Dubuque, IA Trash & Recycling: Pickup Rules & Schedules (2026)

Dubuque runs its own solid waste collection under Title 13, Chapter 6, Article A rather than through a private hauler franchise, and the City Manager, or a designee, is authorized under Section 13-6A-1 to run City trucks and crews and to set the fees. Section 13-6A-7 caps regular collection at once weekly, on a schedule the City Manager publishes for each area of the City, and every stop has to fall between 6:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m. If a City holiday lands on a collection day, the route does not automatically skip; Section 13-6A-7(B) lets the City Manager substitute a Saturday instead, and the City Manager can change or amend any published schedule at any time under Section 13-6A-7(C).

Where a customer sets a cart out matters under Section 13-6A-8: an alley customer places the cart in one location per dwelling, in clear view, right at the property line abutting the alley, while a street customer places it in one location per dwelling within the right-of-way on the owner's side of the curb. Every cart also needs a two-foot clearance radius with the lid opening toward the street or alley, and nothing may be placed at the curb more than 24 hours before the scheduled day; a cart left out more than 24 hours after collection can be removed by the City at the property owner's expense.

Waste that does not comply is left uncollected, and the owner has 24 hours to remove and store it so it does not create a health, safety, or fire hazard. The City Manager can also grant elderly or disabled residents an exception to the normal set-out rules through the Public Works Department.