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

The City of Tustin and its franchised hauler CR&R both set rules for how and when collection carts are placed for pickup. CR&R instructs residents that 'Carts should be placed at curbside no later than 7 a.m. on collection day' and to 'remove your carts from the curbside area within 24 hours after service.' For positioning, carts should be placed 'side-by-side approximately 1 foot apart and at least 3 feet from any obstruction,' with 'handles and wheels facing away from the street,' so the automated truck arm can reach each cart. Importantly, 'Items not in carts will not be collected,' so material must be inside the cart with the lid able to close. The City Code adds an earliest set-out limit: trash containers 'may be placed curbside or in the gutter, not earlier than 24 hours before collection and must be removed within 24 hours after collection.' Between collection days, the City requires containers to be screened from public view, kept within a building or behind a wall at least 6 feet high. Together these rules mean carts should be staged the evening before or morning of pickup, spaced clear of cars, mailboxes, and trees, and then stored out of sight afterward. Violations of the placement and screening rules can result in a Tustin Code Enforcement notice or administrative citation.