La Plata County, CO Trash & Recycling: Pickup Rules & Schedules (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- La Plata County Code § 46-56(III)
- Accumulation limit
- No more than 30 days
- Premises covered
- Residential and commercial establishments in the unincorporated area
- Material covered
- Rubbish and dead animals
- Minimum fine
- Not less than $300.00 plus surcharges, fees and court costs
Summary
In unincorporated La Plata County, Colorado, no owner or occupant of a residential or commercial establishment can let rubbish or dead animals accumulate on any premises for more than 30 days. La Plata County Code § 46-56(III) sets that outer limit on how long waste can sit before it has to be removed.
III. No owner or occupant of a residential or commercial establishment shall permit the accumulation of rubbish or dead animals upon any premises for a period in excess of 30 days.
Full Breakdown
La Plata County Code § 46-56(III) sets a hard time limit for waste on the ground: no owner or occupant of a residential or commercial establishment shall permit the accumulation of rubbish or dead animals upon any premises for a period in excess of 30 days. The limit applies in the unincorporated area of La Plata County, Colorado, under Chapter 46 as adopted by the Board of County Commissioners in Ord. No. 1997-2 on September 8, 1997.
The 30 days is measured against the material, not against a pickup route. Subsection I of the same section requires the owner or occupant to secure an approved method of collection: arrangements for transport by a commercial hauler, transport and proper disposal of a person's own rubbish to a designated facility, or, for dead animals, a designated facility or proper disposal as defined in C.R.S. § 25-1-612. Whichever method a property uses, subsection III keeps it from turning into storage.
Self-haulers pay tipping fees at the Marvel and Bayfield Solid Waste Convenience Centers under § 46-91: $3/bag with a two bag minimum for household waste, $8.00 per load for yard waste, and $19.12 per cubic yard for compactable waste, under Resolution 2023-26 effective October 24, 2023.
The next section, § 46-57, explains why the Board cares about waste left outside. Its basis statement names bears, mountain lions, skunks, raccoons, magpies, crows, foxes and coyotes, and says unsecured and unattended trash containers left in the open for extended periods are a strong attractant for wildlife and a primary cause of conflicts between wildlife and people. Subsection II of § 46-56 sits alongside the accumulation limit and makes dumping rubbish or dead animals on private or public lands unlawful except as the article provides.
Violations & Fines
Letting rubbish or dead animals sit on residential or commercial premises past the 30-day limit violates Chapter 46, Article II. Under § 46-34, conviction carries a fine of not less than $300.00 plus surcharges, fees and court costs, and the minimum mandatory fine cannot be suspended or reduced. Each offense also carries a $10.00 surcharge paid to the clerk of the court. The county can seek criminal prosecution or legal and equitable relief in court.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long can rubbish sit on my property in unincorporated La Plata County?
Does the 30-day rule reach farms and industrial property?
What counts as an approved way to get rid of rubbish?
Who can cite me for violating the limit?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in La Plata County
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