Harrisburg, PA Trash & Recycling: Pickup Rules & Schedules (2026)

Section 6-309.8 of the Harrisburg Codified Ordinances, in the Public Health Code chapter on Garbage, Rubbish and Ashes, sets the set-out rule for every dwelling unit in the City of Harrisburg. The occupant stores garbage, rubbish and ash receptacles and recycling containers upon the premises and outside the habitable rooms. They cannot be kept on fire escapes, streets, sidewalks or other public places, with one exception: during the twelve-hour period before the announced time of collection, all receptacles, containers and recycling containers can be placed on the sidewalk nearest the point of collection. The section still names the Bureau of City Services, while the current collection chapter, § 9-303.2, puts collection under the Director DPW.

The chapter also sets what the containers must be. Garbage receptacles under § 6-309.4 must be durable, watertight, rust-resistant material such as metal or plastic, with a tight-fitting lid kept on except when depositing or removing refuse, a capacity of not less than 10 gallons, and a condition free of leakage or drainage, rinsed and drained as often as necessary. Rubbish receptacles under § 6-309.5 must be metal or other strong water-impervious material of not less than 1/2 bushel nor more than two bushels. Ash receptacles under § 6-309.6 are metal with tight-fitting lids, not more than one bushel. Garbage cannot share a receptacle with rubbish or ashes (§ 6-309.7).

Who supplies them depends on the building: the occupant of a dwelling unit, but the owner or operator for multifamily dwellings, rooming houses, hotels and motels (§ 6-309.1). On the collection side, § 9-303.2(F) requires all carts, dumpsters and compactors on a property to sit together at the same location, easily accessible to the street, alley or walkway where collection is made. An owner unable to comply because of age, continuing illness or physical handicap reports it to the Director DPW, and special arrangements are made without additional charge where possible. Each residential property can set out one bulk item per week, and a receptacle with ragged or sharp edges must be promptly replaced (§ 9-303.2(E), (G)).