Waukegan, IL Trash & Recycling: Bin Placement Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing sections
- City Code §§ 10-4, 10-5
- Earliest set-out
- 4:00 p.m. evening before collection
- Latest removal
- Evening of collection day
- Between pickups
- Store out of public view
- Fine
- $25.00-$200.00 per offense
- Extra recycling bin cost
- $7.00 each
- Disability exemption
- Available from public works director
Summary
Waukegan residents may not put solid waste containers or recycling bins at the curb before 4:00 p.m. the evening before pickup, and must pull them back in by the evening of collection day, under City Code § 10-5. Between pickups, carts must sit behind the residence or otherwise out of public view.
Sec. 10-5. - Residential unit use of containers; time limitation on placement for pickup and removal from curb. (a)The occupant or lessee of any residential unit shall place all solid waste and recyclable commodities, properly containerized or uncontainerized, pursuant to section 10-4, at the curb line of his/her residence for collection no earlier than 4:00 p.m. the evening preceding the designated day of collection, and remove such solid waste containers and recycling bins no later than the evening of such day, unless the residential unit is otherwise authorized to receive back door or alleyway pickup by the city council, director of public works or their designee.(b)Prior to placement of solid waste containers and recycling bins at the curb line for collection and after removal ... the occupant or lessee of any residential unit shall place all solid waste containers and recycling bins at the rear of the residence or otherwise outside of public view.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 113).
Full Breakdown
00 each and the garbage container replacement price set by the contractor. the evening before the designated collection day and must be removed no later than the evening of collection day itself, unless the city council, public works director, or their designee has authorized back-door or alleyway pickup instead. Section 10-5(b) adds a screening requirement for the rest of the week: before curbside placement and after removal, containers and bins must sit at the rear of the residence or otherwise be kept outside of public view, though the public works director may grant a physical-disability exemption at his sole discretion.
Section 10-5(c) separately bars placing or maintaining any container or bin so it becomes a nuisance to neighboring property or its occupants. Section 10-4(c) adds that no one may deposit waste in a way that blocks a container's lid from closing or pile waste against the container, an offense presumed against the owner, occupant, and lessee alike whenever such waste is found.
Violations & Fines
Violating the container placement or screening rules in § 10-4 or § 10-5 draws a fine of $25.00 to $200.00 per offense under § 10-4(d), with each day of continued violation a separate offense. Leaving a container out past the pickup evening, setting it out too early, or storing it in public view between collections all fall under this schedule.
Frequently Asked Questions
What time can I put my trash cart out in Waukegan?
Where do I have to store my cart when it's not collection day?
What size containers does the city provide?
What's the fine for leaving a cart out too long?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Waukegan
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