Scranton, PA Trash & Recycling: Pickup Rules & Schedules (2026)
Key Facts
- Receptacle size
- 3 to 26 gallons, covered
- Annual fee
- $300 per dwelling unit
- Early payment discount
- 10% by April 15
- 6+ unit buildings
- Must use private hauler
- Unpaid fee penalty
- $500-$1,000 fine
Summary
Scranton requires every dwelling to use tight, covered garbage receptacles of 3 to 26 gallons, placed in the yard where collectors can reach them, under §§ 400-4 and 400-6 of the Solid Waste Code. The City itself collects residential refuse for a $300 annual fee per dwelling unit, billed under § 400-12, with a 10% discount for paying by the April deadline.
Each and every owner, tenant, housekeeper and other person occupying any dwelling, house or other building or portion thereof in the City, in which garbage, ashes and rubbish material accumulate and are to be removed therefrom by the City, shall properly provide for such removal by using tight receptacles having a capacity of not fewer than three nor more than 26 gallons. The receptacles shall be provided with a handle or handles and a tight-fitting cover. No person shall use more than one receptacle with a capacity of less than 10 gallons. ... Garbage and refuse receptacles shall be so placed, by the owner, tenant, housekeeper or other person occupying such dwelling house or other building, in the yard where the same may be easily accessible to the collectors.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4719898; v25 updated 2025-12-16; through 12-16-2025).
Full Breakdown
Chapter 400, Article I governs the physical mechanics of trash pickup. Section 400-4 requires every owner, tenant or occupant to use tight receptacles with a capacity between 3 and 26 gallons, fitted with a handle and a tight-fitting cover; nobody may use more than one receptacle smaller than 10 gallons. Section 400-5 requires garbage to be drained and wrapped in paper, and other loose combustible refuse bundled so it can't scatter. Section 400-6 requires receptacles to sit in the yard where collectors can reach them easily, and § 400-7 requires them to stay covered at all times.
Section 400-8 caps how full a receptacle can be, within one inch of the top, and to a weight one person can lift, while § 400-9 bars using filthy, leaky or defective receptacles at all. Article II sets the business side: under § 400-11, the City collects and disposes of all residential refuse, while any commercial enterprise or a residential building with six or more dwelling units must hire a private licensed hauler instead, and the Director of the Department of Public Works sets the actual collection-day schedule.
The annual refuse fee is $300 per equivalent dwelling unit under § 400-12B, discounted 10% for payment by April 15 or two months after the tax notice, whichever is later; a totally vacant unit can be exonerated from 50% to 100% of the fee under § 400-13 with a notarized affidavit and utility records proving the vacancy.
Violations & Fines
Violating the Article II collection and fee rules, including nonpayment of the refuse fee or giving false information to avoid it, is punishable under § 400-14 by a fine of $500 to $1,000, plus up to 30 days in the county jail if the fine and costs go unpaid. The Director of Public Works can also cut off collection entirely to a delinquent account until all fees, interest and penalties are paid.
Frequently Asked Questions
What size trash can does Scranton require?
How much is Scranton's annual trash fee?
Does the City pick up trash from apartment buildings?
Can I get out of paying the trash fee if my unit is vacant?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Scranton
Compare Scranton to another location·View the Pennsylvania trash & recycling overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.