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

Trash pickup in the unincorporated county is mandatory and franchise-based. County Code Section 10.41.030 requires that all solid waste be collected from every occupied residence, apartment, or business at least once a week, and the franchised hauler must provide service whether or not the property owner or tenant requested it, unless the property is expressly exempted under the Code. The County awarded a Unified Franchise Agreement, with a Service Commencement Date of January 1, 2025, under which the contractor provides solid waste, recyclables, and organic-waste collection across the unincorporated service area. The agreement sets collection windows: single-family and multi-family residential collection runs no earlier than 6:00 a.m. and no later than 6:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, with no Saturday or Sunday service except in limited circumstances; commercial collection runs no earlier than 4:00 a.m. and no later than 10:00 p.m., Monday through Saturday, but must stay within the 6 a.m.-6 p.m. window within 200 feet of single-family homes. Holidays can shift collection by a day. Because the County does not run its own trucks, residents arrange service, report missed pickups, and ask about schedules and rates through the franchised hauler. Properties may self-haul to a permitted facility only where the Code allows; otherwise mandatory franchise service applies. Skipping required service or accumulating uncollected waste can be enforced as a code violation and nuisance.