Tampa, FL Trash & Recycling: Pickup Rules & Schedules (2026)
Key Facts
- Set-out window
- After 4 p.m. day before collection
- Pickup window
- Cart removed by 10 a.m. day of/after
- Curb distance
- Within 3 feet of curb, arm's reach
- Cart clearance
- 4 feet from poles, mailboxes, vehicles
- Enforcing dept.
- Solid Waste & Environmental Program Mgmt.
- General penalty
- Up to $500 fine / 60 days jail
Summary
Tampa residents must set solid waste carts out no earlier than 4:00 p.m. the day before collection and pull them back in by 10:00 a.m. the day after. Containers go within arm's reach of the curb, not blocking utility poles, mailboxes or parked cars.
All residential containers shall be set out for collection in a convenient and accessible location in the front of the residence adjacent to and within unobstructed arm reach no more than three (3) feet from the curb or edge of the pavement... Residential containers shall be placed out for collection after 4:00 p.m. of the day prior to a scheduled collection and shall be removed from curbside not later than 10:00 a.m. of the day of collection to a location within the property not visible from the street.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 148).
Full Breakdown
Under Sec. " Sec. 26-148(7) separately makes it unlawful to place containers out earlier or leave them curbside later than these windows. The Department of Solid Waste and Environmental Program Management provides one 95-gallon solid waste cart and one 95-gallon recycling cart per residence under Sec. 26-166(a); bulky items that won't fit must be bundled to no more than four feet in length or 50 pounds, per Sec. 26-166(f). Residents 65 or older living with no more than one other person may apply for reduced one-can service at a discounted rate under Sec. 26-156(b), and those with a documented disability may qualify for back-door pickup under Sec. 26-169(a) after filing a medical certificate with the Department.
Violations & Fines
Leaving a container out past 10:00 a.m. the day after collection, or setting it out before 4:00 p.m. the day before, violates Sec. 26-169(c) and Sec. 26-148(7). Sec. 26-165 requires the Department to notify violators, who then have seven days to comply; the city may instead collect the improperly placed waste and bill the owner a special-service charge plus a 6% administrative fee on the next utility bill. A resident who falsely certifies for the senior discount or the disability exemption is guilty of a code offense punishable under Sec. 1-6, up to a $500 fine and 60 days' imprisonment, with each day a separate offense.
Frequently Asked Questions
How early can I put my trash cart out in Tampa?
How close to the curb does my cart need to be?
What happens if I leave my cart out too long?
Can seniors get reduced trash service in Tampa?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Tampa
Florida rules heatmap·Compare Tampa to another location·View the Florida trash & recycling overview
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Pickup Rules & Schedules in Nearby Cities
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