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

Solid waste pickup in unincorporated Riverside County is governed by Ordinance No. 745 (as amended through 745.4), the County's compulsory collection ordinance, authorized by California Government Code Sections 25827 and 25828. Section 4.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. Section 4.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. Section 6.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).