Miami, FL Trash & Recycling: Pickup Rules & Schedules (2026)
Key Facts
- Residential frequency
- Twice a week (1-3 unit properties)
- Curbside deadline
- 6:00 a.m. collection day
- Earliest set-out
- Night before pickup
- Containers
- One city-issued container per unit
- 4+ unit buildings
- Private franchised hauler, 2-5x/week
Summary
The City of Miami collects garbage from homes and small multifamily buildings twice a week, and containers must be at the curb by 6:00 a.m. on collection day.
Garbage from single and multifamily residences of three units or less shall be collected, conveyed and disposed of by the city twice a week. Hours and days on which containers are to be collected shall be as prescribed by the director. All small trash, containerized waste, and garbage to be removed by the city shall be placed at curbside in front of the property for removal by the city as scheduled by the director, in such a manner as not to obstruct pedestrian passage or impede collection by city forces. The director may make exceptions to these rules to accommodate disabled and elderly persons. Each residence in the city shall be provided with one city issued garbage container per each residential unit to accommodate all garbage, small trash or rubbish to be removed by the city. Garbage and small trash will be placed only in the container provided by the city for this purpose. Containerized garbage shall be placed at curbside no later than 6:00 a.m. the morning of scheduled collection and no sooner than the night before and containers shall be picked up at the end of the collection day.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 23 | Ordinance 11000 (Previous Zoning Code): Supplement 22 | Miami 21 (Zoning Code): ?).
Full Breakdown
Under City Code § 22-2, single-family homes and multifamily buildings of three units or less get twice-weekly city garbage collection, with days and hours set by the solid waste director. Each residence gets one city-issued container; containerized garbage can go out no earlier than the night before and must be curbside by 6:00 a.m. on pickup day, and the empty container must be pulled back in by the end of the collection day. Buildings of four units or more, and commercial properties, are on a different track: they arrange private franchised hauling under § 22-14, with dumpster size and pickup frequency (2 to 5 times a week) scaled to unit count.
Violations & Fines
Improperly set-out garbage, illegal dumping, or accumulated waste is enforced under Chapter 22 as a code violation carrying an administrative service fee under § 22-93; failing to maintain a required commercial recycling or collection contract triggers separate penalties under §§ 22-19–22-20.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often does Miami pick up household trash?
What time does my trash need to be out?
Who collects trash at a 4-unit or larger building?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Miami
Florida rules heatmap·Compare Miami to another location·View the Florida trash & recycling overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.
Pickup Rules & Schedules in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Miami-Dade County handle pickup rules & schedules.