Santa Barbara County, CA Trash & Recycling: Pickup Rules & Schedules (2026)

Solid waste collection in unincorporated Santa Barbara County is administered by the Public Works Department's Resource Recovery & Waste Management Division through an exclusive franchise system that divides the unincorporated county into five service zones (Zones 1-5), covering the South Coast, Goleta/Santa Ynez/Lompoc/Santa Maria valley unincorporated areas and Cuyama. After a competitive bid, MarBorg Industries replaced Waste Management as the hauler for the unincorporated Lompoc, Santa Maria, and Santa Ynez valleys effective July 1, 2024, making MarBorg the County's franchise hauler across the unincorporated zones; the County subsequently amended Solid Waste Code Chapter 17 (adopted March 3, 2026) to allow a single hauler countywide, replacing an earlier requirement for at least two haulers. MarBorg provides 'regular trash, recyclables, and organic waste service' from homes and businesses, with carts available in 35-, 64-, and 96-gallon sizes. For small residential customers, trash is collected once a week, and recycling and green/yard waste containers are provided. Under MarBorg's residential rules, carts must be placed at the curb 'no later than 6:00 a.m. on collection day,' and containers must be removed from the roadway within 12 hours after collection. Service days vary by address; customers can look up their schedule on MarBorg's site or call (805) 963-1852. Incorporated cities arrange their own collection.