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Richmond · Building on your lot

Trash and recycling carts in Richmond

Richmond'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 Richmond Municipal Code it was read from, with the code text one click away (checked October 2026). General information, not legal advice.

What Richmond's code says

Richmond code What Richmond's code adds
Required collection service
  • Owners must subscribe with the franchised collector for garbage, recycling and organic waste collection
    § 9.20.090 · code text
    It is the duty of every owner of any premises in the City to subscribe with the franchised collector(s) for garbage container, recycling container, and organic waste container collection; comply with the relevant sections of this chapter, state law and local ordinances; and to pay for the collection and disposal of such containers, unless the commercial business owner receives a waiver as provided in this chapter.
Sorting organics and green waste
  • Yes: place source separated organic waste, including food waste, in the organic waste container
    § 9.20.080 · code text
    Generators shall place source separated organic waste, including food waste, in the organic waste container; source separated recyclable materials in the recycling container; and garbage in the garbage container.
When carts must come back
  • Remove containers from the curb before midnight on the day they are emptied
    § 9.20.080 · code text
    All garbage, recycling, and organic waste containers shall be removed from the curb prior to midnight of the day the containers have been emptied.
When carts may go to the curb
  • Not before 6:00 p.m. of the day preceding the day designated for collection
    § 9.20.080 · code text
    No person shall place garbage containers, recycling containers and organic waste containers for collection at any time other than the day or days established for collection, or earlier than 6:00 p.m. of the day preceding the day designated for collection.

Who this affects

HomeownersContractorsDesigners

Frequently asked questions

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

Richmond's code: Owners must subscribe with the franchised collector for garbage, recycling and organic waste collection (§ 9.20.090); Yes: place source separated organic waste, including food waste, in the organic waste container (§ 9.20.080).

General information, not legal advice.

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

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Richmond Municipal Code — full text