Richardson, TX Trash & Recycling: Collection Schedule (2026)
Key Facts
- Garbage/trash frequency
- At least twice weekly, residential
- Recycling frequency
- At least once weekly
- Mandatory service
- Must use city or franchised hauler
- Unpermitted hauling
- Unlawful without city franchise or permit
- Exclusive provider
- City for residential collection, § 19-4(d)
- Standards followed
- EPA and TCEQ rules
Summary
Richardson requires every residence to use the city's or a franchised hauler's solid waste service, and it is unlawful to haul trash within the city without a franchise or permit. Garbage and trash must be collected at least twice a week from every residence, and recyclables at least once a week, under EPA and TCEQ rules.
(a)General. All persons, companies, corporations, businesses, residential, industrial and commercial establishments within the city shall be required to use the solid waste, construction and demolition debris, and recycling disposal services provided by the city or by one or more contractors or private haulers operating under a franchise or permit granted by the city as provided herein. Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, it shall be unlawful for any person, business, company or corporation to use the public streets, alleys or public thoroughfares within the corporate limits for the purpose of engaging in the business of collection, transport or disposal of solid waste, recycling materials and C&D without first having obtained a franchise or permit from the city. [Sec. 19-28(a)] All garbage, trash, and waste shall be collected and removed from every residence in the city at least two times per week unless otherwise ordered by the director of public services and in full adherence to all EPA and/or TCEQ rules and regulations.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 35 Update 2).
Full Breakdown
Section 19-4(a) requires all persons, businesses and residential, industrial and commercial establishments in the city to use the solid waste, construction and demolition debris, and recycling disposal services provided by the city or by a contractor or private hauler operating under a city franchise or permit; using the public streets or alleys to collect, transport or dispose of solid waste without first obtaining a franchise or permit is unlawful. Section 19-4(d) makes the city the exclusive provider of residential solid waste collection, commercial solid waste collection, multifamily collection, bulky item collection, commercial roll-off service, and residential recycling collection, all billed at rates the city council sets.
Section 19-28 fixes the pickup frequency: garbage, trash and waste must be collected from every residence at least twice a week unless the director of public services orders otherwise, and from every other type of occupancy on a schedule the solid waste superintendent sets and the director of public services approves; recyclable materials must be collected from every residence at least once a week. All frequencies operate in full adherence to EPA and TCEQ rules and regulations.
Violations & Fines
Operating as an unlicensed hauler, or using the public streets to collect or dispose of solid waste without a city franchise or permit, is unlawful under section 19-4(a). As a public-health-and-sanitation offense under chapter 19, a violation draws a fine of up to $2,000 per offense under section 1-8(c), rather than the code's default $500 cap, and each day the unpermitted activity continues is a separate offense.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many times a week does Richardson collect residential trash?
Can I hire my own trash hauler in Richardson instead of using the city?
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Sources & Official References
Other rules in Richardson
Texas rules heatmap·Compare Richardson to another location·View the Texas trash & recycling overview
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Collection Schedule in Nearby Cities
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