San Bernardino, CA Trash & Recycling: Collection Schedule (2026)
Key Facts
- Minimum service
- Mandatory for every occupied premises
- New occupant deadline
- Start service within 7 days
- Provider
- City's exclusive franchised hauler
- Vacancy exemption
- Sworn affidavit filed with City Manager
- Nonpayment consequence
- 10% penalty, 1.5% monthly interest, lien
Summary
San Bernardino requires every occupied property to subscribe to at least the minimum level of solid waste service from the city's franchised hauler. Service must start within seven days of occupancy, and charges apply whether or not waste is set out on a given collection day.
(B) Subscription required. The property owner or tenant of each occupied premises shall have at least the minimum level of solid waste collection service made available to that premises by the franchised hauler, as specified in the franchise agreement between the city and the franchised hauler. At its discretion, the city may require a higher level of solid waste collection service if the current level of service is deemed insufficient. The charges for solid waste collection service rendered or made available shall be paid for all periods of time during which the premises are occupied, regardless of whether or not the owner or tenant has any solid waste to be collected on any particular collection date during such occupancy.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-2: Supplement contains: Local legislation current through Ord. MC-1666, passed 8-5-2026).
Full Breakdown
040(A)). 040(B), the property owner or tenant of every occupied premises must carry at least the minimum service level set in the city's franchise agreement, and the city can require a higher tier if the existing level is insufficient. Billing runs continuously: charges are owed for every period the property is occupied regardless of whether the customer actually sets out waste for a particular pickup. 040(C) to start service on their own; if they do not, the City Manager sends written notice, and after another seven days can direct the franchised hauler to begin service unilaterally, with the account deemed active from that authorization date.
040(F), which requires a sworn affidavit filed with the City Manager stating the property is unoccupied and generating no waste; the exemption lasts only as long as that stays true. 5% monthly interest, and can ultimately become a lien recorded against the property through the county tax roll.
Violations & Fines
Skipping subscription does not stop billing: after the seven-day cure notice expires, the City Manager authorizes the hauler to start service anyway, and the property owner still owes the charges. Falsely claiming the vacancy exemption voids it and reinstates the subscription requirement. Unpaid residential bills are not grounds for shutoff but escalate to a recorded lien and special assessment collected with property taxes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I collect and haul my own trash instead of subscribing?
What happens if I never sign up for service?
Do I still pay if I put nothing out for pickup?
Can I get out of paying if the house is vacant?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in San Bernardino
California rules heatmap·Compare San Bernardino to another location·View the California trash & recycling overview
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Collection Schedule in Nearby Cities
How other cities in San Bernardino County handle collection schedule.