Palo Alto requires residents and businesses to separate recyclables and organics from trash under SB 1383, AB 341, and Chapter 5.20. GreenWaste collects mixed recyclables weekly in blue carts.
California SB 1383 and AB 1826 require all Palo Alto households and businesses to separate organic waste (food scraps, yard waste, food-soiled paper) into the green organics cart and recyclable materials (paper, cardboard, glass, metal, rigid plastics #1-#5 and #7) into the blue recycling cart. AB 341 additionally requires businesses generating four or more cubic yards of waste per week to subscribe to recycling service. Contamination fees may apply when non-recyclable items are placed in the blue cart or food/recyclables are placed in the black trash cart. Plastic bags, film, styrofoam, and tanglers such as hoses and electronics do not go in curbside recycling and must be taken to special drop-off programs. Palo Alto also bans polystyrene food ware and single-use plastic foodware accessories under local ordinances. The Sunnyvale Materials Recovery Facility processes Palo Altos recyclables. Multifamily properties must provide recycling and organics collection access to all tenants. Call GreenWaste at (650) 493-4894 with questions.
Contact your local code enforcement office for specific penalty information.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
Palo Alto, CA
Palo Alto Airport (PAO) enforces a voluntary curfew and noise abatement procedures, with FAA preemption limiting local authority over flight operations.
Palo Alto, CA
Palo Alto prohibits amplified music audible beyond the property line during quiet hours and requires a special event permit for outdoor amplification in publ...
Palo Alto, CA
Palo Alto enforces strict decibel limits by zone under PAMC 9.10.040: 60 dBA day / 50 dBA night in residential, scaling up to 70 dBA in manufacturing zones.
Palo Alto, CA
Palo Alto permits construction Monday-Friday 8am to 6pm and Saturday 9am to 6pm, with no work allowed on Sundays or holidays under PAMC 9.10.060.
Palo Alto, CA
Palo Alto requires encroachment permits for new driveways, regulates curb cut dimensions, and prohibits blocking sidewalks or adjacent driveways under traffi...
Palo Alto, CA
Palo Alto restricts RV, trailer, and boat storage on public streets and requires screening for large recreational vehicles on residential property under zoni...
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