San Mateo County, CA Trash & Recycling: Pickup Rules & Schedules (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing chapter
- County Code Chapter 4.04
- Collection frequency
- Weekly (garbage, recycling, organics)
- Franchised hauler (CSA-8/franchise areas)
- Recology San Mateo County
- Non-exclusive franchise haulers
- GreenWaste, Republic, SSF Scavenger, Kunz Valley
- Mandatory minimum service
- Yes: residential Service Area parcels
- Billing
- Minimum service via property tax
Summary
In the unincorporated Service Area, County Code Chapter 4.04 establishes mandatory minimum residential collection: garbage, recycling, and organics carts picked up once a week. Recology San Mateo County serves franchised areas including County Service Area 8 (North Fair Oaks); other unincorporated pockets are served by GreenWaste, Republic Services, South San Francisco Scavenger, or Kunz Valley Trash under non-exclusive franchises.
It is the intent of the Legislature to support the adoption of policies that improve organics recycling and innovative, cost effective, and environmentally beneficial uses of biomethane derived from solid waste facilities. (c) It is intent of the Legislature that the disposal reduction targets established pursuant to Section 39730.6 of the Health and Safety Code shall serve as a statewide average target and not as a minimum requirement for each jurisdiction. SEC. 2. Section 39730.5 is added to the Health and Safety Code, to read: 39730.5. (a) No later than January 1, 2018, the state board shall approve and begin implementing the comprehensive short-lived climate pollutant strategy developed
Full Breakdown
04 (Solid Waste Collection, Transport, Storage, and Disposal) governs collection in the unincorporated area. 250). The base residential service is one garbage cart, one recycling cart, and one organics cart, each collected weekly; service beyond the minimum is contracted directly with the hauler at Board-set rates. The franchised hauler differs by location: Recology San Mateo County holds the franchise for County franchised areas including County Service Area 8 (North Fair Oaks), while non-exclusive franchise areas are served by haulers such as Greenwaste Recovery, Republic Services, South San Francisco Scavenger Company, and Kunz Valley Trash.
Residents in some unincorporated communities coordinate with adjacent city programs. For Recology customers, the company empties carts on a fixed weekly service day; residents find their service day through Recology's website or by calling the hauler. 100). Self-hauling of waste is permitted in limited circumstances but does not relieve a residential parcel of the minimum-service obligation in the Service Area.
Violations & Fines
Skipping mandatory minimum service in the Service Area is not permitted, since charges are billed through the property tax. Setting out unbagged loose refuse, missing the weekly service day, or improperly contained materials in transit can lead to non-collection or, where refuse accumulates, a property-maintenance nuisance referral.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often is trash collected in unincorporated San Mateo County?
Who is my garbage hauler if I live in an unincorporated area?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in San Mateo County
California rules heatmap·Compare San Mateo County to another location·View the California trash & recycling overview
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