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Tulare County, CA Trash & Recycling: Bulk Item Disposal (2026)

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified August 2026

Key Facts

Applies to
Unincorporated Tulare County only
How to request pickup
Call Franchise Hauler for on-call service
Community Cleanup frequency
At least twice per calendar year
Diversion goal at cleanups
50% recycled/diverted, good-faith effort
Example bulk items
Furniture, mattresses, large appliances

Summary

Unincorporated Tulare County residents get large discarded items like furniture, mattresses and big appliances hauled away by calling their Franchise Hauler for an on-call bulk pickup, and the hauler also runs at least two drop-off Community Cleanups a year for the same materials.

These county ordinances apply to unincorporated areas of Tulare County. Incorporated cities within the county may have their own rules that take precedence over county-level regulations.

§ 4-03-1147. ON-CALL BULK ITEM PICK-UP. Upon notice by a Customer, a Franchise Hauler shall schedule pick-up of Bulk Waste. Franchise Haulers shall make all reasonable efforts to Recycle the materials collected on-call for a rate to be established by the Board.

Full Breakdown

Ordinance Code § 4-03-1147 requires that "[u]pon notice by a Customer, a Franchise Hauler shall schedule pick-up of Bulk Waste," and directs the hauler to make all reasonable efforts to recycle what it collects, at a rate the Board of Supervisors establishes by resolution. Section 4-03-1005 defines "Bulk Waste" as discarded household matter too large for a Bin, including large household appliances, appliances containing chlorofluorocarbons, furniture, carpets and mattresses, items that need special handling for their size and that customers can typically discard in connection with Community Cleanups; Bulk Waste excludes Excluded Waste such as hazardous or medical waste.

Separately, § 4-03-1146 requires each Franchise Hauler to hold Community Cleanups at least twice per calendar year, including drop-off events, and to make a Good Faith Effort to recycle or divert at least 50 percent of everything collected at those events. Both provisions sit in Article 2 of Chapter 4-03, enacted by Ordinance No. 3596, effective December 7, 2021, and are administered by the County Solid Waste Director.

Violations & Fines

Bulk items placed in a regular solid waste container without the Solid Waste Collector's prior consent violate the tires-or-bulk-waste prohibition in § 4-03-1131, an infraction under § 4-03-1400(b) punishable under Ordinance Code § 125(a) with fines up to $100 for a first offense, $200 for a second and $500 for a third within one year, each day of noncompliance a separate violation.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I get an old couch or refrigerator picked up in unincorporated Tulare County?
Section 4-03-1147 entitles a customer to notify their County Franchise Hauler, who must then schedule a bulk item pick-up and make reasonable efforts to recycle the material, at a rate set by the Board of Supervisors.
Is there a free community cleanup event for bulky trash?
Yes. Section 4-03-1146 requires each Franchise Hauler to run drop-off Community Cleanups at least twice a year and try in good faith to divert at least half of what's collected from the landfill.
Can I just set my old mattress out with regular trash?
No. Under § 4-03-1131 you cannot put tires or Bulk Waste in a solid waste container without the Solid Waste Collector's prior consent; bulk items go through the on-call pickup or a Community Cleanup instead.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Tulare County

All Tulare County rules

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