Thousand Oaks, CA Trash & Recycling: Dumpster Rules (2026)

701 requires that Solid Waste, Recyclable Materials and Organics Collection Containers serving Commercial, Mixed-Use Dwelling and Multi-Family (MFD-C) locations on centralized service be screened and stored in a Waste Enclosure at all times except while the Contractor is servicing them, built to the City's Waste Enclosure Design Guidelines. The enclosure's design and finish must match the architecture of the building it serves, be covered with a roof in a style the City approves, and a standard three-bin enclosure must measure at least 8 feet deep, 20 feet wide across the front, and 9 feet high at its lowest interior point.

Employee access gates need self-closing hinges, and the City requires at least two "Recycle" and two "Compostables" signs purchased from Public Works, posted at waist level on the gates and near eye level on the back wall. 702 adds siting rules: enclosures should stay out of view from a public street where practical, gates cannot sit exposed to the street unless the design matches the building, walk-up access for multi-family or mixed-use residents cannot exceed 150 feet from the farthest unit, other commercial buildings cannot exceed 250 feet from the enclosure, and containers must stay 5 feet from combustible walls or roof eaves unless the enclosure has automatic fire sprinklers. Compactor units that are self-contained and watertight are exempt from the enclosure requirement if the surrounding area stays free of litter and debris.