Olmsted County, MN Trash & Recycling: Bulk Item Disposal (2026)
Key Facts
- Bulky Items defined
- mattresses, major appliances, furniture (§ 3502.04)
- License to collect for others
- Class D Hauler License required
- Self-haul drop-off site
- Recycling Center Plus, 305 Energy Parkway NE, Rochester
- Self-haul fee, category A items
- $15.00 each, effective 7/1/2025
- Criminal penalty
- up to $1,000 fine and/or 90 days jail
- Ordinance last amended
- Dec. 16, 2025, effective Jan. 1, 2026
Summary
Mattresses, major appliances and furniture too large for a standard curbside cart are classified as Bulky Items under Olmsted County's Solid Waste Ordinance. Collecting someone else's bulky waste for a fee requires a County Class D Hauler License; residents can skip a hauler entirely and self-haul items to the Recycling Center Plus in Rochester for a set per-item fee.
“Class D Licensed Hauler” means a Person licensed by Olmsted County to Collect and transport only Solid Waste and Bulky Items as a secondary service to a primary business activity such as providing labor, junk removal, and general site cleanup services... Class D Licensed Haulers shall not leave waste collection equipment at the location of the Customer for the Customer to load... No Person shall collect Mixed Municipal Solid Waste, Industrial Waste, Source-Separated Organic Materials or Bulky Items, belonging to another Person in Olmsted County without an appropriate Solid Waste License from the County.
Full Breakdown
04 defines "Bulky Items" as large items like mattresses, major appliances and furniture that cannot fit into standard residential-sized curbside Collection Containers. 02 creates the Class D Licensed Hauler category specifically for haulers who collect Bulky Items and Solid Waste as a secondary service to labor, junk removal or general site cleanup work. Class D haulers may not leave collection equipment at a customer's property for the customer to load themselves, and they cannot hold a Class D and a Class C license at the same time without forming a separate business entity.
The County places no cap on the number of Class D licenses it issues. Residents who prefer not to hire a hauler can self-haul directly to the Recycling Center Plus (OCRC+) at 305 Energy Parkway NE, Rochester. 00 each, with heavier or bulkier categories such as automotive car seats, single-section couches, futon mattresses and riding mowers priced higher on the same schedule. Mixed Municipal Solid Waste that includes Bulky Items delivered by a Commercial Hauler is billed a 29% (residential) or 50% (commercial) gross receipts service charge under Section 3510. The Solid Waste Ordinance was last amended December 16, 2025, effective January 1, 2026, and is administered by the Olmsted County Environmental Resources Department.
Violations & Fines
Collecting Bulky Items from another person's property without the required Solid Waste License violates Chapter 3500 Section 3504.02. Under Section 3511.01, a criminal violation of the Ordinance is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of up to $1,000 and up to 90 days in jail, with each day of a continuing violation counted as a separate offense. The Environmental Resources Department can instead pursue a civil Notice of Violation under the Chapter 4000 Administrative Enforcement and Appeals Procedure Ordinance, and licensed haulers risk license suspension or revocation for noncompliance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I put a mattress or old couch out with my regular trash cart in Olmsted County?
Do I need a license to haul away a neighbor's furniture for cash?
Where can I self-haul bulky items in Olmsted County?
What happens if I hire an unlicensed junk hauler to remove bulky waste?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Olmsted County
Compare Olmsted County to another location·View the Minnesota trash & recycling overview
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