Santa Fe, NM Trash & Recycling: Collection Schedule (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing authority
- City retains exclusive collection right, § 21-3.1
- Default method
- Curbside collection, § 21-4.2
- Billing
- Monthly fee on every developed property
- Enforcing office
- Environmental services division director
- Max administrative fee
- $500 for 4th+ violation in a year
Summary
Santa Fe's environmental services division holds the exclusive right to collect residential solid waste, and every developed property is billed for curbside service. Waste goes out for pickup on the city-designated collection day; no private hauler may compete for routine residential service.
The city and its duly authorized agents or employees shall have the exclusive right within the service area to collect or gather solid waste, with the exception of nonresidential recyclables, dead animals, construction and demolition debris, hazardous wastes and other such materials which the city is prohibited by law from collecting or disposing. No person or organization may sell within the service area any services for the systematic and routine collection, transportation or disposal of garbage, trash or refuse except for nonresidential recyclables, dead animals, construction and demolition debris, hazardous wastes and other such materials which the city is prohibited by law from collecting or disposing.
Full Breakdown
1 gives the city and its authorized agents the exclusive right within the service area to collect solid waste, and bars any person or organization from selling routine residential collection, transportation or disposal services in competition with the city (exceptions exist only for nonresidential recyclables, dead animals, construction debris and hazardous waste the city cannot legally handle). 2 makes curbside collection the default method of service for residential solid waste and related recyclables, switching to an alternate city-designated location only where the solid waste division determines that site conditions make curbside pickup impossible.
1), so participation in city-run collection is not optional for property owners. 1(C) to refuse to collect waste it judges harmful, hazardous or noncompliant with weight or content rules, and must notify the responsible party and require correction before service resumes. 4.
Violations & Fines
Failure to pay the mandatory monthly service fee or to comply with chapter requirements draws escalating administrative fees under Section 21-9.1: equal to the monthly rate for a first violation at an address, double for a second, triple for a third, and up to four times the monthly rate (capped at $500) for a fourth or later violation in the same calendar year. The city may also issue a municipal court citation carrying misdemeanor-level penalties, seek injunctive relief, or pursue a public nuisance abatement action.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I hire a private company to pick up my household trash in Santa Fe?
What if my street is too narrow for curbside pickup?
Is residential collection optional if I haul my own trash?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Santa Fe
Compare Santa Fe to another location·View the New Mexico trash & recycling overview
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