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Columbus, OH Trash & Recycling: Pickup Rules & Schedules (2026)

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

Key Facts

Removal deadline
2 p.m. day after pickup
Storage limit
within 10 feet of home/garage
Curb setback
4 feet from parked vehicles
Civil penalty
$250 per violation
Enforcing agency
Division of Refuse Collection

Summary

Columbus requires trash, recycling, and compost carts to sit at least four feet from parked vehicles at the curb, then come back within ten feet of the house by 2 p.m. the day after pickup.

Collection containers, compost containers, and lawn and leaf bags shall be placed at the point of collection, and shall be placed at least four (4) feet from any parked vehicle or other obstruction... Collection containers shall be removed from the point of collection by 2:00 p.m. on the day following the scheduled collection day and stored no more than ten (10) feet from the main structure or garage until 6:00 p.m. on the day prior to the next scheduled collection day.

Source: City of Columbus Department of Public ServiceView 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 85 | Form Based Code: ?).

Full Breakdown

Columbus's refuse collection code (Title 13) sets exact placement and timing duties for waste containers. Collection containers, compost containers, and lawn-and-leaf bags must be placed at the point of collection at least four feet from any parked vehicle or other obstruction. After collection, owners must remove containers from the curb by 2:00 p.m. the following day and store them no more than ten feet from the main structure or garage until 6:00 p.m. the day before the next scheduled collection. Yard waste containers follow the same window. The Division of Refuse Collection enforces these duties, issuing notices of violation under Chapter 1307.

Violations & Fines

Missing the removal deadline or curb setback under § 1303.021(C)(8)-(9) draws a $250 civil penalty per notice of violation, separate from the criminal enforcement available for other refuse code breaches.

Frequently Asked Questions

How soon do I have to bring my trash cart back in after pickup?
By 2:00 p.m. the day after your scheduled collection, per Columbus City Codes § 1303.021(C)(9). It must then stay within ten feet of your house or garage until 6:00 p.m. the night before the next pickup.
How far from parked cars can I set my cart out?
Collection containers, compost containers, and lawn-and-leaf bags must sit at the point of collection at least four feet from any parked vehicle or other obstruction, per § 1303.021(C)(8).

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Columbus

Collection ScheduleSome RestrictionsBulk Item DisposalSome RestrictionsRecycling RulesSome RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Construction HoursSome RestrictionsFence Regulations: Height LimitsSome RestrictionsYard Waste CollectionSome RestrictionsDumpster RulesSome RestrictionsIllegal DumpingHeavy RestrictionsBin Placement RulesSome RestrictionsRecycling RequirementsSome RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Aircraft NoiseLight RestrictionsParking Rules: Towing & Impound RightsSome RestrictionsParking Rules: EV ChargingSome RestrictionsFence Regulations: Retaining WallsSome Restrictions

All Columbus rules

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