San Bernardino County, CA Trash & Recycling: Yard Waste Collection (2026)
Key Facts
- Applies to
- Unincorporated County only
- Yard waste bin
- Green container
- Max branch size
- 6 in. dia., 4 ft. long
- Subscription
- Mandatory under § 46.1302
Summary
Unincorporated San Bernardino County homes must subscribe to organic waste collection and sort green waste like grass and branches into the green container.
Single-family organic waste generators shall comply with the following requirements: (a) Shall subscribe to the County's organic waste collection services for all organic waste generated... Option 1a: Generator shall place source separated green container organic waste, including food waste, in the green container... Generator shall not place materials designated for the green container or blue container in the gray container.
Full Breakdown
County Code § 46.1302 requires every single-family generator in the unincorporated County to subscribe to organic waste collection service and keep it sized for their output. Under the standard three-container option, source-separated green container organic waste, including grass clippings, leaves, branches and tree trunks up to six inches in diameter or four feet long, per the Code's own GREEN WASTE definition at § 46.0201, goes in the green container, not the gray container. A licensed gardener or landscaper hauling green waste generated incidentally while providing gardening or landscape maintenance is exempt from the County's hauler franchise/permit rules under § 46.0102(b)(2)(E).
Violations & Fines
The Public Works/Solid Waste Management Division enforces via the franchise hauler; the County can review container size and require a generator to upsize service to properly separate materials under § 46.1302(a).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I put my own grass clippings in the gray trash can?
Does a landscaper need a permit to haul away yard trimmings?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in San Bernardino County
California rules heatmap·Compare San Bernardino County to another location·View the California trash & recycling overview
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