Des Moines Chapter 98 mandates weekly curbside garbage collection with strict cart placement rules. Carts must be at the curb by 7 AM on collection day, no earlier than 5 PM the prior evening. Recycling is city-provided weekly; multifamily properties with 5+ units must provide on-site recycling.
Chapter 98 (Solid Waste), Article II, Division 2, § 98-54 establishes collection standards. Garbage is collected weekly on an assigned route day. Residents must: place carts at curb no later than 7:00 a.m. on collection day (no earlier than 5:00 p.m. prior evening); position carts on a level surface no more than 18 inches from the street with 3 feet clearance from structures; keep lids closed; and retrieve carts within 12 hours after collection. Extra bags require a $1 city-issued pink sticker; bulk items need a $5 sticker. City-issued recycling carts are collected weekly. Multifamily properties with five or more units must provide on-site recycling under Chapter 98. Disability exemptions for non-curbside pickup are available.
Violations of Chapter 98 placement or container rules are municipal infractions. Fines are assessed under the general penalty provisions; repeated violations may result in escalating civil penalties.
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