Austin, TX Trash & Recycling: Collection Schedule (2026)

City Code Section 15-6-11 puts the burden on 'a person in control' of the premises, not just the owner: except for premises with five or more residential units, which must use a licensed private hauler under Section 15-6-13, anyone controlling a premises with fewer than five dwelling units must use Austin Resource Recovery's collection service. Four narrow carve-outs exist. A resident may haul construction-related debris to a licensed private hauler. An individual may remove waste generated at their own residence in a vehicle with one-ton or smaller carrying capacity, though that earns no bill credit.

Anyone already using a licensed private hauler before January 1, 2015 may keep that arrangement even after a change in who controls the premises. And a customer may decline department service entirely through a written agreement with the City, in which case Austin may not bill for collection at that address. The director can also force a premises onto private service if the city truck can't adequately reach it. Section 15-6-16 leaves the actual pickup day and frequency to the director, who must publish the schedule to customers; the code sets no single citywide collection day.

on collection day itself. The receptacle remains City property while on loan, and only a department employee or agent may remove it from a customer's premises.