Virginia Beach, VA Trash & Recycling: Pickup Rules & Schedules (2026)
Key Facts
- Garbage collection
- once weekly
- Recycling collection
- every other week
- Curb-out window
- 5 p.m. day before to 7 a.m.
- Carts removed by
- end of collection day
- First-offense penalty
- $25 civil fine
Summary
Virginia Beach collects household garbage weekly and recyclables every other week. Carts go curbside no earlier than 5 p.m. the night before and must be off the curb by the end of collection day.
Privately owned residential refuse receptacles, including automated refuse receptacles and containers for recyclables, oversized household trash and bulky items such as refrigerators, water heaters, washing machines, other household appliances, furniture, mattresses and similar items, the contents of which are to be collected by the city or a city contractor, shall be placed on the curb line of a city right-of-way no earlier than 5:00 p.m. on the day before collection and by 7:00 a.m. on the day of collection. All receptacles must be removed out of view of the public after collection on the day of collection, except as otherwise designated by the city manager or his designee. Containers for recyclables provided to townhouses shall be removed out of view of the public after collection on the day of collection. Except as otherwise set forth in this subsection, automated refuse receptacles and containers for recyclables that are not removed from public view on the day of collection may be removed by the city and taken into temporary custody with posted written notice to the property owner as to the location of the containers and the procedure for reclaiming such containers. Some residents serviced by automated collection equipment shall be required to place the automated refuse receptacles on the opposite side of the street from their house.
(b) Mobile containers in the resort collection zone may be placed on the curb line of
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 170 Update 1).
Full Breakdown
City crews collect garbage and household trash once a week at each residence, with recyclables picked up every other week on the same day, per City Code §§ 31-27 and 31-28. Residential receptacles, including automated carts and recycling containers, may be set at the curb line no earlier than 5:00 p.m. the day before collection and must be out by 7:00 a.m. on collection day. After service, carts must be pulled back out of public view unless the city manager's designee authorizes otherwise. Bulky items like refrigerators and washing machines are collected weekly by special order placed with the waste management division in advance.
Violations & Fines
A notice of violation issues first; noncompliance draws a civil penalty of $25 for a first offense and $50 for each later violation, with each day a violation persists counted as a separate offense.
Frequently Asked Questions
When can I put my trash cart at the curb in Virginia Beach?
How often does Virginia Beach pick up recycling?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Virginia Beach
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