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Cincinnati, OH Trash & Recycling: Collection Schedule (2026)

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

Key Facts

Governing section
CMC § 729-21
Who sets the schedule
City manager or designee, by neighborhood
Set-out window
5:00 p.m. day before to 6:00 a.m. collection day
Container removal deadline
Before midnight of collection day
Default penalty
Class A Civil Offense, § 729-99

Summary

Cincinnati does not set one citywide trash day in its code. Municipal Code § 729-21 lets the city manager or a designee arrange separate collection date schedules for each section of the city, so pickup day depends on your neighborhood assignment rather than a fixed calendar date written into the ordinance itself.

The city manager or his or her designee shall be authorized to arrange date schedules for the public collection of waste in the various sections of the city.

View official code

Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 48 Update 4).

Full Breakdown

' The ordinance does not print a master calendar; instead it delegates scheduling to the administrator, which is why Cincinnati residents on different streets can have different pickup days. Once a schedule is set for an area, the related container rules in Chapter 729 fill in the mechanics. on collection day, placed within three feet of the curb unless the department approves another spot. Under § 729-15, containers used for that collection must be pulled back from the curb before midnight of the collection day.

If waste is not put out in time for its scheduled date, § 729-13 places the disposal burden on the owner, tenant, agent, lessee, or occupant, who must dispose of the uncollected waste at their own expense before the next scheduled date or hold it for that next pickup. Special or bulk-item pickups run on a separate track under § 729-93 and require calling the city for a qualifying determination and appointment before anything is placed at the curb. Because the schedule itself is administrative rather than fixed by ordinance text, residents confirm their specific collection day through the city's published collection calendar rather than the code.

Violations & Fines

Chapter 729 carries a default penalty at § 729-99: unless another penalty is specified, any violation is a Class A Civil Offense under § 1501-3, carrying the civil fine set in § 1501-99. Setting containers out earlier than 5:00 p.m. the day before pickup, leaving them at the curb past midnight on collection day, or failing to clear uncollected waste before the next scheduled date under § 729-13 each expose the responsible owner, tenant, or occupant to that civil fine.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Cincinnati set one trash day for the whole city?
No. Municipal Code § 729-21 lets the city manager or a designee arrange separate date schedules for each section of the city, so your pickup day is an administrative assignment for your neighborhood rather than a citywide date written into the ordinance.
How early can I put my cart at the curb?
Under § 729-7, containers may not be set at the curb any earlier than 5:00 p.m. the day before your scheduled collection day, and must be out no later than 6:00 a.m. on the day of collection; putting them out sooner risks a Class A Civil Offense citation under § 729-99.
What if my trash isn't collected on schedule?
Section 729-13 makes the property owner, tenant, or occupant responsible for uncollected waste. You must dispose of it at your own expense before the next scheduled collection date, or it must be set back out at the point of collection for that next scheduled pickup.
Where do I find my actual collection day?
Because § 729-21 only authorizes the city manager to set schedules rather than printing them in the code, residents check the city's published collection calendar or contact the Department of Public Services' Division of Sanitation for their specific neighborhood's assigned day.

Sources & Official References

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