Sarasota Code Ch. 16 Division 1 makes recycling mandatory for residents and businesses. Accepted materials include paper, cardboard, aluminum and steel cans, glass bottles and jars, and clean #1/#2 plastics. Contamination (food waste, plastic bags, hazardous items) can result in non-collection and Code Compliance citations.
Sarasota's recycling list mirrors the Sarasota County Materials Recovery Facility (MRF) accepted-materials list since the City contracts with the County for processing. Accepted: paper, cardboard (flattened), aluminum and steel food/beverage cans, glass bottles and jars (no broken glass), clean #1 PET bottles, #2 HDPE jugs. Not accepted in curbside: plastic bags (return to grocery stores), styrofoam, food waste, batteries, electronics, hazardous chemicals (CCC), and yard waste (separate yard waste cart). Mixed materials contamination over a per-load threshold can result in the entire load going to landfill - which is why contamination is enforced.
Repeated contamination violations are flagged and can result in service discontinuation under Ch. 16. Code Compliance can issue citations up to $500 per offense (Sec. 1-11) for businesses that refuse to recycle.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
Sarasota, FL
Beekeeping in Sarasota is governed primarily by Florida state law - F.S. §586 (Honeybee Law) preempts most local regulation of beekeeping. Beekeepers must re...
Sarasota, FL
Sarasota does not have a citywide wildlife-feeding ban, but Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) rules under F.A.C. 68A-4.001 prohibit int...
Sarasota, FL
Florida Statute §373.185 (Florida-Friendly Landscaping Act) preempts HOA and local-government bans on Florida-Friendly Landscaping (FFL). Sarasota homeowners...
Sarasota, FL
The City of Sarasota observes the Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD) year-round watering restrictions: two days per week for residential ad...
Sarasota, FL
Sarasota's property maintenance rules require lawns and lots to be maintained free of overgrown vegetation. While the Code does not specify an exact maximum ...
Sarasota, FL
Tree trimming in Sarasota is governed by Zoning Code Sec. VII-309 et seq. and ANSI A300 industry standards. Heavy pruning (more than 25% canopy removal) typi...
Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Sarasota County.
See how other cities in Sarasota County handle recycling requirements.
See how Sarasota's recycling requirements rules stack up against other locations.
Quick Compare
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.