Salt Lake City, UT Trash & Recycling: Pickup Rules & Schedules (2026)
Key Facts
- Earliest setout
- Evening before collection day
- Setout deadline
- 7:00 A.M. on collection day
- Spacing
- 3 feet from curb/vehicles/obstructions
- Empty cart removal
- Same day as emptied
- Managed by
- Dept. of Sustainability
Summary
Salt Lake City limits when you can set automated refuse and recycling containers out and requires empty carts pulled back same day.
Such containers may not be set out upon the street for collection prior to the evening of the day before collection, and shall be set out on the day of collection by seven o'clock (7:00) A.M. and spaced three feet (3') (where possible) from the curb, any parked vehicle, other container, and any other obstruction, as designated by the department of sustainability.
B. The property owner, manager, or resident is responsible for ensuring that automated containers placed for collection are accessible to the service provider's collection vehicle.
C. All empty automated containers shall be removed from the street as soon as practicable after being emptied and shall be removed from the street the same day they are emptied. (Ord. 49-16, 2016: Ord. 72-15, 2015)
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-21: Code current through: Ord. 40-26, passed June 16, 2026).
Full Breakdown
City-serviced automated refuse, recycling, glass recycling, and green waste containers can't hit the curb before the evening prior to your collection day, and must be out by 7:00 A.M. on collection day, spaced three feet from the curb, parked cars, other containers, and obstructions where possible. The property owner, manager, or resident must keep containers accessible to the collection truck. Empty carts must come back off the street the same day they're emptied.
Violations & Fines
Containers set out too early or left at the curb after pickup, blocked/inaccessible carts, and improper materials can trigger service refusal or code enforcement under Chapter 9.08.
Frequently Asked Questions
How early can I put my trash can out in Salt Lake City?
When must my empty cart be off the street?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Salt Lake City
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Pickup Rules & Schedules in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Salt Lake County handle pickup rules & schedules.