Erie, PA Trash & Recycling: Pickup Rules & Schedules (2026)
Key Facts
- Authorized collectors
- City or its contracted hauler only
- Early set-out limit
- Not more than 24 hrs before collection ends
- Enforcement
- Housing Inspector, Division of Housing Inspection
- Warnings before citation
- One per offender per year
- Penalty (951.06)
- Fine only, no jail
Summary
Erie residents cannot leave refuse in the street between collections. Only the City or its licensed contractor may haul residential refuse, garbage must stay curbside on the regular collection day, and nobody may set bags out more than 24 hours before the end of that day.
No person shall remove or convey, or cause or permit to be removed or conveyed any residential refuse, recyclables or compost upon or along any public street or other public place in the City. However, the provisions of this section shall not apply to any person in the employ of the City who shall be assigned the work of collection and disposal of any residential refuse, recyclables or compost, or to any person with whom the City has entered into a contract for the collection, removal and disposal of any residential refuse, recyclables or compost... No person shall cause or permit to be deposited any refuse upon or in any public street, alley, vacant lot or other public places in the City. However, garbage and rubbish in approved containers or bags should be placed alongside the curb or paved portion of the street, without obstructing traffic, at any time during the regular collection day for such property. Placement of such garbage, rubbish or other refuse prior to 24 hours before the end of the collection day shall be punishable under the penalty provision of this article.
Full Breakdown
Article 951 of the Codified Ordinances puts the Bureau of Refuse and Recycling, under the Department of Public Works, Property and Parks, in sole charge of residential collection. 03 bars any person from removing or conveying residential refuse, recyclables or compost along a public street, except a City employee assigned to collection or an employee of a company under contract with the City for that work. 05 makes it illegal for anyone other than the property owner, a City officer, or the City's contracted hauler to interfere with a resident's refuse can or bag, remove it from where the owner set it, or take its contents.
06 separately bans dumping refuse in any public street, alley, vacant lot or public place, but allows approved containers or bags to be placed curbside without obstructing traffic during the regular collection day for that property; placing garbage or rubbish more than 24 hours before the end of the collection day is a punishable violation. 06 and may issue only one warning per offender per year before a citation must be written.
Violations & Fines
Violating the early set-out rule (951.06) is punishable only by fine under Section 951.99, with no jail term. Violations of the other refuse-collection provisions in Article 951 carry a fine of $100 to $1,000 and up to 90 days imprisonment, with each day of continued violation a separate offense. A tipster whose information leads to a conviction can be paid a $100 reward from the fine collected.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I put my trash out the night before pickup in Erie?
Can a private hauler pick through my trash cans in Erie?
Who enforces Erie's trash placement rules?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Erie
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