Orange County, CA Trash & Recycling: Collection Schedule (2026)
Key Facts
- Allowed hours
- 7:00 a.m.–7:00 p.m.
- Allowed days
- Monday through Saturday
- Minimum frequency
- At least once weekly
- Bulky-item cutoff
- Over 50 lbs or 4 ft
- Applies to
- Unincorporated Orange County only
Summary
In unincorporated Orange County, franchised haulers may collect residential solid waste only between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m., Monday through Saturday, on a schedule OC Waste & Recycling approves, with pickup required at least once weekly.
Residential solid waste collection shall be made only between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. Monday through Saturday on a schedule that must be approved by the Department. Residential collections shall be made at least once weekly, unless otherwise approved by Director.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 157).
Full Breakdown
County Code Section 4-3-85 restricts residential collection to the hours of 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., Monday through Saturday, on a schedule that must be approved by the Department (OC Waste & Recycling). Collections must happen at least once a week unless the Director approves otherwise. The collector isn't required to haul dirt, rocks, building material, furniture, appliances, or any item over 50 pounds or 4 feet long unless the franchise agreement says so. Commercial pickup times are set by mutual agreement with the customer. This applies only to the unincorporated county; the 34 incorporated cities set their own hauler hours.
Violations & Fines
Service complaints go to OC Waste & Recycling under the franchise agreement; unsatisfactory service, including collections outside approved hours, is grounds for the Director to suspend the hauler's franchise pending a Board revocation hearing (§ 4-3-86, § 4-3-88).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can my trash be collected on Sunday in unincorporated Orange County?
How often must the hauler pick up residential trash?
Does this county schedule rule apply inside Anaheim or Santa Ana?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Orange County
California rules heatmap·Compare Orange County to another location·View the California trash & recycling overview
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