Prince William County, VA Trash & Recycling: Collection Schedule (2026)
Key Facts
- Collection hours
- 5 a.m. to 9 p.m.
- Business-zone exception
- 4-5 a.m., 100+ yds from homes
- Residential frequency
- At least once weekly
- Commercial frequency
- At least twice weekly
- Hauler penalty
- Class 3 misdemeanor
Summary
Prince William County restricts residential trash and recycling pickup to the hours of 5 a.m. to 9 p.m., and refuse haulers must collect from every residential area at least once a week. Business and industrial zoned properties can be serviced as early as 4 a.m. if the collection point sits 100 yards from any home.
Refuse, recyclable materials, and yard waste removed by a refuse remover and food waste removed by a food waste remover shall be removed only between the hours of 5:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m. and must be removed in a manner which does not create a nuisance or noise disturbance, or adversely affect the public health. ...refuse and recyclable materials may be removed from property zoned for business or industrial purposes...between the hours of 4:00 a.m. and 5:00 a.m., provided that the refuse collection points are not within 100 yards of any lawfully occupied residential dwelling. ...Collection and removal of refuse and recyclable materials from all residential areas by refuse removers shall not be less than once weekly. ... A violation of any provision of this article shall constitute a Class 3 misdemeanor. Violation of Articles III and VII will subject permit holder to suspension or revocation of permit, in accordance with regulations adopted by the department of public works.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 46 Update 4).
Full Breakdown
, and requires haulers to run their routes so they don't create 'a nuisance or noise disturbance' or harm public health; if a neighborhood and its hauler can't work out a noise complaint, the director of public works can order the hauler to change its hours. , a full hour before the residential window opens, but only if the collection point sits more than 100 yards from any lawfully occupied home. Section 22-42(c) bars any permitted hauler from dumping source-separated recyclables or yard waste in with regular solid waste.
On frequency, § 22-43(a) requires every refuse remover serving a residential area to collect refuse and recyclable materials 'not less than once weekly,' and to run the parallel recycling program required by § 22-170(a). Commercial and institutional customers get a higher bar: hotels, restaurants, schools and apartment complexes must be serviced at least twice weekly under § 22-43(b), with the health department able to require more frequent pickups if public health demands it.
Violations & Fines
Sections 22-42 and 22-43 sit in Article III, so a hauler that misses the weekly minimum, runs outside the permitted hours, or mixes recyclables into the trash faces a Class 3 misdemeanor under § 22-36 and can have its county refuse-removal permit suspended or revoked. The penalty falls on the licensed refuse remover, not the individual household that sets its can out on the wrong day.
Frequently Asked Questions
What time can trash trucks start running in my Prince William County neighborhood?
How often does my hauler have to collect residential trash?
What happens if my collection company keeps missing pickups or runs at night?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Prince William County
Compare Prince William County to another location·View the Virginia trash & recycling overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.