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Anne Arundel County, MD Trash & Recycling: Collection Schedule (2026)

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

Key Facts

Curbside placement window
No earlier than 5 p.m. day before
Container limit
Four trash containers per collection day
Annual service charge
$426.00 per fiscal year
Annapolis excluded
Annapolis runs its own collection service
Violation penalty
$125 to $1,000 civil fine

Summary

Anne Arundel County collects residential solid waste curbside under Director-designated service areas covering every unincorporated community but excluding the City of Annapolis; trash containers cannot go to the curb before 5 p.m. the day before pickup.

City-specific rules exist: Annapolis has its own collection schedule rules that differ from Anne Arundel County's county-level regulations. If you live in Annapolis, check the city-specific page instead.

(a) Container. Each person whose property is supplied with collection service by the County shall collect the solid waste accumulating on the premises into a suitable container. (b) Number. No more than four containers of solid waste other than recyclables may be placed for removal on any one day... (c) Placement and removal. Solid waste shall be placed for collection at the curb line of the road so as to provide easy and safe access for the collectors. Containers shall be placed curbside no earlier than 5:00 p.m. on the day preceding collection. Each empty container shall be taken in and stored by midnight on the day of collection.

View official code

Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-93: County Code is current through May, 2026).

Full Breakdown

Anne Arundel County Code § 13-4-103 lets the Director of Public Works establish curbside solid waste collection service areas throughout the county, expressly excluding the City of Annapolis, which runs its own service. Under § 13-4-104, households supplied with county collection must store waste in a suitable container, are limited to four trash containers per collection day (recyclables and yard waste are unlimited), and must place containers at the curb no earlier than 5:00 p.m. the day before pickup and bring empty containers back in by midnight of collection day. Curbside service carries a mandatory annual charge, currently $426.00 under § 13-4-105.

Violations & Fines

Placing containers out too early, leaving them out too late, or exceeding the four-container limit is a Class D civil offense under §§ 13-1-108 and 9-2-101: $125 for a first violation, up to $1,000 for repeat violations.

Frequently Asked Questions

How early can I put my trash cans out in Anne Arundel County?
Not before 5:00 p.m. the day before your scheduled collection, per County Code § 13-4-104. Empty containers must be brought back in by midnight of collection day.
How many trash containers can I put out for collection?
Up to four containers of regular trash per collection day. Recyclables and yard waste have no container limit under County Code § 13-4-104.
Does Anne Arundel County collect trash in Annapolis?
No. Annapolis is an incorporated city with its own solid waste service; the county's collection service areas under § 13-4-103 specifically exclude it.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Anne Arundel County

All Anne Arundel County rules

Compare Anne Arundel County to another location·View the Maryland trash & recycling overview

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