Santa Rosa, CA Trash & Recycling: Pickup Rules & Schedules (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing sections
- SRCC §§ 9-12.120, 9-12.130
- Minimum frequency
- At least once per calendar week
- Restaurants
- As often as health rules require, weekly floor
- Collector
- Exclusive City-contracted hauler only
- Penalty
- Misdemeanor, § 9-12.040(B)
Summary
Santa Rosa City Code § 9-12.120 and § 9-12.130 require the contractor to remove accumulated garbage and organic waste from restaurants, businesses, and every other occupied place at least once each calendar week.
(A) Every person occupying or having charge or control of a restaurant shall have all garbage and organic waste accumulated from such restaurant removed therefrom by the contractor as often as necessary in order to comply with any appropriate state or local health and safety regulations, but in no case shall such removal take place less often than once each calendar week. (B) Every person occupying or having charge or control of any place of business, as defined in Section 9-12.010, other than a restaurant, where there is any accumulation of garbage and organic waste, shall have such garbage and organic waste removed therefrom at least once each calendar week by the contractor. Section 9-12.130: Every person occupying or having charge or control of any place other than a place of business as defined in Section 9-12.010, where there is any accumulation of garbage, shall have such garbage removed at least once each calendar week by the contractor.
Full Breakdown
120(A) sets the strictest floor for restaurants: garbage and organic waste must be removed by the contractor "as often as necessary" to satisfy state or local health and safety rules, but in no case less often than once each calendar week. 010, where garbage and organic waste accumulate. 130 closes the gap for everywhere else, homes, non-business premises, anywhere garbage accumulates, requiring removal at least once each calendar week by the contractor. Together the two sections mean no occupied property in Santa Rosa can go longer than seven days between garbage pickups, regardless of use.
180 gives the collection contractor the exclusive right to collect and transport garbage, organic waste, and recyclables for a fee, the weekly minimum can only be satisfied through that contracted service, not a self-arranged private pickup. 040, with authority to inspect the property, and any violation, whether a restaurant letting garbage sit past a week or a business skipping its scheduled service, is a misdemeanor under that section.
Violations & Fines
Letting garbage or organic waste accumulate for more than one calendar week without contractor removal violates § 9-12.120 or § 9-12.130, and any violation of Chapter 9-12 is a misdemeanor under § 9-12.040(B), enforced by the City Manager.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often must trash be picked up in Santa Rosa?
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Can I skip a scheduled pickup to save money?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Santa Rosa
California rules heatmap·Compare Santa Rosa to another location·View the California trash & recycling overview
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