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Columbia, MO Trash & Recycling: Collection Schedule (2026)

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

Key Facts

Frequency
Once-weekly residential pickup
Schedule authority
Set and varied by the director
Holiday rule
Pickup moves to next day
Cart placement
Out by 4pm day before, in by 10pm
Mandatory for
Homes and buildings of 4 units or fewer

Summary

Columbia, Missouri requires curbside residential refuse customers to use city carts collected once weekly on a director-set schedule, with holiday pickups shifted to the next day, per the Boone County city code.

(c) Collection and pickup. Residential refuse pickup shall be made once weekly according to a schedule established by the director. The director may vary the schedule and will post notice of any such variance because of weather conditions or other conditions which make the normal collection schedule impractical. When a holiday is observed on the normal day of collection, the collection will be made the following day or as approved and publicly announced by the director.

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 138).

Full Breakdown

City Code § 22-159 makes weekly curbside refuse service mandatory for every single-family home, duplex and building of four units or fewer in the City of Columbia, Missouri; apartments over four units use centralized containers. Pickup happens once weekly on a schedule the utilities director sets and publishes; the director may shift the schedule for weather or other disruptions, with public notice. When a holiday falls on the normal collection day, pickup moves to the following day or another date the director announces. Carts must be set out no earlier than 4:00 p.m. the day before and removed by 10:00 p.m. on collection day.

Violations & Fines

Leaving a refuse cart at the curb outside the 4:00 p.m.-to-10:00 p.m. collection window, or skipping mandatory curbside service, violates §§ 22-158(b)(6) and 22-159 and can trigger fees or code enforcement.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens to Columbia, MO trash pickup on a holiday?
City Code § 22-159(c) moves collection to the following day, or another date the director publicly announces, whenever a holiday falls on the normal pickup day.
Is curbside refuse service optional in Columbia, Missouri?
No. Every single-family home, duplex or building of four units or fewer must use the city's curbside cart service under § 22-159(a), absent a director-approved waiver.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Columbia

Bulk Item DisposalLight RestrictionsFence Regulations: Height LimitsLight RestrictionsRecycling RequirementsSome RestrictionsIllegal DumpingHeavy RestrictionsYard Waste CollectionSome RestrictionsDumpster RulesSome RestrictionsPickup Rules & SchedulesSome RestrictionsHoliday Pickup ScheduleLight RestrictionsBin Placement RulesSome RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Decibel LimitsSome RestrictionsFence Regulations: Neighbor Fence RulesLight RestrictionsFence Regulations: Material RestrictionsSome RestrictionsAnimal Ordinances: Veterinary Clinic ZoningSome RestrictionsLandscaping Rules: Tree Removal & Heritage TreesSome Restrictions

All Columbia rules

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