St. Petersburg, FL Trash & Recycling: Recycling Requirements (2026)
Key Facts
- Cart size
- 95-gallon nonmetallic recycling container
- Eligible properties
- Single-family; multifamily ≤4 units
- Monthly fee, single-family
- $4.27
- Monthly fee, multifamily
- $3.99 per unit
- Fine per violation
- $500.00
Summary
Residents of single-family homes and multifamily properties of four units or less who participate in St. Petersburg's single-stream recycling program must use the City-furnished bulk recycling container under § 27-534, with the recycling fee billed regardless of participation status.
All residents or occupants of any single-family residence, and the owner, manager, or occupant of any multifamily residential property or of any business, institutional, or commercial establishment within the City are hereby required to use those bulk garbage containers provided by the City... All residents or occupants of a single-family residence or multifamily residential properties of four living units or less are required to use those bulk recycling containers provided by the City for their use if they are participating in the City's single-stream recycling program.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 54).
Full Breakdown
City Code § 27-534 requires all residents or occupants of a single-family residence, and the owner, manager or occupant of any multifamily, business, institutional or commercial establishment in the City, to use the bulk garbage containers the City provides for garbage, rubbish and garden trash collection. The same section separately requires residents or occupants of single-family homes and multifamily properties of four living units or less to use the City-furnished bulk recycling container if they are participating in the single-stream recycling program. 99 per living unit for qualifying multifamily properties.
The recycling container itself is a 95-gallon nonmetallic cart under the definitions in § 27-464, distinct from the 65, 90, or 300-gallon carts used for garbage. Once a household is set up on the program, curb or alley placement rules in § 27-539(b)(3) apply specifically to the recycling cart, requiring it to be at the curb no more than two feet out, or three feet from an alley right-of-way, without obstructing pedestrian passage.
Violations & Fines
Failing to use the City-furnished recycling container as required, or placing prohibited materials in it, is enforced under § 27-498 with a $500.00 fine per violation, prosecuted per § 1-7 of the Code. The POD may also deny collection service under § 27-503 to accounts in violation of the article, with a right of appeal to the Mayor or the Mayor's designee.
Frequently Asked Questions
Am I required to use the City's recycling cart in St. Petersburg?
Do I still get billed for recycling if I don't set my cart out?
Where does the recycling cart go on collection day?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in St. Petersburg
Florida rules heatmap·Compare St. Petersburg to another location·View the Florida trash & recycling overview
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Recycling Requirements in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Pinellas County handle recycling requirements.