Fountain Valley, CA Trash & Recycling: Collection Schedule (2026)

Section 6.08.130 of the Fountain Valley Municipal Code puts a hard clock on every property in the City of Fountain Valley. Anyone who owns, controls or occupies premises cannot allow solid waste to accumulate for more than one calendar week. Refuse or cuttings, meaning yard trimmings, get fifteen days. The same section also makes it unlawful to fail, refuse or neglect to place waste and cuttings out for collection in accordance with the schedules established for that purpose, the chapter and the rules adopted under it.

The code does not print a pickup weekday in this section. The schedule comes from the city's collection contract or franchise, which the City Council can award to a collection company under Section 6.08.030. Because each account is billed and served on that schedule, the practical rule is to set out every scheduled week. Section 6.08.140(b)(4) fixes the set-out window: carts go to the curb before 6 a.m. on collection day but not earlier than 6 p.m. the day before, and they must be back in storage no later than 9 p.m. on collection day. Section 6.08.150(c) limits the hauler to collections between 6:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. unless the city manager gives permission.

Each single-family home is supplied three carts under Section 6.08.080, one each for non-organic waste, organic material and recyclables, and damaged carts must be repaired or replaced within three days of notice from the resident or the city. Residential collection charges are set under Section 6.08.180 and can be collected with the water bill. Violations of Chapter 6.08 are punished under Chapter 1.16, so a missed cycle that turns into a pile of uncollected refuse is a code violation, not only a service complaint.