Kenosha, WI Trash & Recycling: Collection Schedule (2026)
Key Facts
- Waste schedule
- Collected once weekly
- Recycling schedule
- Collected once every 2 weeks
- Eligible buildings
- 4 or fewer residential living units
- Hauler license fee
- $45 first vehicle, $35 each additional
- License expiration
- Expires every June 30
- Penalty
- $50-$500 forfeiture per violation
Summary
The City of Kenosha collects residential waste once a week and recycling once every two weeks from every building of four units or fewer, under Sec. 5.06(G)(1)(a). Collecting or hauling someone else's waste off the street without a City license is illegal, and the Department of Public Works sets the actual schedule by area.
a.Schedule. The collection of Waste will be once weekly and the collection of Recycling will be once every two (2) weeks from every residential building comprised of four (4) or fewer living units in the City under schedules to be determined by the Department of Public Works. ... C.Transportation of Waste Regulated. It is illegal for any Person, except an employee or agent of the City, to collect Waste or Recyclable Materials from the Lawn Park area or to transport Waste, Recyclable Materials, Major Appliances and/or Bulky Solid Waste that was owned by another Person on any street without obtaining a license therefor. ... The fee for the license is forty-five dollars ($45.00) for the first vehicle operated by the licensee and thirty-five dollars ($35.00) for each additional vehicle.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 11 Update 1 | Zoning Ordinance: Supplement 9).
Full Breakdown
06(G)(1) of the Code of General Ordinances sets Kenosha's baseline curbside schedule: Waste is collected once weekly and Recycling once every two weeks from every residential building with four or fewer living units, on schedules the Department of Public Works determines by area and publicizes to residents. the following day. Waste must be bagged inside the cart, while Recyclable Material must be loose and free of bagged items, which the City will not accept. 06(C) separately makes it illegal for anyone other than a City employee or a licensed hauler to collect Waste or Recyclable Materials from the lawn park area, or to transport someone else's Waste, Recyclable Materials, Major Appliances or Bulky Solid Waste on any City street without a license from the City Clerk/Treasurer.
A private hauling license costs $45 for the first vehicle and $35 for each additional vehicle, expires every June 30, and the Board of Public Works can set additional service regulations, including separation rules and collection timing, that both the City crews and licensed private haulers must follow.
Violations & Fines
Collecting or transporting another person's Waste or Recyclable Materials on a Kenosha street without a hauler's license is unlawful under Section 5.06(C) and (I), and operating outside the license's terms can bring a citation under Section 5.06(H). Dumping Waste, Recyclable Materials, Bulky Solid Waste or Household Hazardous Waste on any street, alley, park, storm sewer or public place is separately illegal under Section 5.06(D), and every violation of Chapter 5.06 carries a forfeiture of $50 to $500 plus prosecution costs.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often does Kenosha pick up trash and recycling?
Can I hire someone other than the City to haul my trash in Kenosha?
What happens if I dump trash in a Kenosha alley instead of using collection?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Kenosha
Compare Kenosha to another location·View the Wisconsin trash & recycling overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.