Highland, CA Trash & Recycling: Dumpster Rules (2026)

Section 8.12.160 puts the duty on every person designated under § 8.12.050, meaning the owner and the occupant of developed property in the City of Highland, whether residential, commercial or industrial. Two tests apply. The first is capacity: the containers must hold, without spilling, all refuse that would ordinarily accumulate on the premises between two successive collections. A business with more waste needs more or larger bins, and § 8.12.190(C) lets the public works subcommittee specify the frequency of collection for commercial or multifamily premises and the size and number of bins required. The second is location: the suitable place is the location defined by the city's development code, zoning code or general plan.

The section speaks of containers, not dumpsters. Those containers must conform to the standard container or bin the city designates under § 8.12.170(B), and no container can be delivered by the grantee to a location the chapter or the development code does not authorize under § 8.12.170(C). On collection day, § 8.12.200 requires commercial bins to be accessible to the contractor, while residential containers go to the curb or right-of-way.

Commercial collection is franchised. Under § 8.12.080 the City Council can award franchises, contracts or permits for refuse collection from commercial properties, including industrial, governmental, institutional and mobilehome parks, with rates set by class based on volume, frequency of collection and waste stream composition. Commercial recycling is a mandatory service under § 8.12.120(D). The collector must keep furnished containers and bins in good repair and replace them as necessary under § 8.12.290(F).

There is a relief valve for remote residential lots. Under § 8.12.350(A), where a parcel is over two and one-half acres or the lot or residence is extremely removed from the street, an exception to § 8.12.160 can waive placement of standard containers if the containers are screened from the street as the development code requires, the city's code compliance officer validates the need, and a one-time fee of $22.00 is paid for initial verification.