Salem, OR Trash & Recycling: Bin Placement Rules (2026)

Sec. 165 governs where and when a resident can set a solid-waste, recycling, or compost cart out for a Salem franchisee to collect. Generally, receptacles can't sit on the street, sidewalk, or another public place unless the Director has approved that location, but the section carves out normal curbside service: mechanical carts have to go to the curb or roadside before pickup, and the generator has to keep the collection point safely accessible so it doesn't put collection workers or drivers at risk. A cart placed in the street itself can't sit more than three feet from the curb, and has to stay within reach of someone standing at or next to the curbline.

Curbside placement is time-limited to a 24-hour window: carts can go out no more than 24 hours before pickup and have to come back in within 24 hours after, so leaving a cart at the curb for days is a violation even between collection cycles. Carts also can't be placed out for collection inside any locked, latched, bolted, or hooked enclosure, since that blocks the hauler's access. Larger commercial containers, one cubic yard or bigger, drop boxes, and roll-off boxes get separate protection: no one may block service access to them.

Multifamily, commercial, and industrial buildings permitted after January 1, 1986 also have to screen their receptacles under Sec. 175 if they sit next to a residential district, and sunken receptacles are barred outright under Sec. 185.