Royal Oak Township, MI Trash & Recycling: Pickup Rules & Schedules (2026)

The pickup rules in Chapter 22, Article II of the Charter Township of Royal Oak Code begin with a duty on the property. Under § 22-20(a), owners, proprietors and persons in charge of every dwelling house, store, manufacturing establishment, office building or other building must place all garbage and rubbish accumulating on the premises in suitable containers or receptacles provided by the owner or other person in charge.

Section 22-20(b) sets the container standard. Garbage receptacles must be watertight containers with tightfitting covers sufficient to keep out water and to prevent disturbance by animals. Residential garbage receptacles run not less than five nor more than 20 gallons. Section 22-20(c) sets five to 30 gallons for manufacturing and commercial buildings, requires handles by which each garbage receptacle can be lifted, and caps residential rubbish receptacles at one bushel so one individual collector can handle the contents.

Section 22-21 adds two sorting rules. All garbage from residential buildings must be securely wrapped before it goes into an approved receptacle. Noncombustible rubbish must go in separate containers and can never be intermingled with garbage or placed in garbage receptacles. The definitions in § 22-19 draw the line: garbage is rejected food waste, including animal, fruit or vegetable matter from preparing, cooking or storing food, while noncombustible rubbish includes ashes, dirt and other noncombustible materials, except what accumulates from erecting or repairing buildings.

The Township Supervisor, or an authorized representative, provides for collection under § 22-23. Section 22-24 governs when containers go to the curb, and § 22-25 requires a Township Clerk permit for anyone carting garbage or rubbish over township streets, alleys or public places, with an exemption for removing waste from property the person owns or controls. Section 22-27 prohibits depositing, throwing or burying garbage in a street, alley or public place, or leaving it on another person's premises.