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Redwood City, CA Trash & Recycling: Collection Schedule (2026)

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

Key Facts

Residential hours
6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., no holidays
Commercial weekday hours
3:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Commercial weekend hours
6:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Minimum frequency
once per week (Sec. 14.24)
Curbside placement window
noon day before to noon day after
Chapter noncompliance
misdemeanor under Sec. 14.10

Summary

Redwood City requires refuse service at every occupied property under Sec. 14.2, with pickup no less than once a week under Sec. 14.24. Sec. 14.25 fixes the collection window: residential pickup runs 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., while commercial pickup runs 3:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on weekdays and 6:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on weekends, holidays excluded.

Sec. 14.24. - NUMBER AND MANNER OF COLLECTIONS: The Health Department may make such regulation concerning the number and manner of collections of refuse by refuse collectors as it may deem necessary to carry out the provisions of this Article but in no case shall collection service less often than once a week be permitted. Sec. 14.25. - TIME OF COLLECTIONS: The time of collections of refuse in residential areas shall be between the hours of six o'clock (6:00) A.M. and six o'clock (6:00) P.M., exclusive of holidays in residential areas. The time of collections of refuse in commercial areas shall be between the hours of three o'clock (3:00) A.M. and six o'clock (6:00) P.M. on weekdays and on weekends between six o'clock (6:00) A.M. and five o'clock (5:00) P.M. exclusive of holidays.

View official code

Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Zoning Code: Supplement 29 | City Code: Supplement 61 Update 1).

Full Breakdown

Under Sec. 2, every occupied premises in Redwood City must carry refuse service and pay the charge set under Sec. 31, unless the Health Officer grants a waiver. A waiver for organics or recyclables is available only if the resident shows the material is being diverted another way consistent with state law, and a denial can be appealed in writing to the City Manager within 72 hours (or two City working days, whichever is longer), with a hearing set within 48 hours and the City Manager's decision final.

Sec. 24 lets the Health Department set the number and manner of collections, but bars any service schedule less frequent than once a week. Sec. on weekends. Residents also have a placement window under Sec. " Dispute over placement location, quantity, or removal frequency is resolved by the Health Officer under Sec. 28. Only the City's franchised Refuse Collector, or a resident holding a self-haul permit under Sec. 22, may lawfully remove refuse from the curb.

Violations & Fines

Failing to comply with the refuse chapter after notice from the Health Officer is a misdemeanor under Sec. 14.10. Removing or hauling refuse from a public street without a City franchise or self-haul permit is a separate infraction under Sec. 14.17(B). Interfering with the authorized collector's pickup is unlawful under Sec. 14.21, and containers left out past the noon-after-collection deadline in Sec. 14.15(C) violate the placement rule.

Frequently Asked Questions

What time can trash trucks collect in Redwood City residential neighborhoods?
Sec. 14.25 limits residential collection to between 6:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m., excluding holidays. Commercial-area pickup runs on a different window: 3:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on weekdays and 6:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on weekends.
How often must my property get trash service?
Sec. 14.24 lets the Health Department set the collection schedule but bars any frequency less often than once a week, so weekly pickup is the legal floor for every occupied premises with refuse service.
When can I put my cans out at the curb?
Sec. 14.15(C) allows containers curbside only from noon on the day before scheduled collection through noon on the day after. Leaving cans out longer, or blocking a driveway, sidewalk or sight line, violates the placement rule.
Can I haul my own trash instead of using the City's collector?
Only with a waiver from the Health Officer under Sec. 14.2(B) and a self-haul permit under Sec. 14.22. The waiver requires showing recyclables and organics are diverted another way consistent with state law, and self-haulers must keep facility disposal records for inspection.

Sources & Official References

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