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

060 of the municipal code governs where and when solid waste, recycling and organic waste containers may sit on a City of Sonoma property. Except for residents physically unable to do so, every receptacle other than bins and debris boxes must be placed and maintained at the curb or edge of roadway in a spot readily accessible to the city's solid waste collector ahead of the scheduled pickup time. The rule sets a firm window: carts may go out no earlier than the day before the scheduled collection and must come back in before 12:00 midnight on collection day itself.

Outside that narrow window, the same containers must be kept in a location screened from view from the public right-of-way, meaning a driveway, side yard or enclosure out of sight from the street rather than left curbside between pickups. 050, which requires receptacles of 20 to 90 gallons with close-fitting lids kept shut except when being filled or emptied, and requires owners to keep containers clean and free of grease. 170, and the underlying container and collection scheme was last substantively amended by Ordinance 12-2021 when the city adopted its mandatory organics program.