Sterling Heights, MI Trash & Recycling: Bin Placement Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Out by
- 7:00 a.m. on collection day
- Earliest set-out
- 1:00 p.m. day before
- Friday cutoff
- 3:00 p.m.
- Empty cart removal
- within 10 hours
Summary
Carts must reach the curb by 7:00 a.m. on collection day and can't go out before 1:00 p.m. the day before, or 3:00 p.m. Fridays, and empty carts have to come back off the curb within ten hours of pickup.
It shall be the responsibility of all persons to have their refuse, recycling, and/or yard waste at the point of curbside collection by 7:00 a.m. of the day specified for collection. No refuse, recycling, and/or yard waste shall be placed at the curb or street for collection prior to 1:00 p.m. the afternoon before the scheduled collection day or after 3:00 p.m. on Fridays.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-46: Local legislation current through Ord. 509, passed 5-19-26).
Full Breakdown
Section 23-9 times out curbside collection for refuse, recycling, and yard waste carts. Residents can't set carts at the curb before 1:00 p.m. the afternoon before their collection day, or after 3:00 p.m. on Fridays, and carts need to be at the curb by 7:00 a.m. the morning of pickup. During the rest of the week, refuse, recycling, and yard waste have to be stored inside a building or in an approved receptacle. Once the contractor empties a cart, the owner or occupant must pull it back from the curb into the storage area within ten hours, no leaving empty carts sitting curbside between collection days.
Violations & Fines
Carts set out too early, too late, or left curbside past the ten-hour return window violate § 23-9 and are enforced like other Chapter 23 violations, with nonconforming waste subject to tagging and rejection under § 23-21.
Frequently Asked Questions
How early can I put my cart out in Sterling Heights?
How soon do I have to bring the empty cart back in?
Sources & Official References
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