San Benito County, CA Trash & Recycling: Dumpster Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Trigger
- 5+ unit projects
- Enclosure height
- Minimum 6 feet
- Entrance visibility
- Hidden from right-of-way
- 4 or fewer units
- Individual containers allowed
Summary
Multi-family developments of five or more units in unincorporated San Benito County must enclose shared dumpsters in a screened structure at least six feet tall, hidden from public rights of way.
In developments with five units or more, shared refuse containers shall be provided, which shall be located within an enclosure or building. The applicant shall provide the County with information from the refuse pickup provider verifying the size and number of dumpsters required by the projects.
(c) Refuse enclosures shall be a minimum of six feet tall and an adequate size to accommodate the needed refuse and recycling containers.
(d) Refuse enclosures and gates shall be designed and made with durable materials to withstand heavy use. Wheel stops or curbs shall be installed to prevent dumpsters from banging into the walls of the enclosure.
(e) Lighting shall be provided at refuse enclosures for night-time security and use.
(f) Refuse enclosures shall be located so that they are convenient and close to the units they serve.
(g) The entrance of refuse enclosures shall not be visible from public rights of way.
(3) Monument signage.
(a) One monument sign may be permitted on a site provided that the site has a minimum street frontage of 75 feet in length. On corner lots, one additional monument sign may be established provided that each street frontage is at least 75 feet in length.
(b) The total sign area of a monument or pylon sign shall not exceed 80 square feet, with a maximum of 40 square feet per individual sign face.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2025 S-28: current through Ordinance 1078).
Full Breakdown
San Benito County Code § 25.08.005(I)(2) requires multi-family projects with five or more units to provide shared refuse containers inside an enclosure or building, sized and numbered based on information the applicant obtains from the refuse pickup provider. The enclosure must stand at least six feet tall, use durable materials able to withstand heavy use, include wheel stops or curbs to keep dumpsters from damaging the walls, and be lit for nighttime security. The entrance cannot be visible from public rights of way, and the enclosure must sit close to the units it serves. Developments of four units or fewer may instead use individual containers stored out of pedestrian view.
Violations & Fines
Site plans lacking a compliant refuse enclosure do not meet the county's objective multi-family design standards and can be denied approval or sent back for revision.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do apartment developments need enclosed dumpsters in unincorporated San Benito County?
Can a small four-unit project just use individual trash cans?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in San Benito County
California rules heatmap·Compare San Benito County to another location·View the California trash & recycling overview
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