Clackamas County, OR Trash & Recycling: Pickup Rules & Schedules (2026)
Key Facts
- Who may collect for pay
- franchised hauler or its subcontractor only
- Governing section
- Code § 10.03.140(A)
- New franchise start deadline
- 1 month, § 10.03.260(A)(1)
- Notice before dropping a service area
- 90 days
- Penalty
- civil penalty set by Board resolution
Summary
Only a county-franchised hauler or its approved subcontractor may collect solid waste for pay in unincorporated Clackamas County. Self-hauling for compensation, or hiring an unfranchised company, is unlawful under the Solid Waste and Waste Management Chapter and carries a civil penalty.
A. Except as provided in 10.03.050 of this chapter, it shall be unlawful for any person to store, collect, transport, or dispose of any solid waste or wastes for compensation unless such person is franchised, in accordance with the provisions of Section 10.03.140 to 10.03.330 of this chapter, or is a subcontractor of a Collection Service Franchise holder under Section 10.03.260.
B. Except as provided in 10.03.050 and Section 10.03.140 of this chapter, it shall be unlawful for any person to create or maintain a disposal site unless METRO, DEQ and the County approve such site.
C. Except as provided in 10.03.050 and Sections 10.03.140 to 10.03.330 of this chapter, it shall be unlawful for any person to create or maintain a Transfer Station unless METRO, DEQ and the County approve such site.
D. No person shall collect, transport, or dispose of any solid waste or wastes or recyclable material of their tenant. The only exceptions are:
1. The use of an on-site compactor at multi-family developments whereby said development owners, management, or their employees transport the on-site containers and empty their contents into the compactor, subject to the following conditions:
Full Breakdown
090, monitors franchise territories and recommends new franchises, fee changes and revocations to the Board of County Commissioners. 050 exempts areas inside incorporated cities, federal and state agencies without an intergovernmental agreement, and holders of a DEQ waste tire permit. 260(A)(1) and cannot drop a customer or a service area without 90 days' written notice to the Commission and affected customers, or seven days' notice before terminating an individual account for nonpayment. A franchisee may refuse pickup where road access, hazards or steep private driveways make collection unsafe, but must give the customer and the Director written notice of the refusal within seven days.
Violations & Fines
Operating as an unfranchised hauler, or paying one, violates Section 10.03.140 and is punishable under Section 10.03.400 by a civil penalty set by resolution of the Board of County Commissioners, in addition to any penalty state law allows. The Board or County Counsel can also pursue an injunction, mandamus or abatement action under Section 10.03.390 to stop unlicensed collection, and repeat violations can be referred to the Compliance Hearings Officer for a civil penalty and cost recovery.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I hire any garbage company to pick up my trash in unincorporated Clackamas County?
Can my franchised hauler just stop picking up my trash?
What happens if someone hauls trash for money without a franchise?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Clackamas County
Compare Clackamas County to another location·View the Oregon trash & recycling overview
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