Fullerton, CA Trash & Recycling: Collection Schedule (2026)
Key Facts
- Mandatory action
- subscribe to hauler or register self-haul
- Minimum frequency
- weekly, residential and commercial
- Vacancy exception
- only fully vacant premises exempt
- Self-haul diversion target
- 50% landfill diversion (AB 939)
- Self-haul permit
- annual, issued by City Manager
- Noncompliance
- unlawful and a public nuisance
Summary
Fullerton Municipal Code § 5.14.030 requires every residential and commercial property owner, manager or tenant to either subscribe to franchised solid waste collection or register as a self-hauler with the city. Section 5.14.050 sets weekly collection as the floor, and the City Manager can require more frequent pickup if a property's waste creates a nuisance risk.
(A) Arrangements for removal of solid waste mandatory. Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, the owner, property manager, tenant and/or person in charge or control of each residential premises and each commercial premises in the city shall either:
(1) Subscribe to solid waste handling services with a franchisee for said premises; or
(2) Obtain and maintain registration as a self-hauler as set forth in this chapter in connection with said premises.
(B) Exception: vacant premises. The above requirement to provide for solid waste handling services shall not apply in connection with any residential premises at which all dwelling units are vacant, or commercial premises that are vacant, and not generating or accumulating solid waste.
Full Breakdown
030(A), 'the owner, property manager, tenant and/or person in charge or control of each residential premises and each commercial premises in the city' must do one of two things: subscribe to solid waste handling services with a city franchisee, or obtain and maintain registration as a self-hauler under the chapter. 030(B), covers premises that are entirely vacant and generating no waste, and the burden of proving vacancy falls on the property owner claiming the exception. 050 sets the collection floor at not less than once per week for both residential premises (subsection (A)) and commercial premises (subsection (B)), whether the waste is removed by self-hauling or by a franchisee subscription.
Subsection (C) lets the City Manager order more frequent pickup, or bigger or additional containers, by written notice if the standard weekly minimum is not enough to prevent a public nuisance at a specific property. R. Division 7, Chapter 12. Permit renewal requires receipts proving the 50% diversion was actually achieved the prior year. 020, under which the City Council may grant one or more haulers a franchise, and every franchisee must run all state-mandated recycling and organic-waste diversion programs.
Violations & Fines
Section 5.14.060(A) makes it 'unlawful and a public nuisance' for anyone to occupy a property without active, in-force arrangements for solid waste service, whether by franchisee subscription or self-hauler registration. Section 5.14.100 sets penalties for violations of this chapter, and § 5.14.080(I) lets the City Manager revoke a self-hauler's permit outright for missing the 50% diversion target, failing to divert organic waste, or otherwise violating the chapter, subject to a 15-day appeal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a Fullerton resident opt out of trash service entirely?
How often must trash be collected in Fullerton?
Can a property owner haul their own trash instead of hiring the city's franchisee?
What happens if a Fullerton property has no trash service arrangement?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Fullerton
California rules heatmap·Compare Fullerton to another location·View the California trash & recycling overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.
Collection Schedule in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Orange County handle collection schedule.