Clay County, FL Trash & Recycling: Yard Waste Collection (2026)
Key Facts
- On-site option
- Mulch or compost, own property
- Urban pickup
- Weekly, Hand Pickup Service
- Rural pickup
- Special service, on request
- Must be kept separate from
- Garbage, rubbish, recyclables
- Commingling penalty (habitual)
- Category 8 civil infraction
Summary
Clay County residents may mulch or compost their own yard trash on-site under the solid waste ordinance, but any yard trash they don't compost has to be kept separate from garbage, rubbish and recyclables and set out for the franchised hauler in approved receptacles or bundles, with pickup running weekly in urban service areas.
4Handling of Yard Trash.A.Yard Trash may be disposed of by mulching and composting, provided that such mulching and composting is undertaken in a prompt and lawful manner and only upon the property where the Yard Trash was generated.B.Each Hand Pick-up Service Customer shall separate Yard Trash not mulched and composted under Paragraph A hereof from all other Solid Waste, placing such Yard Trash in approved Receptacles or Bundles for collection.C.Each Container Service Customer shall separate Yard Trash not mulched and composted under Paragraph A hereof from all other Solid Waste, placing such Yard Trash in approved Containers for collection.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 86).
Full Breakdown
FFF as vegetative matter such as grass clippings, leaves and twigs from lawn maintenance, landscaping or right-of-way maintenance, but not land-clearing debris. Clause A lets residents dispose of yard trash by mulching or composting it themselves, provided that happens promptly, lawfully and only on the property where it was generated. Anything not handled that way must be kept separate: a Hand Pick-up Service customer must separate uncomposted yard trash from all other solid waste and place it in approved Receptacles or Bundles (clause B); a Container Service customer must do the same using approved Containers (clause C); and anyone delivering yard trash to an Environmental Convenience Center or a Designated Disposal Facility must keep it separated and free of bags or wrapping (clauses D and E).
A(1)(b): Hand Pickup Service customers in urban service areas get weekly yard trash pickup, while customers in rural service areas, defined by the Division based on density and economic practicality, get yard trash collected only as a special service at the customer's request. A(3)(a)-(b). 4.
Violations & Fines
Unlawfully commingling or transporting yard trash mixed with other solid waste without Division approval violates Section VII.4, and that section is specifically graded as a civil infraction under Section VIII.5.A: category 2 for a first offense, category 6 for a second, and category 8 for a habitual violation, which can then be prosecuted as a misdemeanor with a fine up to $500 or sixty days in jail. Improperly handled yard trash under Section VI.4 that rises to unlawful commingling is graded separately at category 1 for a first offense under the same subsection.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I compost my own yard trash instead of putting it out for pickup?
How often is yard trash picked up in unincorporated Clay County?
Can I mix yard trash in with my regular garbage cart?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Clay County
Florida rules heatmap·Compare Clay County to another location·View the Florida trash & recycling overview
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