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Philadelphia, PA Trash & Recycling: Pickup Rules & Schedules (2026)

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

Key Facts

Winter set-out window
5 p.m. prior day to 7 a.m.
Summer set-out window
7 p.m. prior day to 7 a.m.
Standard fine
$50 per notice of violation
Enforcing agency
Streets Dept. / L&I / police

Summary

City waste and recycling can only go to the curb within a fixed evening-to-morning window set by season, not whenever you like.

From October 1st through March 31st, before 7:00 a.m. on the day of collection, but not before 5:00 p.m. on the previous day. (b) From April 1st through September 30th, before 7:00 a.m. on the day of collection, but not before 7:00 p.m. on the previous day.

Source: City of Philadelphia Department of SanitationView official code

Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 Code: Electronic version of The Philadelphia Code and Home Rule Charter is current through August 19, 2026).

Full Breakdown

Philadelphia Code Section 10-726 sets curbside placement windows for city-collected municipal waste and recyclable materials. From October 1 through March 31, materials must go out no earlier than 5:00 p.m. the day before collection and no later than 7:00 a.m. on collection day. From April 1 through September 30, the earliest set-out time shifts to 7:00 p.m. the prior evening, with the same 7:00 a.m. cutoff. Section 10-717 separately requires residents to sort out designated recyclables from municipal waste under the Department's collection regulations before setting materials out.

Violations & Fines

Violations are enforced under Section 10-718 with a standard $50 stipulated payment for a notice of violation; inspectors and police can consider whether waste was left at the curb outside the set-out window, plus evidence like address-bearing mail found in the refuse.

Frequently Asked Questions

How early can I put trash out in Philadelphia?
Not before 5 p.m. the day before collection in winter (Oct 1-Mar 31), or 7 p.m. in summer (Apr 1-Sep 30); it must be out by 7 a.m. on collection day.
Do I have to separate recycling from trash?
Yes. Section 10-717 requires owners to separate designated recyclable materials from municipal waste before setting it out for city collection.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Philadelphia

Collection ScheduleSome RestrictionsBulk Item DisposalSome RestrictionsRecycling RulesSome RestrictionsIllegal DumpingHeavy RestrictionsDumpster RulesSignificant RestrictionsBin Placement RulesSome RestrictionsRecycling RequirementsSome RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Decibel LimitsSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Towing & Impound RightsSome RestrictionsParking Rules: EV ChargingSignificant RestrictionsParking Rules: Snow Removal Parking RulesSignificant RestrictionsAnimal Ordinances: Mandatory Spay/NeuterSignificant RestrictionsAnimal Ordinances: Wildlife FeedingHeavy Restrictions

All Philadelphia rules

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