Sterling Heights, MI Trash & Recycling: Pickup Rules & Schedules (2026)
Key Facts
- Rejected waste
- tagged, not collected
- Fix window
- 24 hours
- Unfixed
- city special collection ordered
- Billing
- cost + admin fee to resident
Summary
If Sterling Heights' waste contractor rejects your trash for not meeting the rules, it gets tagged at the curb with 24 hours to fix the problem: miss that window and the city arranges a special collection and bills you for it.
If any owner or occupant of any property places any waste which is rejected by the city waste collector because it does not conform to the requirements of this chapter, the city waste collector shall give notice to the owner or occupant of the premises by tagging the rejected waste. The tag shall advise the owner or occupant of the reason the waste was not collected and shall direct the owner or occupant to correct the violation within 24 hours...
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-46: Local legislation current through Ord. 509, passed 5-19-26).
Full Breakdown
Section 23-21 governs what happens when curbside waste doesn't meet Chapter 23's requirements: wrong container, mixed materials, non-conforming yard waste, and so on. The contractor won't collect it; instead the waste gets tagged, with the tag explaining the rejection reason and giving the owner or occupant 24 hours to correct it. If the problem isn't fixed in that window, the Department of Public Works can order a special collection, and the resident is billed the collection cost plus an administrative fee set by the annual appropriations ordinance, due within 30 days of the invoice.
Violations & Fines
Uncorrected rejected waste triggers a city-ordered special collection under § 23-21(B)-(C), billed to the owner or occupant at the special collection rate plus an administrative fee.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why wasn't my trash picked up in Sterling Heights?
Will I be charged if I miss the 24-hour correction window?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Sterling Heights
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