Montgomery County, MD Trash & Recycling: Bulk Item Disposal (2026)
Key Facts
- Brush size limit
- 4 inches diameter, 6 feet long
- Bundle size limit
- 36 inches in diameter max
- Yard trim container limit
- 45 gallons, 60 pounds
- Bag type required
- paper only, no plastic
- Governing regulation
- COMCOR 48.00.03.03(a)(2)(C)
Summary
Montgomery County requires brush set out for collection to be under 4 inches thick and 6 feet long, bundled or bagged separately from bulky scrap metal items like appliances, which go out with regular recycling under COMCOR 48.00.03.03.
Yard trim. Grass and leaves must be placed in containers or large paper bags labeled “yard trim”. Containers or bags must not exceed 45 gallons in volume and 60 pounds by weight. Brush must not exceed 4 inches in diameter and 6 feet in length, and must be placed in labeled containers or paper bags or tied in bundles no greater than 36 inches in diameter. Plastic bags must not be used to contain any yard trim or Christmas trees. Christmas trees must have all ornaments and metal objects removed.
(3) Solid Waste and Recycling Collection requirements..
(A) Location. Materials for solid waste and recycling collection must be placed within 10 feet of the publicly maintained right- of-way closest to the dwelling. Materials must not be placed in a manner that interferes with parking or vehicular and pedestrian traffic.
(B) Alternate location. Residents for whom placement in accordance with paragraph (A) would be a hardship may apply to the Director for permission to use an alternate location. The Director may set a time limit on any permission granted. Any container used at an approved alternate location must be identified, as provided by the Director, and must be visible from the publicly maintained right-of-way.
(C) Time limit. Solid waste and recyclables prepared for disposal or recycling must be set out for collection no earlier than 5:00 p.m. before
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-90: Montgomery County Code contains legislation effective through May 7, 2026 | Zoning Updated Effective: April 13, 2026 | COMCOR Regulations effective as of July 1, 2026).
Full Breakdown
The Department of Environmental Protection's residential recycling program treats yard trim, scrap metal, and bulky items as separate collection streams from regular trash. Brush must be cut to no more than 4 inches in diameter and 6 feet in length, then tied into bundles no larger than 36 inches around or placed in labeled containers or paper bags -- never plastic bags. Grass and leaves go in containers or paper bags capped at 45 gallons and 60 pounds. Scrap metal items, including appliances like refrigerators and washers, are collected as part of the same recycling program under COMCOR 48.00.03.03. Rules are enforced under Chapter 48 of the County Code, which governs solid waste countywide; Rockville, Gaithersburg, and Takoma Park run their own separate municipal collection systems.
Violations & Fines
Improperly bundled brush or contaminated recycling gets left at the curb uncollected; violations of Chapter 48 solid waste rules are civil infractions enforced by the Department of Environmental Protection.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I put brush in plastic bags for county pickup?
Do old appliances get picked up with recycling?
Does this apply in Rockville or Gaithersburg?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Montgomery County
Compare Montgomery County to another location·View the Maryland trash & recycling overview
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