Escambia County, FL Trash & Recycling: Yard Waste Collection (2026)
Key Facts
- Container cap
- 32 gallons or 40 pounds
- Placement
- Within 4 feet of right-of-way
- Collection frequency
- Twice weekly, § 82-172
- Coverage area
- South of Stone Container Rd mandatory zone
- Contractor debris
- Builder/tree surgeon must haul own waste
Summary
In the county's mandatory direct-collection area south of Stone Container Road, yard clippings, leaves and pine straw go out in containers under 32 gallons or 40 pounds, placed within four feet of the road right-of-way. Section 82-169 sets the container standard; household waste is picked up twice weekly.
(a)All household waste, including yard clippings, leaves and pine straw shall be placed in refuse containers which shall be provided by the owner, tenant, lessee, or occupant of the premises in sufficient number to hold all waste that accumulates between collections, and such container shall be properly maintained. Each container shall not exceed 32 gallons in capacity or 40 pounds in weight, and shall be durable, rust-resistant, nonabsorbent, watertight, rodentproof, and shall have handles, tightfitting covers, and be easy to clean; except that sealed plastic bags not less than 1½ mills in thickness and of a capacity of not more than 32 gallons may be used to contain household waste... (b)All containers of household waste, including trash shall be placed within four feet of the road right-of-way line at the driveway entrance to the premises.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 113).
Full Breakdown
S. ' Inside that area, the county collects directly under Section 82-168 rather than through a private franchise hauler. Section 82-169 sets the container rule for yard debris: 'All household waste, including yard clippings, leaves and pine straw shall be placed in refuse containers... 5 mil thickness and up to 32 gallons are also allowed. Containers go 'within four feet of the road right-of-way line at the driveway entrance,' drained of any free liquid before collection. Section 82-172 sets the pickup rhythm at 'twice each week' for household waste, at that same four-foot curb line, and makes builders, contractors and tree surgeons responsible for hauling away their own limbs, stumps and other debris at their own expense unless they've separately contracted with the collector.
'Yard trash' and 'yard waste' are both defined terms under Section 82-167, covering tree and shrub trimmings, grass clippings, palm fronds, leaves and brush; yard trash additionally sweeps in land-clearing debris and untreated wood scraps, while routine yard waste specifically excludes land-clearing and tree-cutting debris.
Violations & Fines
Placing yard waste anywhere but the designated container and curb location, or failing to remove waste generated by contract work, violates Section 82-170's ban on depositing waste on streets, rights-of-way or private property outside the chapter's rules. Section 82-23 makes any chapter 82 violation a second-degree misdemeanor, punishable as prescribed by state law.
Frequently Asked Questions
How big can my yard waste container be in Escambia County?
Where do I put yard clippings for pickup?
Who hauls away debris after a contractor trims my trees?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Escambia County
Florida rules heatmap·Compare Escambia County to another location·View the Florida trash & recycling overview
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