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San Ramon, CA Trash & Recycling: Collection Schedule (2026)

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

Key Facts

Minimum pickup frequency
Solid waste and organics collected at least weekly
New occupant deadline
Start service within 7 days of move-in
Vacancy exemption
30+ consecutive vacant days, hauler-verified
Container minimum
3 containers: solid waste, organics, recyclables
Enforcement
Infraction; city orders service after 30-day notice
Governing law
San Ramon Municipal Code Section B6-2, B6-3

Summary

San Ramon requires the owner of every occupied property to subscribe to trash, recycling and organics pickup from the city's authorized hauler. Municipal Code Section B6-2 sets a three-container minimum, weekly pickup for solid waste and organics, and a seven-day deadline to start service after move-in. There is no opt-out for full-time residents without a Director-approved waiver.

1. Except as otherwise provided by this Chapter, the property owner for each Occupied Property shall subscribe to an Adequate Level of Collection Services for the separate collection of Solid Waste, Organic Materials, and Recyclable Materials from an Authorized Collector(s) and shall pay the Authorized Collector for the collection service at the rates provided therefor. ... 6. Solid Waste and Organic Materials shall be collected at least once per week (every seven (7) calendar days). 7. Recyclable Materials may be collected less frequently than once every seven (7) calendar days provided that: (a) they are not unreasonably contaminated with food scraps, diapers, sanitary products, or any other putrescible materials; and (b) less frequent collection does not pose a health and safety risk, create a dangerous accumulation, or create a fire hazard.

Full Breakdown

Section B6-2 of the San Ramon Municipal Code makes solid waste, organics and recyclables collection mandatory for every occupied property in the city. 1 requires the property owner to subscribe to an Adequate Level of Collection Services from the city's Authorized Collector and pay for it at the posted rates. 3 set the floor: three separate containers, one each for solid waste, organic materials and recyclables, sized at minimum the smallest container the hauler offers, unless the Director grants a waiver under subsection D. 7).

8). 9). 12). The Director can review container counts and sizes at any time and order a property to adjust its service level. Enforcement runs through Section B6-3: an owner who fails to subscribe to all three streams, or whose service lapses for nonpayment, is guilty of an infraction subject to Enforcement Action.

Violations & Fines

Not carrying all three collection services, or letting an account lapse for nonpayment, is an infraction under Section B6-3 and can draw an administrative citation under Title A of the code. The City mails written notice first; if service is not restored within 30 days, the City orders its Authorized Collector to start service anyway and bills the property owner for it. A waiver from the three-stream requirement takes a Director-approved application, and any granted waiver can be rescinded if circumstances change.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to sign up for trash service in San Ramon even if I take my own waste to the dump?
Yes, unless the Director grants you a waiver. Section B6-2 requires every occupied property to subscribe to solid waste, organics and recycling service; self-hauling your own waste does not remove that requirement. You must apply to the Director for a waiver and show that you are diverting the material another lawful way, and the waiver can be pulled if your circumstances change.
How long can my trash service stay canceled while my San Ramon house is empty?
Up to 30 consecutive days without any special approval. Section B6-2(A)(9) lets a property owner cancel service once a property has been vacant for 30 days or more, but the Authorized Collector must verify the vacancy first. If the hauler and owner disagree about whether the property is actually occupied, the dispute goes to the City through the waiver process.
What happens if I never set up trash service at my new San Ramon address?
The City sends written notice demanding you subscribe. If you still have not signed up 30 days after that notice is mailed, Section B6-3 lets the City's Authorized Collector start service on your account without your consent and bill you directly, on top of the infraction citation for the underlying failure to subscribe.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in San Ramon

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