San Luis Obispo County, CA Trash & Recycling: Bin Placement Rules (2026)

Under County Code Section 8.12.250, every solid waste container must be kept entirely above ground level, in a spot convenient for collection crews. Where the hauler collects from an alley, the container goes alongside and within ten feet of the alley; where collection is from the street, it goes alongside and within ten feet of the street. Bins and cans can never be left permanently in a front setback area or on public property, and any dedicated storage area for larger bins must sit within one hundred feet of the building it serves, with bins over 100 gallons kept at least twenty-five feet from windows, doors, or vents. Containers themselves must be watertight with close-fitting lids, and standard cans are capped at thirty-five gallons and seventy-five pounds. Regular residential collection cannot start before 6 a.m. or run past 9 p.m. under Section 8.12.230(b).