Sacramento, CA Trash & Recycling: Bin Placement Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Set-out window
- No earlier than 12 hrs before pickup
- Pick-up window
- No later than 12 hrs after pickup
- Curb distance
- Within 2 feet of street curb
- Obstruction clearance
- At least 3 feet from obstructions
- Collection hours (residential)
- 6:00 a.m.-7:00/8:00 p.m.
- Violation class
- Infraction, § 13.10.100.E
Summary
Sacramento requires garbage, recycling and organics carts to be grouped at the curb, kept clear of obstructions, and screened from public view except during a narrow collection window. Carts may sit out no more than 12 hours before and after the scheduled pickup day.
A. Containers placed for collection service shall be placed: 1. Together in one location adjacent to the property where collection service is rendered; 2. Within two feet of the street curb or edge of road right-of-way... B. Containers shall be placed for collection service no earlier than twelve (12) hours prior to the scheduled collection day, and shall be removed from the public right-of-way not later than twelve (12) hours after the scheduled collection day. C. ... containers shall be placed out of view from any street, sidewalk, or other public right-of-way by fence, landscaping, building, or other barrier approved by the solid waste manager...
Full Breakdown
100 sets the citywide rule for where and when residential and commercial containers may sit out for city or franchise collection. Containers must be placed together in one location adjacent to the serviced property, within two feet of the street curb or road right-of-way edge and in front of any fence, barrier or enclosure so they stay readily accessible to the collector, and at least three feet from obstructions such as parked cars, trailers, motor homes, fences, lampposts or mailboxes. B limits set-out timing precisely: containers cannot go out earlier than 12 hours before the scheduled collection day and must come back off the public right-of-way no later than 12 hours after it.
C requires containers to be screened from view of any street, sidewalk or public right-of-way by a fence, landscaping, building or other barrier approved by the solid waste manager; storing carts immediately next to the residential building also satisfies the screening requirement. D separately bars placing, keeping or storing any container on a street, sidewalk, alley or public place in a way that impedes traffic or drainage, creates a health or safety hazard, or blocks a doorway. E: black or gray containers take garbage only, blue containers take recyclables only, and green containers take organic waste only, unless the customer has an approved exemption. m. during daylight saving time) of the same day.
Violations & Fines
A violation of § 13.10.100 is an infraction under § 13.10.100.E, enforced by the city's solid waste division. Improper container sorting under § 13.10.070 is likewise punishable as an infraction, with fines set under California Government Code § 36900. Persistent early set-out, late pickup of empty carts, or unscreened storage can draw code-enforcement notices in addition to the infraction citation.
Frequently Asked Questions
How early can I put my trash cart out in Sacramento?
Do I have to hide my trash cans between pickups?
Can my neighbor's parked car block my cart from the collector?
What happens if I mix recyclables into the black garbage cart?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Sacramento
California rules heatmap·Compare Sacramento to another location·View the California trash & recycling overview
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Bin Placement Rules in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Sacramento County handle bin placement rules.