Unincorporated Merced County is divided into exclusive franchise areas served by Waste Management, Gilton Solid Waste or Mid Valley Disposal. Residential collection is generally weekly. As of July 1, 2025, SB 1383-compliant service requirements apply, though low-density census tracts with CalRecycle waivers may keep service optional.
The Merced County Board of Supervisors grants exclusive franchises so that a single hauler provides curbside residential and commercial roll-off service in each part of the unincorporated county (County Code Section 9.12.020). Communities are mapped to specific haulers: Waste Management serves Ballico, Cressey, Delhi, Franklin/Beachwood, Hilmar, Le Grand, McSwain, Planada, Santa Nella, Snelling, Stevinson, Winton and the fringes of Atwater, Livingston and Merced; Gilton Solid Waste serves Dos Palos Y, El Nido, Santa Nella and areas outside Dos Palos/Los Banos; and Mid Valley Disposal serves South Dos Palos. Residential collection is generally weekly. Effective July 1, 2025, the County removed the suspension on SB 1383-compliant collection service requirements, so subscription requirements tied to organics service take effect — but the County applied for and received CalRecycle waivers for low population density census tracts (under 75 people per square mile), where subscription to collection service remains optional rather than mandatory. Residents identify their hauler and franchise area using the County's Refuse Disposal Service Area Map, and Public Works (209-385-7602) administers the program.
Operating refuse collection without a County franchise or required permit violates the solid waste ordinance (e.g., drop-box service requires a permit under Section 9.12.040). Where SB 1383-compliant service is required, non-subscribing households outside a waivered low-density tract may be subject to County enforcement; in waivered tracts service is optional.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
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Merced County does not have its own curb-color ordinance; painted curbs in the unincorporated county follow California Vehicle Code Section 21458. Red means ...
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Merced County's Unified Development Ordinance requires off-street loading for commercial, mixed-use, and industrial uses. Under Section 18.38.210, such facil...
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Merced County restricts hazardous fence materials by zone. Barbed wire, electric fence, and razor wire are allowed only in agricultural and industrial zones;...
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Beyond height, Merced County's Chapter 18.34 sets sight-distance, corner-lot, and design requirements. Fences over 7 feet need a building permit, sight-trian...
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Merced County's zoning code exempts retaining walls less than 3 feet above finished grade from setback requirements. Separately, the California Building Code...
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Merced County does not use a dedicated 'hoarding' ordinance; excessive accumulation of animals is addressed through the pet-limit and permit rules (four dogs...
See how Merced County's pickup rules & schedules rules stack up against other locations.
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