Oak Park, IL Trash & Recycling: Collection Schedule (2026)
Key Facts
- Applies to
- residential properties, 1-5 dwelling units
- Private scavengers
- prohibited for qualifying properties
- 96-gallon cart rate
- $31.13/month or $93.39/quarter
- 64-gallon cart rate
- $28.27/month or $84.81/quarter
- Nonpayment grace period
- 30 days before enforcement
- Alley improvement fee
- $2.50 per cart, included in rate
Summary
Oak Park requires every residential property with five units or fewer to use the Village's own garbage, refuse and recycling collection service. Hiring a private scavenger for that service is against the code, and every qualifying property owner pays the collection rates the Village Board sets under this article.
M. Private Scavengers Prohibited: The employment of private scavengers by an owner of any residential property within the Village containing up to five (5) dwelling units for the collection of garbage, refuse and recyclables shall not be allowed. All owners of residential properties within the Village containing up to five (5) dwelling units shall pay the collection rates prescribed in this article. The Village Board shall employ all necessary persons and vehicles, or enter into contract for this service, to collect, remove, dispose of, compost and/or recycle within the Village garbage, refuse, and recyclable materials from residential properties within the Village containing up to five (5) dwelling units.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-9: Code current through: Ord. 26-159, passed - -2026).
Full Breakdown
Village Code section 20-7-2(M) makes Village collection mandatory for Oak Park residential properties of one to five dwelling units: hiring a private scavenger for garbage, refuse or recyclables collection is not allowed, and every owner in that class must pay the collection rates the article sets. The Village Board either staffs the service directly or contracts it out, and either way it collects, removes, disposes of, composts and recycles the municipal solid waste from those properties. 50 per-cart alley improvement fee. Bills are due under the schedule fixed in section 26-2-3, and section 20-7-2(K) lets the Village enforce nonpayment beyond thirty days by shutting off water service, after notice and a hearing under section 26-2-4, suing to collect, or recording a lien with the Cook County recorder of deeds.
Condominium buildings and mixed commercial-residential buildings fall outside this mandatory residential scheme, and vacant, unoccupied properties with no water, sewer or garbage service for a full preceding year, or that are publicly listed for sale, owe nothing for the quarter.
Violations & Fines
A resident who hires a private hauler instead of using Village service, or who simply doesn't pay, faces the remedies in section 20-7-2(K): water shutoff after notice and a hearing, a lawsuit to recover the charges, or a recorded lien against the property with the Cook County recorder of deeds, enforceable by foreclosure.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I hire my own garbage company in Oak Park?
What does a 96-gallon cart cost per month in Oak Park?
What happens if I don't pay my Oak Park garbage bill?
Do condo buildings pay these residential collection rates?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Oak Park
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Collection Schedule in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Cook County handle collection schedule.