Huntington Beach, CA Trash & Recycling: Collection Schedule (2026)
Key Facts
- Minimum frequency
- Once per week (basic level of service)
- Mandatory service
- Required for every occupied single-family home
- Billing trigger
- Active water service connection
- Senior discount
- 50% off if 62+ and low income
- Appeal path
- Written appeal to City Manager
Summary
Huntington Beach's contracted refuse collector must pick up residential refuse, recycling, and yard waste at least once a week under Municipal Code Section 8.21.150. Every occupied single-family home, and each unit in a duplex, triplex, or fourplex, is billed for this basic level of service under Section 8.21.030, whether or not the resident opts in.
The City refuse collector shall operate and maintain residential refuse collection in the City by providing the basic level of service on a regularly scheduled basis, approved by resolution of the City Council, not less frequently than once each week. The Director may by regulation exclude from such service any item or substance deemed hazardous, obnoxious or otherwise inappropriate for such service. Any person receiving residential collection service who is 62 years of age or older shall pay 50% of the charge imposed by this section provided the combined adjusted gross income, as used for federal income tax reporting purposes of all members of the household in which such service user resides does not exceed the "HUD Income Guidelines-Very Low Income Category" currently on file in the City's Department of Economic Development, for the calendar year prior to the fiscal year (July 1st through June 30th) for which the exemption provided by this chapter is applied.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4954605; v17 updated 2026-06-16).
Full Breakdown
150, Residential Refuse Collection, requires the City's contracted refuse collector to operate and maintain residential collection on a regularly scheduled basis approved by City Council resolution, and sets a floor of not less than once each week for the basic level of service. The Director of Public Works can exclude specific items or substances from that service by regulation if they're hazardous, obnoxious, or otherwise inappropriate for routine pickup. 030 sets a service charge for every single-family dwelling and every unit within a duplex, triplex, or fourplex, deeming a dwelling 'occupied' for billing purposes whenever it is connected to an active water service, regardless of whether anyone requested collection.
Residents 62 or older whose household adjusted gross income falls at or below the HUD 'Very Low Income Category' guidelines on file with the City's Department of Economic Development pay only 50% of the standard charge. Multifamily complexes and mobile home parks that contract directly with the City refuse collector are billed separately and fall outside this residential service charge. 160's separate commercial collection service, which requires the owner or operator to contract directly with the City's refuse collector for at least the basic level of service.
Violations & Fines
A property owner who fails to arrange the basic level of service required by Section 8.21.140, or who disputes the mandatory charge under Section 8.21.030 without qualifying for the senior low-income discount, remains liable for the service charge as long as the dwelling carries an active water connection. Disputes over a Director's ruling on service can be appealed in writing to the City Manager within the appeal procedure set out in Section 8.21.210.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I opt out of trash collection in Huntington Beach?
How often does the city pick up residential trash?
Do seniors get a discount on their Huntington Beach trash bill?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Huntington Beach
California rules heatmap·Compare Huntington Beach to another location·View the California trash & recycling overview
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