Alachua County, FL Trash & Recycling: Collection Schedule (2026)
Key Facts
- Collection window
- 7:00 a.m. to sunset (§ 75.303(c)(6))
- No collection
- Sundays or county holidays, absent emergency
- Mandatory service
- Contractor service or "other lawful means" (§ 75.301(a)(1))
- Non-universal area
- County also provides rural collection centers
- Emergency suspension
- Requirements may pause under § 75.504
- Penalty
- Up to $500 fine / 60 days jail (§ 10.08)
Summary
Alachua County's licensed haulers may only collect residential and commercial solid waste between 7:00 a.m. and sunset, with no collection on Sundays or holidays absent an emergency. Universal-area residential owners must obtain the county's contracted service or another lawful disposal method.
(6) The contractor and permit holder will agree that collection shall begin no earlier than 7:00 a.m. and shall cease at sunset with the exception of those areas where the county has agreed in writing to permit the contractor or permit holder to collect at an earlier or later time and which will not disturb any residential area. ... No collection shall occur on Sundays or holidays except in time of an emergency or to maintain a regular schedule due to holidays. [§ 75.301(a)(1)] An owner of residential property in the universal area shall provide for the disposal of solid waste generated on such property at a solid waste management facility either by using the residential collection service provided to such property by the contractor or by other lawful means.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 63).
Full Breakdown
and cease at sunset, except in areas where the county has separately agreed in writing to allow an earlier or later time that will not disturb a residential area; the county also reserves the right to further regulate collection hours if the public interest requires it. No collection may occur on Sundays or holidays except during an emergency or to keep a regular schedule running around a holiday, and any emergency deviation requires prior county manager approval later confirmed in writing, or it is conclusively presumed unauthorized.
301(b) requires the county to also provide or make available service and rural collection centers for non-universal-area residential property. 504 allows the county to suspend Chapter 75's collection and disposal requirements during a declared state of emergency, for the duration of the emergency and the reasonable period needed afterward to restore normal service.
Violations & Fines
Collection outside the authorized hours or on a barred day, or an owner's failure to arrange lawful solid waste disposal, is enforceable under Section 75.501, punishable as provided in Section 10.08, a fine of up to $500.00, up to 60 days in the county jail, or both, through the Chapter 24 code enforcement mechanism. Contractors also risk board action against their collection authorization for schedule violations under Section 75.303.
Frequently Asked Questions
What hours can trash trucks operate in unincorporated Alachua County?
Is trash collected on Sundays or holidays in Alachua County?
Am I required to subscribe to the county's trash service?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Alachua County
Florida rules heatmap·Compare Alachua County to another location·View the Florida trash & recycling overview
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