San Diego County, CA Trash & Recycling: Pickup Rules & Schedules (2026)

Unlike a single municipal hauler, the unincorporated County uses a non-exclusive franchise system. County Code Sec. 68.530 makes it unlawful to collect discarded materials in the unincorporated area without a non-exclusive franchise agreement (NEFA) or Certified Recyclable Materials Collector certificate; the combined number of single-family and multi-family/commercial collectors is capped (29 collectors under the prior SWMA system through June 30, 2021). Residents and businesses choose from the County's list of franchised haulers. Under Sec. 68.570 and 68.571, owners/occupants in densely-populated communities (e.g., Spring Valley, Lakeside, Ramona, Fallbrook) must subscribe to a three-stream collection service - solid waste, source-separated recyclables, and source-separated organics - and place each material in its designated container, or self-haul under Sec. 68.572. Sparsely-populated communities (e.g., Campo, Boulevard, Warner Springs, Ranchita) have reduced organics obligations. The County's Solid Waste Ordinance (Chapter 5) incorporates state recycling laws including AB 341, AB 1826, AB 827, and SB 1383. A violation of Sec. 68.571 is an infraction (potential misdemeanor for repeat offenders). Containers may not overflow and must be set out within the timing window in Sec. 68.571(h).