Alachua County, FL Trash & Recycling: Dumpster Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Applies to
- Multi-family (10+ units), commercial, mixed-use, industrial
- Location
- Principal building or rear/interior side setback
- Screening material
- Masonry walls or wood fencing, min. 6 feet high
- Gate
- One opaque, lockable gate required
- Cross-referenced
- Must be consistent with § 75.302 collection rules
- Penalty
- Up to $500 fine / 60 days jail (§ 10.08)
Summary
Multi-family developments over ten units, and all commercial, mixed-use, and industrial developments in unincorporated Alachua County must provide garbage and recycling dumpsters that are fully enclosed or screened on all sides with masonry or wood fencing at least six feet tall, behind a lockable opaque gate.
Multiple-family developments containing more than ten dwelling units in total and all commercial, mixed-use, and industrial developments shall provide garbage and recycling collection bins or dumpsters consistent with Section 75.302 of the Alachua County Code. (a) Location. All garbage and recycling bins or dumpsters shall be located within designated areas in a principal building or within a rear or interior side setback. For multiple-family developments, recycling bins or dumpsters shall be located adjacent to the commercial service container for the collection of garbage, or at an alternate location approved by the DRC. (b) Screening. All garbage and recycling collection bins or dumpsters shall be fully enclosed and screened as follows: (1) Screening may be achieved by designating an enclosed space for solid waste facilities within a principal building or within an accessory structure. (2) Where solid waste storage areas are not enclosed within a principal building or accessory structure, they must be completely screened on all sides, with an opaque, lockable gate on one side. Screening shall be constructed of masonry walls or wood fencing with a minimum height of six feet.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 63).
Full Breakdown
302 of the Alachua County Code. Subsection (a) confines the location: bins or dumpsters must sit within a designated area inside the principal building or within a rear or interior side setback, and for multiple-family developments the recycling bins or dumpsters must be placed adjacent to the commercial service container for garbage collection, or at an alternate location the Development Review Committee approves. Subsection (b) sets the screening standard: all garbage and recycling bins or dumpsters must be fully enclosed and screened, either by designating an enclosed space within the principal building or an accessory structure, or, where not enclosed within a building or accessory structure, by complete screening on all sides using masonry walls or wood fencing at least six feet high with an opaque, lockable gate on one side. The requirement was adopted as part of the county's Unified Land Development Code and last amended by Ordinance No. 2020-25.
Violations & Fines
A development that installs an unscreened or improperly located dumpster is subject to code enforcement action under Chapter 24 of the Alachua County Code, with penalties as provided in Section 10.08: a fine of up to $500.00, up to 60 days in the county jail, or both, for each violation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do all businesses need to screen their dumpsters in unincorporated Alachua County?
What counts as adequate dumpster screening under county rules?
Where on a commercial site can a dumpster be placed?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Alachua County
Florida rules heatmap·Compare Alachua County to another location·View the Florida trash & recycling overview
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