San Bernardino, CA Trash & Recycling: Yard Waste Collection (2026)
Key Facts
- Routine yard waste
- Goes in weekly organics cart
- Oversized branch limit
- 2 ft diameter, 4 ft length
- Oversized branches
- Handled as bulky waste, special pickup
- Open burning
- Prohibited outside permitted incinerator
Summary
Routine yard waste like grass clippings, leaves and tree trimmings goes out with organic waste collection under Municipal Code Section 8.24.010. Branches and trunks over two feet in diameter or four feet long count as bulky waste instead and need a special hauler pickup.
ORGANIC WASTE. Organic waste and food waste. ORGANIC WASTE is a form of solid waste when discarded into the waste stream. ORGANIC WASTE includes, but is not limited to, the following: (1) Plant material (branches, grass clippings, natural Christmas trees, palm fronds, leaves, shrubbery, tree trimmings, weeds); (2) Wood (non-toxic wood products without paint and foreign objects of appropriate size for the container); (3) Food waste... and (4) Byproducts. ... BULKY WASTE. Large and small household appliances, furniture, carpets, mattresses, white goods, brown goods, clothing, automobile tires and oversized yard waste such as tree trunks and large branches if no larger than two feet in diameter and four feet in length and similar large items, or any other solid waste item requiring special handling, discarded by residential customers.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-2: Supplement contains: Local legislation current through Ord. MC-1666, passed 8-5-2026).
Full Breakdown
24's definitions section sets the line between everyday yard debris and oversized branches. 090(B). That routine organics cart, however, is not built for whole trunks or large limbs: the BULKY WASTE definition specifically carves out oversized yard waste such as tree trunks and large branches larger than two feet in diameter or four feet in length, grouping that material with furniture, appliances and similar large items rather than the weekly organics stream. 040(E), at rates set in the franchise agreement, rather than left at the curb in the organics cart.
070(A)(6) makes it unlawful to place material in an organics container that would inhibit its ability to be composted, and containers set aside for organic waste are to be used only for recyclable materials or organic waste and no other materials. 120(B) unless done in a permitted sanitary incinerator meeting air-emissions rules.
Violations & Fines
Putting oversized branches or trunks in the regular organics cart, or piling brush at the curb without arranging a special pickup, exposes the material to the contamination and nuisance rules in Sections 8.24.070 and 8.24.120, including cleanup billed back to the owner. Open burning of yard waste violates Section 8.24.120(B) regardless of container placement.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I put grass clippings and leaves in my regular cart?
What about a tree trunk or big branch from a storm?
Can I burn yard waste in my backyard?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in San Bernardino
California rules heatmap·Compare San Bernardino to another location·View the California trash & recycling overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.
Yard Waste Collection in Nearby Cities
How other cities in San Bernardino County handle yard waste collection.