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Tarrant County, TX Trash & Recycling: Pickup Rules & Schedules (2026)

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

Key Facts

No County-provided
No county-provided trash collection service
Residents Contract
Residents contract directly with private haulers
Tceq Regulates
TCEQ regulates waste transport under Chapter 330
Illegal Dumping
Illegal dumping criminal under Health and Safety Code 365.012
Hoas Sometimes
HOAs sometimes arrange subdivision-wide collection contracts

Summary

Tarrant County does not operate residential trash collection in unincorporated areas. Residents contract with private haulers such as Waste Management or Republic Services for weekly pickup.

City-specific rules exist: Grapevine, North Richland Hills, Mansfield, Keller, and Fort Worth have their own pickup rules & schedules rules that differ from Tarrant County's county-level regulations. If you live in one of those cities, check the city-specific page instead.

Sec. 365.012. ILLEGAL DUMPING; DISCARDING LIGHTED MATERIALS; CRIMINAL PENALTIES. (a) A person commits an offense if the person disposes or allows or permits the disposal of litter or other solid waste at a place that is not an approved solid waste site, including a place on or within 300 feet of a public highway, on a right-of-way, on other public or private property, or into inland or coastal water of the state. ... (d) An offense under Subsection (a), (b), or (c) is a Class C misdemeanor if the litter or other solid waste to which the offense applies weighs five pounds or less or has a volume of five gallons or less.

Source: Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 361View official code

Full Breakdown

Unincorporated Tarrant County does not provide municipal solid waste collection. Residents and HOAs contract directly with private licensed waste haulers who provide curbside trash, recycling, and yard waste pickup on weekly or biweekly schedules. Major providers serving the unincorporated areas include Waste Management, Republic Services, Community Waste Disposal, and Trinity Trash Services, among others. There is no county subscription mandate, meaning residents may choose their own hauler or, in theory, haul their own waste to a permitted landfill or transfer station. State law under the Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 361 (the Texas Solid Waste Disposal Act) and Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) rules require that solid waste be disposed of at a permitted facility rather than dumped or burned on private property.

012, ranging from Class C misdemeanor to felony depending on quantity and materials. Haulers operating in the county must comply with TCEQ Chapter 330 waste transporter requirements and typically hold local business permits. Pickup schedules vary by hauler and neighborhood, usually with set-out times of 7 AM or earlier on collection day. Bins must be set at the curb or designated collection point, and service is generally suspended for federal holidays with rolling delays. HOA-managed subdivisions sometimes negotiate bulk contracts with a single hauler for all residents.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Tarrant County pick up my trash?
No. The county does not provide residential trash service in unincorporated areas. You must subscribe to a private hauler or lawfully transport waste to a permitted facility.
Can I burn my household trash instead?
No. TCEQ outdoor burning rules and Tarrant County regulations prohibit burning household waste. It can release toxic pollutants and result in citations. Use a licensed hauler or a permitted transfer station.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Tarrant County

All Tarrant County rules

Texas rules heatmap·Compare Tarrant County to another location·View the Texas trash & recycling overview

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Pickup Rules & Schedules in Cities Across Tarrant County