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Oklahoma City, OK Trash & Recycling: Pickup Rules & Schedules (2026)

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

Cart out
No earlier than 7 p.m. night before
Cart back
By 8 p.m. day after pickup
Clearance
4 feet from mailbox or tree
Runs the schedule
Utilities Dept. Solid Waste Management Division
First violation
Class "a" offense, § 49-34

Summary

Oklahoma City requires curbside trash and recycling carts to be set out no earlier than 7:00 p.m. the evening before collection and pulled back by 8:00 p.m. the following day.

The carts are not to be obstructed from the automated collection truck's ability to service the cart, including but not limited to the following: behind parked cars, behind hedges, or within four feet of either a mailbox or tree. The carts shall not be placed on the sidewalk. The Superintendent may direct a cart to be placed in the street against the curb line, if the move will assist in the stabilization of the cart when the terrain, wind, etc. hampers collection services, but the cart must not in any manner be placed where the carts will interfere with vehicular or pedestrian traffic. Carts should be placed at the curb no earlier than 7:00 p.m. or one hour before sunset, whichever is earlier, on the evening preceding the collection day and must be removed to a point at the side or rear of the structure not later than 8:00 p.m. on the day following collection.

Source: City of Oklahoma City Utilities DepartmentView official code

Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 5 Update 1).

Full Breakdown

Under City Code § 49-45(b), residents place trash and recycling carts at the curb line no earlier than 7:00 p.m. or one hour before sunset, whichever is earlier, the evening before pickup, and must haul them back to the side or rear of the house by 8:00 p.m. the day after collection. Carts can't block the automated truck's arm, no placing them behind parked cars, behind hedges, on the sidewalk, or within four feet of a mailbox or tree. The Utilities Department's Solid Waste Management Division sets the actual pickup day and can order a different placement spot where a lot's layout won't allow standard curbside service.

Violations & Fines

Leaving carts out past 8:00 p.m. the day after pickup, or blocking the collection truck's arm, is a Class "a" offense under § 49-34; a repeat conviction escalates to a Class "b" offense, and each day counts as a separate violation.

Frequently Asked Questions

When can I put my trash cart out in Oklahoma City?
No earlier than 7:00 p.m., or one hour before sunset if that's earlier, the evening before your scheduled collection day (§ 49-45(b)).
How soon do I have to bring the cart back in?
By 8:00 p.m. the day after collection, moved back to the side or rear of the house.
Can I leave my cart behind a parked car or hedge?
No. Section 49-45(b) bars any placement that blocks the automated truck's arm, including behind cars, behind hedges, or within four feet of a mailbox or tree.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Oklahoma City

All Oklahoma City rules

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