Smithtown, NY Trash & Recycling: Bin Placement Rules (2026)

Section 177-18 of the Solid Waste Management Law governs ownership and handling of curbside materials. Subsection A vests ownership of all solid waste in the Town of Smithtown, or its authorized agent, the moment it is placed at the curb, street line, or within a Town-owned easement paralleling a road, which is why unauthorized scavenging of set-out materials is separately barred under Subsection C. Subsection F, added by Local Law No. 11-1993, fixes the placement window: receptacles may go out no more than 12 hours before the scheduled pickup and must come in no later than 12 hours after pickup, and between those windows they must be stored away from public view so they do not create unsightliness or public blight.

Receptacles for pickup must be placed at the house's street address frontage, tying set-out location to the specific parcel being served. The rule works together with § 177-19, which separately bans underground storage receptacles for solid waste, and § 177-17's requirement that all acceptable waste collected in Town be delivered only to a Town Board-designated solid waste management facility, with any change in that designation requiring 10 days' advance notice.