McHenry County, IL Trash & Recycling: Collection Schedule (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing code
- McHenry County Code § 8.24.090
- Earliest collection time
- 5:00 a.m., not before
- Semi-annual reports due
- July 31 and January 31
- Violation fine
- $100 to $500 per violation
- Pricing options required
- Flat fee, pay-as-you-throw, or volume
- Enforcing agency
- McHenry County Department of Health
Summary
McHenry County does not mandate a subscription or a fixed pickup day, but it does regulate the haulers who serve unincorporated areas: Code § 8.24.090 bars collection before 5:00 a.m., requires flexible pricing options, and lets haulers offer seasonal leaf pickup for an extra fee.
A. Municipal waste haulers that provide regularly scheduled municipal waste collection service to residential dwelling units in unincorporated areas of McHenry County and/or incorporated municipalities without service contracts, shall offer those customers, in addition to the standard flat fee method of payment, the options of either pay-as-you-throw or volume based pricing for collection service... F. Municipal waste haulers that provide regularly scheduled municipal waste collection service in unincorporated areas of McHenry County and/or incorporated municipalities without service contracts, shall not begin collection activities prior to 5:00 a.m. G. Municipal waste haulers...shall also offer, as an option, seasonal collection of leaves. The licensed hauler may charge their customers that request this service a separate fee.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2025 S-5: Supplement contains: Local legislation current through Ord. A25-0037, passed 8-19-2025 | State legislation current through ALS 2025 Pamphlet No. 1).
Full Breakdown
010A). What the county does regulate is the timing and terms haulers must follow once they do provide regularly scheduled service. m. 090G). 090C). 24, and a household's actual pickup day is set by whichever licensed hauler the resident or their homeowners' association contracts with, not by the county.
Violations & Fines
Failure to submit the required semi-annual operations report is itself a violation that can draw fines, suspension of the hauler's license, or a conditional license (§ 8.24.090C). Any person who violates Chapter 8.24, including the 5:00 a.m. start restriction, is punishable by a fine of $100 to $500 per violation, with each observed violation a separate offense (§ 8.24.130).
Frequently Asked Questions
Does McHenry County set my trash pickup day?
What time can a hauler start collecting trash in unincorporated McHenry County?
Can I get leaf collection through my regular hauler?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in McHenry County
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