Monterey, CA Trash & Recycling: Collection Schedule (2026)

Under Monterey City Code § 14-2, every single-family responsible party must subscribe to and pay for the City's three-container collection service, covering weekly pickup of recyclable materials, organic materials and solid waste. Multifamily and commercial premises must participate in the same three-container service on at least a weekly basis. The City or its franchisee has the right to review the number and size of a property's containers to judge whether they are adequate to separate and contain each material stream, and can order the responsible party to adjust its service level after that review.

If a tenant or lessee will not subscribe and pay, responsibility shifts to the property owner, so ownership does not excuse the duty. Multifamily and commercial premises facing genuine space or de minimis-waste constraints can apply for a City-approved waiver, valid for five years and revocable if circumstances change, under § 14-2(4) through (6). Rates for the service are set by City Council resolution, not negotiated between resident and hauler. 5 lets the City start collection at the property on its own and bill the owner; a debt unpaid after 90 days becomes a lien or special assessment against the property. This structure implements the state's SB 1383 organics-diversion mandate at the local level, under Ordinance 3642 § 2 (2021).