Pasco County, FL Trash & Recycling: Bin Placement Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Max standard can/cart size
- 100 gallons
- Required material
- Heavy-duty hard plastic, lidded
- Bag/container weight limit
- 50 pounds each
- Free container limit
- 6 per collection before surcharge
- Enforcement fine
- Up to $500 per violation
Summary
Pasco County requires household trash kept outside to sit in a county-approved, lidded container at all times until collection, and defines exactly what counts as one: heavy-duty hard plastic, a lid, and a capacity no larger than 100 gallons for a standard can or cart.
Processable waste stored outside a building must be kept in an appropriately sized, lidded, county-approved container or specialized bulk container at all times until collection or disposal is completed. ... County approved container means a portable container used to store or convey solid waste or recyclable materials that: (a) is made with heavy-duty hard plastic or other impervious material; (b) is equipped with a lid or top; (c) can be serviced by a licensed hauler; and (d) is approved by the county for use in the county. A county approved container includes any commonly available garbage can or garbage cart that has a capacity of 100 gallons or less and complies with the specifications in (a) through (d), above.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 94 Update 1 | Land Development Code: Supplement 20).
Full Breakdown
Code of Ordinances Sec. 90-33 requires that processable waste stored outside a building be kept in an appropriately sized, lidded, county-approved container or specialized bulk container at all times until collection or disposal is completed. Sec. 90-27 defines a 'county approved container' as a portable container that is made of heavy-duty hard plastic or other impervious material, equipped with a lid or top, able to be serviced by a licensed hauler, and approved by the county; a county approved container includes any commonly available garbage can or cart with a capacity of 100 gallons or less that meets those specifications.
Recycling containers supplied by a licensed hauler must conform to the county's approved design under Sec. 90-47(8), and specialized bulk containers (dumpsters and roll-offs) must meet separate criteria in Sec. 90-46(10)-(13), including being watertight, free of jagged edges, and equipped with close-fitting, self-closing lids that keep out flies, rats, and vermin. Under Sec. 90-47(9), a licensed hauler cannot limit how many county-approved containers or bags a residential customer uses, but each loaded container or sealed bag can weigh no more than 50 pounds, must hold only waste generated on that residential property, and haulers may charge a surcharge for customers using more than six containers or bags per collection.
Violations & Fines
Failing to store processable waste in a county-approved container or specialized bulk container, or letting waste accumulate outside a container, is listed as a violation under Sec. 90-34. Violations are enforced under Sec. 1-11, carrying a civil citation of up to $500 per violation plus costs, with each day of noncompliance treated as a separate violation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of trash can does Pasco County require?
Can I just leave bagged trash next to my can in Pasco County?
Is there a limit on how many trash cans I can put out?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Pasco County
Florida rules heatmap·Compare Pasco County to another location·View the Florida trash & recycling overview
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