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Palm Desert · Building on your lot

Trash and recycling carts in Palm Desert

Palm Desert's own rules on trash and recycling carts, with the code text for every value.

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

What Palm Desert's code says

Palm Desert code What Palm Desert's code adds
Sorting organics and green waste
  • Separate organic material and keep it in designated containers obtained only through the franchise waste hauler.
    § 8.19.040 · code text
    Every person having charge or control of residential or commercial premises in the city where discarded material accumulates shall source separate and keep the solid waste, recyclable material, and organic material in the designated containers obtained exclusively through the franchise waste hauler for use in the franchise waste hauler's collection program.
When carts must come back
  • Within 12 hours after collection.
    § 8.19.050 · code text
    No container shall be placed curbside or adjacent to a street more than twelve hours prior to the normal collection time and shall be removed from curb or street location within twelve hours after collection.
When carts may go to the curb
  • Not more than twelve hours before the normal collection time
    § 8.19.050 · code text
    No container shall be placed curbside or adjacent to a street more than twelve hours prior to the normal collection time and shall be removed from curb or street location within twelve hours after collection.
Where carts are kept
  • Not viewable by the public from a public right-of-way.
    Applies: Residential districts.
    § 8.16.035 · code text
    Every person in charge of a residence shall, upon completion of the normal collection, as defined in Section 8.16.010, store containers in such a manner as not to be viewable by the public from a public right-of-way in order to maintain the aesthetic and property values of surrounding property.

Who this affects

HomeownersContractorsDesigners

Frequently asked questions

When can trash carts go out to the curb in Palm Desert?

Palm Desert's code: Separate organic material and keep it in designated containers obtained only through the franchise waste hauler. (§ 8.19.040); Within 12 hours after collection. (§ 8.19.050).

General information, not legal advice.

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Ask GoCodebook how Palm Desert's trash and recycling carts rules apply to your situation and get an answer that cites the section.

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Palm Desert Municipal Code — full text