San Marcos, TX Trash & Recycling: Dumpster Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- City Code § 66.085
- Container location
- Customer's private property only
- Hauler permit
- Required from the director
- Service frequency
- Emptied at least once weekly
- Penalty range
- $150–$2,000 fine per violation
Summary
San Marcos bars commercial haulers from placing or storing dumpsters, roll-offs, and bins on public streets, alleys, or rights-of-way: containers must sit on the customer's private property, reached across a driveway.
It is unlawful for a commercial hauler to place or maintain a commercial container on any city or state street, alley, road or highway right-of-way within the city. A commercial hauler must ensure that all commercial containers serviced by it are placed and maintained on the customer's property. A permit holder must ensure that access to each commercial container serviced by it is provided across a driveway. It is unlawful for a permit holder to cross over the curb of a city or state street, alley, road or highway except at an authorized driveway.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 41).
Full Breakdown
Under Chapter 66, Article 3, every commercial solid waste hauler operating in San Marcos must hold a director-issued permit before placing a dumpster, roll-off, or bin for a business customer. Containers can't sit in the street, alley, or right-of-way: they belong on the customer's property, reached across a driveway rather than over a curb. Haulers must keep each container marked with their name and phone number, in good repair, leak- and litter-proof, and emptied at least weekly; undersized containers must be swapped for larger ones or serviced more often. Haulers also pay the city a 7% street-use fee on gross hauling revenue.
Violations & Fines
Operating without a hauler permit, or placing/maintaining a commercial container in a street, alley, or right-of-way, is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of $150 to $2,000 per violation (Sec. 66.086).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a business keep a dumpster in the alley behind its building in San Marcos?
Does a dumpster or roll-off company need a city permit to operate in San Marcos?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in San Marcos
Texas rules heatmap·Compare San Marcos to another location·View the Texas trash & recycling overview
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