Merced County, CA Trash & Recycling: Collection Schedule (2026)
Key Facts
- Minimum frequency
- Once each week (§ 9.08.020)
- Disposal destination
- Authorized solid waste disposal site only
- Self-haul allowed
- Yes, but weekly duty still applies
- Collector requirement
- County franchise or permit required (§ 9.12.010)
- First violation penalty
- $1,000 administrative fine
- Repeat violation penalty
- $1,500 then $3,000 per year
- Enforcing agencies
- Public Works, Public Health, Code Compliance
Summary
In unincorporated Merced County, every occupied home and business must have refuse hauled away at least once a week to an authorized disposal site under County Code Section 9.08.020. The county health officer or public works director can order more frequent pickups for health or safety reasons, and residents may self-haul but cannot skip the weekly requirement.
A. The owner of an occupied dwelling house or other place of human habitation, including business establishments, which results in the production or accumulation of refuse, shall have refuse removed from the premises at least once each week and disposed of at an authorized solid waste disposal site, except as otherwise provided in this chapter. The owner of premises upon which a hotel, restaurant, boardinghouse or other garbage-producing business is operated shall have all such garbage removed from the premises at least once each week and disposed of at an authorized solid waste disposal site. B. The director or health officer may require a greater or lesser number of collections per week if deemed necessary for the health, safety and welfare of the citizens.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4930839; v8 updated 2026-06-02).
Full Breakdown
010 requires that all refuse generated on a property be removed at least once a week and delivered to an authorized solid waste disposal site; construction debris may stay on site during active work under a valid building permit, and garden rubbish may be composted with health officer approval. 020 places the weekly removal duty squarely on the property owner: any occupied dwelling, place of habitation, or business establishment that generates refuse must have it removed and disposed of at an authorized site at least once each week, and hotels, restaurants, and boardinghouses face the same weekly minimum for garbage.
The county's director of public works or health officer can order a greater or lesser number of weekly collections if the change is necessary for public health, safety, or welfare. 020. 010 bars anyone from collecting, transporting, or disposing of refuse in the unincorporated area without a county franchise or permit. 180.
Violations & Fines
Failing to have refuse removed weekly is a misdemeanor under Section 9.08.190, punishable under Chapter 1.28 of the county code. Because the violation is treated as an immediate health and safety danger, Section 9.08.200 also authorizes an administrative penalty set at the same amounts used for Penal Code Section 374.3 violations: $1,000 for a first violation, $1,500 for a second violation of the same section within one year, and $3,000 for each additional violation within that year.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often must trash be collected in unincorporated Merced County?
Can I haul my own garbage instead of hiring a collector?
What fine applies if my property misses the weekly collection requirement?
Who can pick up my trash in unincorporated Merced County?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Merced County
California rules heatmap·Compare Merced County to another location·View the California trash & recycling overview
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