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San Jose, CA Trash & Recycling: Holiday Pickup Schedule (2026)

Light Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

Governing rule
SJMC § 9.10.520(B)(3)
Normal cycle
Weekly, 7-day max
Holiday effect
Pickup postponed to next working day
Also excused by
Strikes, severe weather

Summary

City holidays interrupt San Jose's normal 7-day collection cycle, so trash, recycling, and organics pickup can be postponed to the next working day of your hauler.

Official holidays interrupt the normal seven (7)-day collection cycle, in which case collections may be postponed to the next working day of the Solid Waste Collector.C.The requirement for weekly removal of Solid Waste applies to all material types under the City's collection program, including Recyclable Materials, Organic Materials, Garbage and other Solid Waste. (Ords. 24315, 24718, 30684.)

View official code

Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 5 Update 3).

Full Breakdown

San Jose Municipal Code § 9.10.520 requires weekly removal of all solid waste, recyclables, and organics from every premises in the city. Subsection B.3 carves out official holidays: when a holiday interrupts the normal seven-day collection cycle, the collector may postpone that week's collection to its next working day. Check your specific hauler's calendar for the exact makeup day, since the code sets the rule but leaves the schedule to the collection agreement.

Violations & Fines

No fine attaches to the delay itself since it is authorized by code; the underlying weekly-removal duty in § 9.10.520(A) is enforced against generators who let solid waste sit past 7 days outside a recognized exception.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does a city holiday mean my trash just doesn't get picked up?
No. Under § 9.10.520(B)(3), collection is postponed to the collector's next working day, not skipped entirely.
Where do I find the exact makeup day for my address?
The Municipal Code sets the postponement rule but leaves the specific schedule to San Jose's collection agreement with its haulers: check your provider's holiday calendar.

Sources & Official References

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