Louisville, KY Trash & Recycling: Pickup Rules & Schedules (2026)
Key Facts
- Earliest set-out
- 4:00 p.m. day before pickup
- Latest set-out
- 6:00 a.m. on collection day
- Container removal deadline
- 4:00 p.m. day after collection
- Enforced by
- Department and IPL
Summary
Louisville Metro household garbage must go out between 4 p.m. the day before and 6 a.m. on collection day, with empty containers pulled in by 4 p.m. the next day.
All household garbage must be set out by 6:00 a.m. on the collection day designated by the waste hauler, and may not be set out earlier than 4:00 p.m. on the day before the collection. All containers must be removed from the street or alley no later than 4:00 p.m. the day after collection.
(B) Enforcement. In addition to enforcement by the Department, IPL shall have authority to issue notices and citations for violations subsections (A)(1) through (A)(6) of this section. (1994 Jeff. Code, § 51.04) (Jeff. Ord. 1-1991, adopted and effective 1-29-1991; Jeff. Am. Ord. 3-1996, adopted and effective 1-23-1996; Lou. Metro Am. Ord. No. 44-2005, passed 4-19-2005; Lou. Metro Am. Ord. No. 160-2005, approved 10-18- 2005; Lou. Metro Am. Ord. No. 91-2020, approved 8-10-2020) Penalty, see § 51.999
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-47: Supplement contains: Local legislation current through Ordinances passed by the Council and approved by the Mayor as of July 1, 2026).
Full Breakdown
Under the Code of Ordinances, household garbage can't hit the curb before 4:00 p.m. the day before your scheduled pickup, and it must be out by 6:00 a.m. on collection day itself. Once the truck comes through, containers can't just sit there, they have to be back off the street or alley by 4:00 p.m. the day after collection. The Department of Public Works and Assets enforces the rule alongside Metro's Inspections, Permits and Licenses (IPL) division, which can issue notices and citations for violations.
Violations & Fines
IPL and the Department can issue citations for early set-out, late pickup, or containers left curbside past 4 p.m. the following day.
Frequently Asked Questions
How early can I put my trash cart out in Louisville Metro?
When does my empty cart have to come off the curb?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Louisville
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