, yard clippings or the containers holding them may sit at curbside: no more than 24 hours.

The code creates a rebuttable presumption that the owner, lessee or occupant in physical possession of the property abutting the curb placed whatever is sitting there, though that presumption can be rebutted with competent evidence under section 86-31(6)(b) and (c). A licensed waste hauler may refuse to collect material that is not prepared for disposal under the article's rules, per section 86-31(7). Read together, a resident is expected to keep containers out of street view until shortly before the 7:00 a.m.-to-7:00 p.m. weekday collection window in section 86-70 and to bring empty containers back out of sight within 24 hours after pickup, not leave them at the curb for days.