Stearns County, MN Trash & Recycling: Pickup Rules & Schedules (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing ordinance
- Stearns County Ordinance No. 193
- Self-hauling
- Allowed only to county-approved sites
- Max fine
- $700 per violation
- Max jail
- 90 days
- Effective date
- April 1, 1998
- Applies to
- Unincorporated Stearns County and townships
Summary
Stearns County requires all covered solid waste to move through the County's public collection system under Ordinance No. 193. No one may collect or haul waste in the county except through that system, a licensed contract hauler, or the narrow self-hauler exception in Section 3.7.
3.1 Ordinance Applies to all Covered Solid Waste. All covered solid waste generated or accumulated in the County shall be collected and conveyed to point of disposal by the County through the public collection system, except as expressly exempted in this ordinance. No person shall collect or convey any covered solid waste in the County, except as expressly exempted in or authorized by this ordinance.
Full Breakdown
Ordinance No. 193, the Public Solid Waste Service Ordinance, establishes the county as the sole authority over solid waste collection outside cities that run their own systems. 1 makes the public collection system mandatory for "all covered solid waste generated or accumulated in the County" and bars anyone from collecting or conveying waste except as the ordinance expressly allows. 2, administers the system and can adopt reasonable standard policies. 6). 2). 3 separately requires that waste be kept in proper containers approved for collection and bars dumping it on streets, alleys, private property, or into any stream or body of water.
The rules apply to townships and the unincorporated area; incorporated cities such as Sartell, Sauk Centre, Melrose and Cold Spring regulate their own collection and are not covered by this county ordinance.
Violations & Fines
Under Section 8.1, anyone who violates the ordinance, fails to comply, or knowingly files a false statement is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of up to $700, up to 90 days imprisonment, or both, with each day of violation a separate offense. The Director may also pursue civil action, restraining orders, or abatement proceedings through the County Attorney under Section 8.2.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I haul my own trash to the dump in Stearns County?
Does the county collection ordinance apply inside St. Cloud or Sartell?
What happens if I hire an unauthorized hauler?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Stearns County
Compare Stearns County to another location·View the Minnesota trash & recycling overview
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