Bozeman, MT Trash & Recycling: Pickup Rules & Schedules (2026)

Section 32.02.040(B) of the Bozeman Municipal Code is the core pickup rule for the City of Bozeman. It is unlawful to cause or allow solid waste to be placed at the designated point of collection without being contained within a suitable container. The one carve-out covers bulk: when a property's solid waste is too bulky or too large to fit in the containers provided, the owner, occupant or operator can place it outside the containers, provided they arrange for a special pickup or place a tag on all items of solid waste to be removed. The person is then charged as set forth in § 32.02.060, which sets a special pick-up rate for additional or excess solid waste based on the type and amount of waste.

What counts as solid waste is defined in § 32.02.010: refuse, animal, plant and vegetable matter, ashes, floor sweepings, waste paper and the like. It does not include animal or poultry manure, basement, foundation or lawn excavations, loose earth from excavations of any kind, trees other than small prunings, or debris from construction or wreckage of buildings that is not a menace to public health. In case of doubt or dispute, the director of transportation and engineering decides, and that decision is final and conclusive.

Some materials are barred from the receptacle altogether. Under § 32.02.080, no person can place in or near the receptacle any highly inflammable wastes, acids or explosives of any kind, including hot ashes, and the owner disposes of them in the manner the manufacturer directs. Under § 32.02.090, unauthorized dumping of hazardous materials or wastes into the collection system is expressly prohibited and carries the remedies and penalties in the state statutes. Section 32.02.100 makes it unlawful to dispose of untreated infectious waste in the city landfill.

Tagging and container failures draw a fast clock. Under § 32.02.030, if excess items are not properly tagged or a special pick up is not arranged, the director of transportation and engineering can post a violation notice on the container, and the violation must be corrected within 24 hours. A repeat within six months lets the director require the next size container and charge accordingly. The department of transportation and engineering administers all of this under § 32.02.050.