West Des Moines, IA Trash & Recycling: Bin Placement Rules (2026)

City Code section 4-5-4D governs cart placement in West Des Moines. Residents who want their solid waste collected curbside must place carts on the driveway, parking area, or right-of-way in front of their premises, positioned adjacent to and within eighteen inches of the near edge of the roadway curb, or adjacent to and within eighteen inches of the edge of the traveled portion of the right-of-way where no curb exists. Placement cannot obstruct sidewalks, and a cart cannot sit closer than six feet to any fixed structure such as a fence, mailbox post, or garage wall.

The City Contract Administrator may grant exceptions to these placement rules, and the City-approved contractor can charge a special fee for anything other than curbside service. Section 4-5-4F separately requires carts, bundles, recycling bins, and yard waste pieces to be spaced at least three feet but no more than six feet apart at the curb so the automated collection truck can service each item. Timing is controlled by section 4-5-4H: nothing may be placed at the curb before 5:00 p.m. on the day preceding the scheduled collection day, and everything not collected, including carts, bundles, and bins, must be removed from the curb or right-of-way within twenty-four hours of collection.

Section 4-5-4(D)(2) separately bars depositing waste or carts on any sidewalk, crosswalk, roadway, or alley right-of-way in a way that blocks pedestrian or vehicle movement.