Trash and recycling carts in Lakewood: the local rules

Each rule below links to the section of the Lakewood Municipal Code it was read from, with the code text one click away (checked October 2026). General information, not legal advice.

What Lakewood's code says

Lakewood code What Lakewood's code adds
Sorting organics and green waste	Residential greenwaste goes in resident-provided containers of 20 to 40 gallons, weighing no more than 50 pounds. § 5332 · code text Residential greenwaste is to be placed in commercially-manufactured refuse containers made of galvanized metal, heavy-duty plastic, or pressed fiberboard, of at least 20 gallon capacity, but not to exceed 40 gallon capacity, not exceeding 50 lbs. in weight, to be provided by the resident.
When carts must come back	Within 12 hours after it has been emptied § 5336 · code text Such carts and containers shall be placed no earlier than 4 p.m. on the day immediately prior to the collection day and shall be removed to a storage location which is not visible from any public right-of-way, excluding alleys, no later than 12 hours after it has been emptied.
When carts may go to the curb	Not before 4 p.m. on the day immediately prior to the collection day Applies: day immediately prior to the collection day § 5336 · code text Such carts and containers shall be placed no earlier than 4 p.m. on the day immediately prior to the collection day and shall be removed to a storage location which is not visible from any public right-of-way, excluding alleys, no later than 12 hours after it has been emptied.
Where carts are kept	Store carts and containers where they are not visible from any public right-of-way, excluding alleys. Applies: After the cart or container has been emptied. § 5336 · code text Such carts and containers shall be placed no earlier than 4 p.m. on the day immediately prior to the collection day and shall be removed to a storage location which is not visible from any public right-of-way, excluding alleys, no later than 12 hours after it has been emptied. Store carts inside a structure or outside where they are not visible from the street. Applies: Except on the night before and the day of the scheduled curbside collection. § 9920 · code text Approved carts may be stored inside a structure or outside in a manner that is not visible from the street, except on the night before, and on the day of the scheduled curbside collection.

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Frequently asked questions

When can trash carts go out to the curb in Lakewood?

Lakewood's code: Residential greenwaste goes in resident-provided containers of 20 to 40 gallons, weighing no more than 50 pounds. (§ 5332); Within 12 hours after it has been emptied (§ 5336).

Trash and recycling carts in Lakewood

What Lakewood's code says

Who this affects

Frequently asked questions

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