Riverside County, CA Trash & Recycling: Pickup Rules & Schedules (2026)

Solid waste pickup in unincorporated Riverside County is governed by Ordinance No. 4), the County's compulsory collection ordinance, authorized by California Government Code Sections 25827 and 25828. A requires every tenant, occupier, operator, or owner of a residential or commercial unit to have service unless exempted by the Director of Environmental Health. B requires that, not less than once a week, all solid waste created, produced, or brought onto the property be moved to an approved disposal facility, and the Director may require more frequent collection to prevent a nuisance.

A prohibits anyone from collecting, transferring, or removing solid waste in unincorporated areas without a franchise issued by the County, so haulers are franchised by Riverside County. Section 7 makes the property owner responsible for subscribing to and paying for service; if an owner fails to start service within 15 days of occupancy, the Director may direct the franchised hauler to begin service. Residents may apply to the Department of Environmental Health for a self-haul waiver under Section 8, but in a compulsory-collection area they remain responsible for any applicable collection fee.

Unpaid charges can become a special assessment lien collected with property taxes (Section 11), and violations are subject to administrative or criminal citation (Section 13).