Alachua County, FL Trash & Recycling: Yard Waste Collection (2026)
Key Facts
- Rule
- Yard trash may not go in regular trash receptacles (§ 75.204)
- Yard trash defined
- Vegetative matter from landscaping/land-clearing (§ 75.100)
- Excess yard trash
- Owner must self-arrange disposal (§ 75.301(a)(4))
- Enforcing agency
- Dept. of Solid Waste and Resource Recovery (§ 75.502)
- Penalty
- Up to $500 fine / 60 days jail (§ 10.08)
Summary
Unincorporated Alachua County bars mixing yard trash, grass clippings, tree and shrub trimmings, palm fronds, and stumps, into containers or locations meant for regular solid waste. Owners whose yard trash exceeds their contractor's collection limits must arrange separate disposal at a solid waste facility on their own.
No person shall place or cause to be placed yard trash in a container, bag or other receptacle intended for the collection and disposal of other solid waste or in a location intended for the collection and disposal of other solid waste. [§ 75.301(a)(4)] An owner of residential property in the universal area shall provide for the disposal of yard trash consisting of vegetative matter exceeding contractor specifications at a solid waste disposal facility either by entering into an agreement with a contractor or by other lawful means.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 63).
Full Breakdown
100 defines "yard trash" as vegetative matter resulting from landscaping maintenance and land-clearing operations, including tree and shrub trimmings, grass clippings, palm fronds, and trees and tree stumps. 204 makes it unlawful to place or cause to be placed yard trash in a container, bag, or other receptacle, or in a location, intended for the collection and disposal of other solid waste, keeping yard debris out of the regular garbage stream at the collection facility. 301(a)(4) separately requires that any yard trash consisting of vegetative matter exceeding the residential contractor's specifications for curbside pickup be disposed of at a solid waste management facility, either through an agreement with a contractor or by other lawful means, the county's standard curbside cart service is not obligated to take oversized brush, stumps, or large branch volumes. 502, including issuing collection permits, and for meeting the state reporting requirements of Chapter 403, Florida Statutes.
Violations & Fines
A violation of Chapter 75, including improperly mixing yard trash with other solid waste, is punishable as provided in Section 10.08: a fine of up to $500.00, up to 60 days in the county jail, or both, enforced through the Chapter 24 code enforcement mechanism under Section 75.501. Fines collected accrue to the Department of Solid Waste and Resource Recovery.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I put grass clippings in my regular garbage can?
What if I generate more yard trash than my collection service allows?
Who enforces the yard trash rules and what's the penalty?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Alachua County
Florida rules heatmap·Compare Alachua County to another location·View the Florida trash & recycling overview
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