Council Bluffs, IA Trash & Recycling: Collection Schedule (2026)
Key Facts
- Mandatory service
- Required for residences on a collection route
- Collection frequency
- Weekly for regular solid waste
- Cart limit
- One 96-gallon cart per address
- Over-limit fee
- Bag tag or leased extra cart (CBMC 2.08.040)
- Service denial
- Allowed for inaccessible premises
Summary
Every residence fronting a street or alley on the city's solid waste route in Council Bluffs must use city collection, placing waste out weekly under CBMC 4.12.050, and each address is capped at one 96-gallon cart under CBMC 4.12.060 unless extra tags or carts are purchased.
Every person, firm or corporation owning, occupying, controlling or renting a residential premises which fronts upon or abuts a public street or alley upon which the city's contract agent maintains a solid waste collection route, and wherein residential solid waste is generated or accumulates, shall cause such solid waste to be placed for collection, either by the city or by the city's contract agent, pursuant to the collection/disposal rules and regulations. ... Residential customers shall place residential solid waste including yard waste, with the exception of bulky wastes, as defined herein, for regular weekly collection by the city or the city's contract agent. Residential customers shall be limited to one, ninety-six (96) gallon poly cart for collection on any collection, but such customer may only place for collection the residential solid waste actually generated by that resident at that residential premises.
Full Breakdown
CBMC 4.12.050 requires every person owning, occupying, controlling or renting a residential premises that fronts or abuts a public street or alley on the city's or its contract agent's solid waste collection route, where residential solid waste is generated, to place that waste for collection by the city or its contract agent under the chapter's rules and regulations. Condominium dwellings of three or more units are handled at the director's discretion, either through city collection or a commercial collection agent, and commercial establishments and larger apartment complexes must use a commercial collection agent or their own employees instead of city service.
CBMC 4.12.060 then sets the operating limit for households on city service: residential customers get regular weekly collection, limited to one 96-gallon poly cart per pickup, and may only set out waste they actually generated at that residence. Waste beyond the 96-gallon limit requires a bag tag or a leased additional cart from the city's contracted hauler, priced under CBMC 2.08.040. The administrative authority can decline service to premises that are not conveniently accessible, shifting that owner to a commercial collection agent instead.
Violations & Fines
Failing to arrange for required collection, or placing waste in an amount, container or condition outside CBMC 4.12.060's limits, is a misdemeanor, and the city or its contract agent need not collect improperly presented waste. Violations of Chapter 4.12 generally are subject to the penalty provisions of CBMC 8.02.020, with each day of continuing violation a separate offense, or may be pursued as a municipal infraction under CBMC 1.95 at the city attorney's discretion.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is trash collection mandatory for Council Bluffs homes?
How much trash can one Council Bluffs household set out per week?
Can the city refuse to collect from my property?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Council Bluffs
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