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

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

Key Facts

Garbage service
Mandatory for residential owners, § 13.10.210
Minimum frequency
At least once per week
Standard container
32-gallon automatic-lift cart
Curb window
Out 12 hrs before, in 12 hrs after pickup
Residential collection hours
6 a.m.-7 p.m. (8 p.m. DST)

Summary

Sacramento requires every residential property owner to subscribe to city garbage collection at least once a week, sets exact carts-out and pickup-hour windows, and fines residents whose containers sit at the curb outside those windows.

All owners of residential property and residential mixed-use property in the city where garbage is created, generated, accumulated, or produced shall subscribe to garbage collection service provided by the city in the manner and in accordance with the provisions of this chapter and chapter 13.12, unless the solid waste manager determines that service is not feasible for a specific property. ... Garbage collection service shall not be less than once per week.

Full Breakdown

12, unless the solid waste manager finds service infeasible for a specific property; commercial owners instead subscribe through a city franchisee. 050) gets one 32-gallon automatic-lift container or equivalent, and "garbage collection service shall not be less than once per week," with the solid waste manager able to adjust service levels and container counts to ensure proper collection. 230 layers on a duty to subscribe to whatever type and frequency of service is necessary, in the solid waste manager's opinion, to prevent garbage from accumulating on the property longer than a week.

100(B) allows containers to be set out no earlier than 12 hours before the scheduled collection day and requires removal no later than 12 hours after it, with containers otherwise placed within two feet of the curb, at least three feet from obstructions like cars, fences, or mailboxes, and positioned for unimpeded collector access. m. m. m. 110. 070 for nonpayment or other cause specified there.

Violations & Fines

Setting a container out early, leaving it at the curb late, or placement that blocks a doorway or the right-of-way violates § 13.10.100 and is an infraction under subsection (E). Beyond specific infractions, § 13.10.150 makes any Chapter 13.10 violation a public nuisance carrying civil penalties of $250 to $25,000 per violation per day and potential misdemeanor liability under Cal. Government Code § 36900, pursued through Chapter 1.28 administrative penalty proceedings.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is trash collection mandatory for Sacramento homeowners?
Yes. City Code § 13.10.210 requires every owner of residential or residential mixed-use property that generates garbage to subscribe to the city's garbage collection service, unless the solid waste manager determines service is not feasible for that specific property.
How often does the city have to collect residential garbage?
At least once a week. Section 13.10.220 sets a one-32-gallon-cart minimum per dwelling unit and states that "garbage collection service shall not be less than once per week," though the solid waste manager can require more frequent pickup where needed.
When can I put my cans out and what time does the truck run?
Containers may go out no earlier than 12 hours before your scheduled day and must come back in within 12 hours after, per § 13.10.100(B). Trucks may only collect between 6 a.m. and 7 p.m. (8 p.m. during daylight saving time) in residential areas, per § 13.10.110.
What happens if I leave my cart out too long?
It is a code violation. Section 13.10.100(E) makes an improperly placed or timed container an infraction, and chapter-wide, § 13.10.150 allows civil penalties between $250 and $25,000 per violation per day for ongoing noncompliance.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Sacramento

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