Jersey City, NJ Trash & Recycling: Collection Schedule (2026)
Key Facts
- Collection
- mandatory city service for residential refuse
- Max accumulation
- 96 hours between pickups
- Curb placement
- no earlier than 5 p.m. day of (4 p.m. w/ permit)
- Prohibited hours
- midnight–5 a.m.
- Container size
- 10–32 gallons
- Private hauling required
- industrial, restaurants, hospitals, big stores
Summary
Jersey City collects, hauls and disposes of residential refuse citywide under § 287-5, and residents may not let more than 96 hours of refuse accumulate between pickups under § 287-9(A). Larger generators, industrial buildings, restaurants, hospitals and big stores, must arrange their own private hauling instead under § 287-6.
§ 287-5: Except as otherwise provided in this article, the city shall collect, haul and dispose of all refuse accumulating within the city. ... § 287-9.A: No person may permit the accumulation of more than 96 hours of refuse and, including but not limited to apartment buildings, commercial premises, industrial buildings and government buildings using dumpsters, may accumulate a maximum of 96 hours of refuse.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 52).
Full Breakdown
Section 287-5 sets the city as the default collector: 'the city shall collect, haul and dispose of all refuse accumulating within the city' unless another section says otherwise. Section 287-6 carves out entities that must instead provide their own collection, industrial and institutional buildings, government buildings, restaurants and places selling food for on-premises consumption, private hospitals, construction/demolition contractors, stores generating more than six thirty-gallon containers per collection period, off-street shopping centers regardless of volume, and generators of hazardous or regulated medical waste. m. Containers must hold 10 to 32 gallons, have handles, and the Department of Public Works can refuse to collect any bag or can over 60 pounds or in disrepair.
Under § 287-9(A), no more than 96 hours of refuse, including at apartment, commercial, industrial and government buildings using dumpsters, may accumulate at any time.
Violations & Fines
Placing refuse out too early, exceeding the 96-hour accumulation limit, or using a noncompliant container is enforceable under § 287-29 through Chapter 1's general penalty, § 1-25: a $2,500 to $10,000 range for solid-waste violations, with $250/$500 minimums for one-to-four and five-plus unit residential owners. The Department of Public Works may also simply refuse collection of a violating container.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the city pick up my trash, or do I have to hire someone?
When can I put my trash cans out at the curb?
How much trash can I let build up between pickups?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Jersey City
Compare Jersey City to another location·View the New Jersey trash & recycling overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.