San Bernardino County, CA Trash & Recycling: Bin Placement Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Set out
- No more than 12 hrs before pickup
- Bring in
- Within 24 hrs after pickup
- Off-hours storage
- Away from street, no nuisance
- Enforced by
- DEHS (County Code § 33.0811)
Summary
San Bernardino County limits how long trash bins sit at the curb: containers can go out no more than 12 hours before pickup and must come back in within 24 hours after, per County Code Section 33.0808.
Refuse containers for residential pick-up service shall be placed in a convenient and accessible location adjacent to a street or public thoroughfare for not more than 12 hours prior to scheduled pick-up and shall be removed within 24 hours after pick-up. Other locations shall be subject to approval by the permittee and DEHS.
(b) At all other times refuse containers shall be stored away from the street and in such a manner as to minimize creating an environmental or public health nuisance.
(c) At no time shall a refuse container be placed in such a manner as to create a traffic problem or hazard to the public health, safety, or welfare.
(d) All residential bins shall be located upon the customer’s property in a manner that minimizes traffic, safety, aesthetic, and other problems. If a suitable location can not be arranged, DEHS may determine that the permittee cannot provide bin service at the residence and shall instead provide barrel service. (Ord. 3105, passed - -1986; Am. Ord. 3671, passed - -1996)
Full Breakdown
County Code Section 33.0808 governs bin placement in the unincorporated area: containers go to the curb no earlier than 12 hours before scheduled pickup and must be pulled back within 24 hours after. Outside that window, refuse containers must be stored away from the street in a manner that avoids creating an environmental or public-health nuisance. Bins can never be positioned so as to create a traffic hazard, and residential bins must sit on the customer's property in a way that limits traffic, safety, and aesthetic problems. The Division of Environmental Health Services (DEHS) enforces these standards and can order barrel service instead of bin service if no suitable placement exists.
Violations & Fines
Violating this section is unlawful under County Code Section 33.0811; DEHS enforces the Article and can pursue the remedies and penalties set out in the County's general solid waste enforcement chapters.
Frequently Asked Questions
How early can I put my trash cans out in unincorporated San Bernardino County?
Where do I have to store my bins between pickups?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in San Bernardino County
California rules heatmap·Compare San Bernardino County to another location·View the California trash & recycling overview
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