Carlsbad, CA Trash & Recycling: Yard Waste Collection (2026)

Section 6.08.010 defines 'yard trimmings' to include green trimmings, grass, weeds, leaves, prunings, branches, dead plants, brush, tree trimmings, dead trees, and small pieces of unpainted, untreated wood from normal yard and landscaping maintenance, and classifies yard trimmings as a subset of organic materials that must go into the organics stream under Section 6.08.020(A)(2). The same definition sets a hard size limit: yard trimmings placed for collection may not exceed six inches in diameter and three feet in length, and must fit within the franchisee-provided collection container.

Section 6.08.070 backs that up for all residential carts generally, stating that discarded materials must fit entirely within the confines of the cart with the lid securely shut, and that the franchisee is not obligated to collect anything placed outside the cart. Larger branches, tree trunks, or storm debris that exceed the six-inch/three-foot limit do not qualify for regular cart pickup; instead, Section 6.08.130 routes them through special collection service for bulky items, arranged with the franchisee, and Section 6.08.060 caps even a properly sized cart at the manufacturer's recommended maximum weight.

Carts must also be set out within the timing and placement rules in Sections 6.08.080 and 6.08.090: wheels against the curb (or within five feet of an alley right-of-way), handles facing away from the street, and placed no earlier than 6:00 p.m. the day before collection and removed by midnight of collection day.