Fort Worth, TX Trash & Recycling: Collection Schedule (2026)
Key Facts
- Mandatory for
- single-family, duplex, garage apt, occupied mobile homes
- Optional for
- buildings with 3+ dwelling units
- Self-haul
- allowed, but no billing credit given
- Carry-out fee
- set annually by city council
- Disabled carry-out
- annual physician-certified application
- Private communities
- need director's written service agreement
Summary
Fort Worth requires owners and occupants of single-family homes, duplexes, garage apartments and occupied mobile homes to use the city's household collection service under City Code § 12.5-821. Residents may haul their own waste instead, but the code specifically denies them any billing credit for doing so. Larger multifamily buildings, certain mobile home parks and approved private communities can opt out.
(a) The owners or occupants of single-family residences, duplex residences, garage apartments and mobile homes or trailers occupied as dwelling units, shall be required to use city household collection services. Occupants of such premises may remove and transport their own solid waste, but shall receive no credit on their accounts for doing so. (b) The use of city household collection services shall be optional for: (1) Multifamily dwelling buildings and complexes containing three or more dwelling units; (2) Any mobile home park whose drinking water supply is provided by well water or is provided by the city through a common meter; and (3) Private communities pursuant to subsection (f) below.
Full Breakdown
5-821 makes city collection mandatory for single-family residences, duplexes, garage apartments and mobile homes or trailers occupied as dwelling units; occupants may self-haul but get no account credit. Service is optional for multifamily buildings with three or more units, mobile home parks on well water or a common city meter, and private communities that request it. Customers choose curb or carry-out service, and the director assigns the collection location weighing collector convenience, customer convenience, hazards such as cables or utility poles, and cost. The city council sets the fee for elective carry-out service.
Anyone requesting disabled carry-out must submit a fresh application every year, certified by a licensed physician (or a doctor of optometry if the applicant is blind) confirming they cannot bring garbage and recyclables to the curb. Private communities seeking city pickup must show the director their streets and alleys meet city construction standards, that collection trucks can safely access every unit, and that infrastructure will stay at that level; only then may the director sign a written service agreement with the community.
Violations & Fines
Section 12.5-821 itself carries no standalone fine; sanitation-code violations citywide fall under the general penalty at § 1-6(b), capped at $2,000 for rules governing public health and sanitation (including refuse dumping) and $500 for other violations, with each day of a continuing violation a separate offense under § 1-6(e). Carry-out customers who miss the annually required disabled-service certification lose eligibility for that service tier.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to use Fort Worth's trash service if I live in a single-family home?
Can apartment complexes skip city trash pickup?
How do I qualify for disabled carry-out service?
Can my private gated community get city pickup?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Fort Worth
Texas rules heatmap·Compare Fort Worth to another location·View the Texas trash & recycling overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.