Santa Ana, CA Trash & Recycling: Collection Schedule (2026)
Key Facts
- Sets the schedule
- Executive director of public works
- Frequency
- Weekly three-container collection
- Appeal path
- To the city manager (§ 16-29.5(b))
- Fine escalation
- $100 / $200 / $500 (§ 16-40(a)(4))
Summary
The executive director of public works sets each address's curbside collection day in Santa Ana, and single-family and multifamily accounts must subscribe to weekly three-container gray, blue and green cart service. A resident who disagrees with a schedule or service determination can appeal to the city manager.
The executive director may make rules and determinations pertaining to the storage, collection, recycling, diversion, conveyance, and disposal of solid waste consistent with this article ... including, but not limited to, the following:(1)The collection day schedules for curbside service and, when necessary to improve sanitation or reduce noise, for residential and/or commercial/industrial bin service. ... Any person aggrieved by a rule or determination of the executive director of public works shall have the right of appeal to the city manager, who shall have the authority to confirm, modify, or revoke the same. ... Subscribe to and pay for the solid waste collection contractor's three-container system collection services for weekly collection of non-recyclable gray container waste, source separated blue container recyclable materials, and source-separated green container organic materials generated by the single-family premises.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 32).
Full Breakdown
5(a)(1) authorizes the executive director to set the collection day schedules for curbside service, and, when needed to improve sanitation or reduce noise, for residential or commercial/industrial bin service. That administrative authority also covers determinations on whether a property qualifies for curbside service, whether waste meets the definition of solid waste, and how to handle service during a labor strike. 5(b) gives anyone aggrieved by one of the executive director's rules or determinations the right to appeal to the city manager, who can confirm, modify or revoke it.
5 impose the same weekly three-container subscription duty on multifamily buildings with five or more units and on commercial premises. Missing or refusing the required weekly subscription is treated as noncompliance with the article's organics diversion requirements, which the city enforces through the same administrative citation process used for other Chapter 16 violations.
Violations & Fines
A generator who does not subscribe to the required weekly three-container service, or who otherwise fails to comply with a collection-day determination made under Section 16-29.5, is subject to the city's administrative citation process. Under the escalating fine schedule in Section 16-40(a)(4), a first violation of the article's SB 1383 requirements draws a $100.00 penalty, a second violation of the same provision within a year draws $200.00, and each additional violation within that year draws $500.00.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who decides what day my Santa Ana trash gets picked up?
Can I appeal my assigned collection day or a service decision?
How often does Santa Ana pick up gray, blue and green carts?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Santa Ana
California rules heatmap·Compare Santa Ana to another location·View the California trash & recycling overview
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Collection Schedule in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Orange County handle collection schedule.