Fresno County, CA Trash & Recycling: Collection Schedule (2026)
Key Facts
- Service areas
- 14 exclusive zones, contract haulers
- Residential collection hours
- 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- Commercial collection hours
- 4 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Self-haul
- allowed instead of contractor service
- Accumulation limit
- 7 days where service available
Summary
In Fresno County's fourteen exclusive solid waste service areas, only the county's designated contractor may collect, transport, or dispose of a household's trash, recyclables, and green waste, unless the resident self-hauls under County Code Section 8.21.060. Collection is limited to 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. in residential zones under the same section.
I.Each designated contractor shall limit collection to six a.m. to seven p.m. in residential zones, and each designated contractor shall limit collection to four a.m. to six p.m. in commercial zones; provided, however, that the county reserves the right to require collection no earlier than six a.m. in commercial areas located near residences. ... X.It is unlawful for any individual, firm or entity to establish, operate or carry on the business of collection, transport and/or disposal of solid waste in the unincorporated areas of the county, except:1.The designated contractors in accordance with the terms of the agreements and the provisions of this chapter;...3.Self-haul materials, which are delivered by an individual (or for a commercial generator, where the disposal services are provided by an individual listed on the generator's payroll as an employee), directly to a transfer station or disposal facility in a manner consistent with subsection R of this section, and any other laws, regulations or ordinances now or hereafter applicable;...
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 51).
Full Breakdown
050. 060(X) makes it unlawful for any individual, firm, or entity to establish, operate, or carry on the business of collecting, transporting, or disposing of solid waste in the unincorporated county except the designated contractor for that area, materials removed incidentally by a landscaping or construction contractor, a generator's own self-haul under subsection R, permitted construction and demolition debris haulers, or weekly debris box and compactor services. Subsection R lets any residential or commercial generator self-haul its own waste instead of using the designated contractor, so long as the transport and disposal comply with the chapter and all other laws; a generator that does not self-haul must secure collection service from its area's designated contractor.
near homes. Subsection C caps what a contractor can charge at the maximum rate approved by the board of supervisors, and Subsection H requires each contractor to begin service in its assigned area by the chapter's implementation date. 060 backs this up on the health side: wherever public collection service is available, an owner or tenant cannot let garbage sit on the property more than seven days, and the health officer can order more frequent removal if vectors like flies or rodents become a problem.
Violations & Fines
Collecting, transporting, or disposing of solid waste in the unincorporated county without being the area's designated contractor, an authorized self-hauler, or another exempt party listed in Section 8.21.060(X) is unlawful, and a designated contractor can sue for an injunction and damages against anyone infringing its exclusive service area. Separately, Section 8.20.060 treats garbage left on a property for more than seven days, where collection service is available, as a nuisance the health officer can order removed more often.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I hire my own trash hauler instead of the county's contractor?
What hours can trash be collected in Fresno County neighborhoods?
How long can garbage sit on my property before it's a violation?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Fresno County
California rules heatmap·Compare Fresno County to another location·View the California trash & recycling overview
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