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San Joaquin County · Building on your lot

Trash and recycling carts in San Joaquin County

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

What San Joaquin County's code says

San Joaquin County code What San Joaquin County's code adds
Sorting organics and green waste
  • Green waste must go in the green waste container, not a garbage or recyclables container
    Applies: Mountain House Community Services District only
    § MH-5-2106 · code text
    (1) to place garbage in a green waste or recyclable materials container; (2) to place recyclable materials in a container intended for the collection of garbage or green waste; or (3) to place green waste in a container intended for the collection of garbage or recyclable materials.
  • Separate containers for refuse, recyclables and green waste
    Applies: Mountain House Community Services District only; when required by the MHCSD General Manager or Board resolution
    § MH-5-2107 · code text
    If required by the MHCSD General Manager or by resolution of the MHCSD Board, a customer shall have separate containers for refuse, recyclables and green waste.
When carts must come back
  • Store the container again by midnight of the collection day
    Applies: Mountain House Community Services District only
    § MH-5-2105 · code text
    The customer shall store the container in a location consistent with the provisions of this chapter no later than midnight of the day that collection occurs.
Where carts are kept
  • Containers may not be placed or left in or on any street right-of-way unless the MHCSD General Manager allows it
    Applies: Mountain House Community Services District only
    § MH-5-2105 · code text
    Solid waste containers shall not be placed or allowed to remain in or on any street right-of-way except as otherwise authorized by the MHCSD General Manager
  • Keep containers easy to reach for emptying; not in the traveled part of any street, road or avenue
    Applies: Premises in the county
    § 5-2402 · code text
    All such containers shall at all times be kept in a sanitary condition, and good repair, and shall be located in such a place as to be readily accessible for removing and emptying the same

Who this affects

HomeownersContractorsDesigners

Frequently asked questions

When can trash carts go out to the curb in San Joaquin County?

San Joaquin County's code: Green waste must go in the green waste container, not a garbage or recyclables container (Mountain House Community Services District only) (§ MH-5-2106); Separate containers for refuse, recyclables and green waste (Mountain House Community Services District only; when required by the MHCSD General Manager or Board resolution) (§ MH-5-2107).

General information, not legal advice.

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San Joaquin County Municipal Code — full text