Marin County, CA Trash & Recycling: Bin Placement Rules (2026)

100 of the Marin County Code sets the physical standard for every collection container used in the unincorporated county. Subsection (A) requires the container to be built of metal or an approved plastic, with a tight-fitting cover, so that garbage, recyclables and organic materials cannot spill, leak, smell, or let insects or vermin reach the contents; the county or its authorized collector approves the specific container design used countywide. Subsection (B) requires the container and its lid to be kept clean, and bars removing the cover except to add or empty waste.

Subsection (C) is the placement rule: carts cannot be kept in or on any public street, sidewalk, footpath, or other public place at any time, except when the authorized collector is removing and emptying them on the day and in the location designated for collection. The rest of the time, the container has to stay on the resident's own property. Subsection (D) adds a nuisance and sanitation backstop: however waste is stored on a property, it cannot be handled in a way that attracts or harbors vectors like rats and flies or creates a nuisance, and the area immediately around every container has to be kept clean, safe and sanitary. These rules, adopted by Ordinance No. 00 inspection and citation process.