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Knoxville, TN Trash & Recycling: Collection Schedule (2026)

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

Residential frequency
Weekly collection, no charge
Nonresidential frequency
At least weekly, fee-based
Yard/bulky waste
Separate director-set schedule
Governing sections
§ 13-77 frequency; § 13-78 service

Summary

Knoxville collects residential solid waste weekly at no charge, while nonresidential producers get at least weekly pickup; yard waste and bulky waste run on their own director-set schedule.

The director or their designee is authorized to approve schedules for regular collection of solid waste throughout the city as submitted by the contracted waste hauler. Refuse shall be collected from residences weekly and from approved nonresidential producers at least weekly and otherwise as often as reasonably necessary to protect against health, safety and fire hazards. Yard waste and bulky waste must be separated and shall be collected on a schedule determined by the director or their designee.

View official code

Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 80).

Full Breakdown

Knoxville Code of Ordinances § 13-77 sets the collection schedule: refuse is collected from residences weekly and from approved nonresidential producers at least weekly, and more often when needed to protect health, safety, or prevent fire hazards. Yard waste and bulky waste are separated from regular refuse and collected on a schedule the director or their designee sets. Under § 13-78(a), weekly residential service carries no charge or fee, unlike nonresidential accounts, which the director bills based on the city's actual cost of collection and disposal. The director also approves the hauler's overall collection schedule for the city.

Violations & Fines

No stated fine for schedule disputes; general Code penalty (§ 1-9) applies to Code violations broadly: up to $50 fine, $500 costs, and/or 30 days jail.

Frequently Asked Questions

How often does Knoxville pick up residential trash?
Weekly, at no charge under § 13-77 and § 13-78(a); nonresidential customers get at least weekly service but are billed for it.
Is yard waste collected on the same day as trash?
Not necessarily, § 13-77 lets the director set a separate schedule for yard waste and bulky waste, apart from regular weekly refuse pickup.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Knoxville

Bulk Item DisposalSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Overnight ParkingSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Street Parking LimitsSome RestrictionsPickup Rules & SchedulesSome RestrictionsIllegal DumpingHeavy RestrictionsDumpster RulesSome RestrictionsYard Waste CollectionSome RestrictionsBin Placement RulesSome RestrictionsRecycling RequirementsSome RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Leaf Blower RulesLight RestrictionsParking Rules: Towing & Impound RightsSignificant RestrictionsParking Rules: Curb Color RulesSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Commercial & Oversized VehiclesSome Restrictions

All Knoxville rules

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