Santa Maria, CA Trash & Recycling: Bin Placement Rules (2026)

Container placement for unincorporated Santa Barbara County customers is governed by the County's franchise hauler, MarBorg Industries, rather than a separate County placement ordinance. MarBorg's residential collection rules direct customers to 'place wheeled carts to the curb no later than 6:00 a.m. on collection day,' and provide that 'containers must be removed from the roadway within twelve (12) hours after collection.' Carts come in 35-, 64-, and 96-gallon sizes for trash, recycling, and green/organic waste. For customers who use optional backyard (walk-up) collection rather than curbside, the containers cannot exceed 60 pounds total weight and must remain in the same location each pickup day so crews can find them. Although MarBorg's published page does not specify an exact spacing distance between carts or clearance from cars, mailboxes, and low wires, automated side-loader trucks generally need carts placed at the curb with clear space around them and away from parked vehicles and obstacles; customers should follow any spacing guidance in their zone's customer resource guide. In commercial and multifamily settings, the Land Use & Development Code (Section 35.24.050) additionally requires trash enclosures that screen containers from public view. For specific placement questions, customers can use MarBorg's service-schedule lookup or call (805) 963-1852.