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Philadelphia, PA Trash & Recycling: Bulk Item Disposal (2026)

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

Key Facts

Eligible buildings
6 units or fewer, condos, co-ops
Annual sanitation fee
$500 per property
Illegal dumping fine
$2,000-$25,000 per item
Fee-violation fine
$500 under § 10-719(1)
Enforcing agency
Streets Department

Summary

Philadelphia gives regular curbside bulk item pickup to eligible small buildings, condos and co-ops under Code § 10-717.1; dumping items like mattresses or appliances outside that process instead draws fines of $2,000 to $25,000 per item under § 10-710.

Residential dwellings of the following types shall be eligible for regular City refuse, recycling and bulk item collection: (a) buildings with six or less occupied units; (b) condominium (as defined in 68 Pa. C.S. § 3103); and (c) cooperatives (as defined in 68 Pa. C.S. § 4103).

Source: Philadelphia Code § 10-726 Set Out Times for City Municipal Waste and Recyclable Materials CollectionView official code

Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 Code: Electronic version of The Philadelphia Code and Home Rule Charter is current through August 19, 2026).

Full Breakdown

The Code defines "Bulk Items" as large household items such as metal objects, refrigerant-containing appliances, air conditioners, furniture and sofa beds (§ 10-701(3)). Under § 10-717.1, residential buildings with six or fewer occupied units, condominiums and cooperatives are eligible for regular City refuse, recycling and bulk item collection, funded by a $500 annual neighborhood sanitation fee; single-family homes are exempt from that fee but still receive service. The Streets Department sets specific set-out dates, quantities, containers and placement rules by regulation under § 10-717. Depositing a bulk item such as a mattress, tire or appliance outside the official collection process is treated as a separate dumping offense under § 10-710(4).

Violations & Fines

Each illegally dumped bulk item (mattress, tire, appliance) is a separate offense under § 10-710(4), fined $2,000-$25,000 per item under § 10-719(2); nonpayment of the $500 sanitation fee is fined $500 under § 10-719(1).

Frequently Asked Questions

Who gets City bulk item pickup in Philadelphia?
Buildings with six or fewer units, condominiums and cooperatives eligible for curbside collection under § 10-717.1; single-family homes get pickup without the $500 annual fee.
What if I dump a mattress or appliance instead of using bulk pickup?
Each single large item dumped outside the collection process, like a mattress or appliance, is a separate offense under § 10-710(4) with fines of $2,000-$25,000 per item.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Philadelphia

Collection ScheduleSome RestrictionsRecycling RulesSome RestrictionsIllegal DumpingHeavy RestrictionsDumpster RulesSignificant RestrictionsBin Placement RulesSome RestrictionsPickup Rules & SchedulesSome RestrictionsRecycling RequirementsSome RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Decibel LimitsSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Towing & Impound RightsSome RestrictionsParking Rules: EV ChargingSignificant RestrictionsParking Rules: Snow Removal Parking RulesSignificant RestrictionsAnimal Ordinances: Mandatory Spay/NeuterSignificant RestrictionsAnimal Ordinances: Wildlife FeedingHeavy Restrictions

All Philadelphia rules

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