Glendale, CA Trash & Recycling: Collection Schedule (2026)
Key Facts
- Refuse accumulation limit
- 1 calendar week (Sec. 8.44.030)
- Organics/recyclables limit
- 15 days (Sec. 8.44.030)
- Earliest curb set-out
- 3:00 p.m. day before pickup
- Latest cart removal
- 8:00 p.m. on collection day
- Cart spacing
- 3 ft from parked cars, 1 ft apart
- Bulky item placement
- 5 ft from fixed objects/vehicles
Summary
Glendale bars refuse from sitting out more than one calendar week and organics more than 15 days under Municipal Code Section 8.44.030. Residents on automated collection must curb their gray, blue and green carts on a fixed window, and public works can order more frequent pickup to protect public health.
To prevent propagation of nuisances, refuse, recyclables, and organic material shall not be allowed to remain on the premises for more than the period allowed by Section 8.44.030, except when: A. Disruptions occur due to strike; or B. Severe weather conditions or "Acts of God" make collection impossible using normal collection equipment; or C. Official holidays interrupt the normal seven day collection cycle in which case collection may be postponed until the next working day; or D. Where deemed necessary by the director of public works that more frequent removal of refuse shall be required for the protection of public health.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4983441; v20 updated 2026-05-19).
Full Breakdown
040; organics and other recyclable material cannot sit more than 15 days. 040 lets the seven-day cycle slip only for a strike, severe weather or an Act of God that makes collection impossible with normal equipment, or an official holiday, in which case pickup simply moves to the next working day; the director of public works can also order more frequent removal whenever needed to protect public health. 081 controls cart placement: automated containers go along the street curb or alley depending on the assigned route, set at least three feet from any parked car and at least one foot apart from each other, with the embossed lid arrow facing the street.
on collection day itself. 080(D). 070 lets residential customers request bulky item and universal waste pickup, but items must sit atop the curb, not in the street or alley, at least five feet from any fixed object or parked vehicle, and are not collected from commercial property.
Violations & Fines
Leaving refuse out past the one-week limit, or organics past 15 days, violates Section 8.44.030. Setting carts out before 3:00 p.m. the day prior or leaving them past 8:00 p.m. on collection day violates Section 8.44.081. Mixing waste streams or dumping prohibited material such as motor oil, hazardous waste or dead animals in a container violates Sections 8.44.060 and 8.44.080, and code compliance can issue citations enforced under Chapter 8.44.180.
Frequently Asked Questions
How early can I put my trash cans out in Glendale?
How long can trash sit on my property in Glendale?
Can Glendale pick up my old furniture or appliances?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Glendale
California rules heatmap·Compare Glendale 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 Los Angeles County handle collection schedule.