Ridgewood, NJ Trash & Recycling: Bulk Item Disposal (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing law
- Village Code Ch. 165, Art. V
- Early set-out limit
- Not more than 48 hrs before pickup
- Removal notice window
- 24 hours after registered mail notice
- Noncompliance cost
- Becomes a lien on the land
- Notice sender
- Director of Sanitation or designee
Summary
Ridgewood's bulk refuse article bars curbside placement more than 48 hours before the scheduled pickup and gives owners just 24 hours to remove bulk refuse after a written Village notice.
§ 165-49. Curbside collection. Bulk refuse, as defined in § 165-18, shall not be placed on curbside of any lands within the Village for collection more than 48 hours prior to the scheduled bulk refuse collection date and time and must be placed in containers consistent with § 165-19C, where applicable, or other approved manner established by the Village Manager. ... § 165-50. Notice to remove. Where it should be necessary and expedient for the preservation of public health, safety, general welfare or to eliminate a fire or safety hazard, the owner or tenant of any land or premises within the Village shall remove from such land(s) bulk refuse within 24 hours after written notice to remove same is sent to the last known post office address of such owner or tenant by registered mail.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4854397; v35 updated 2026-04-22; through 04-22-2026).
Full Breakdown
Village of Ridgewood Code Chapter 165, Article V, Removal of Bulk Refuse, added by Ordinance No. 3141 in 2008, governs large-item collection separately from the Article II container rules. Section 165-49 provides that bulk refuse, as defined in Section 165-18 (fixtures, furniture, mattresses, box springs, carpeting, and similar items under 100 pounds), cannot be placed at the curb of any land in the Village more than 48 hours before the scheduled bulk refuse collection date and time, and must be placed in containers consistent with Section 165-19C or another manner the Village Manager approves.
Beyond the scheduled collection process, Section 165-50 gives the Village a separate enforcement path when bulk refuse threatens public health, safety, or fire hazards: the owner or tenant must remove the bulk refuse within 24 hours after the Village sends written notice by registered mail to their last known address. Section 165-51 requires that notice to be sent by the Director of the Department of Sanitation or a designee, describe the specific items to be removed, and give the owner or tenant one day from receipt to show cause before the officer why removal should not be required.
If the owner or tenant fails to comply within the 24-hour window under Section 165-52, the Department of Sanitation may enter the property, remove the bulk refuse itself, and certify the cost to the Village Council, which becomes a lien on the property added to the tax bill and collected the same way as property taxes.
Violations & Fines
Failure to remove bulk refuse within 24 hours of a Section 165-50 notice lets the Department of Sanitation remove it directly and bill the property owner; under Section 165-52 that cost becomes a lien on the land, is added to the property's tax assessment, and bears interest at the same rate as delinquent taxes.
Frequently Asked Questions
How early can I put bulk items like furniture at the curb in Ridgewood?
What happens if the Village sends me a notice to remove bulk refuse?
What if I don't remove bulk refuse after a Village notice?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Ridgewood
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