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Trash and recycling carts in Santa Clara

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

What Santa Clara's code says

Santa Clara code What Santa Clara's code adds
Required collection service
  • Subscribe to and maintain residential recycling services for each individual household in the dwelling
    § 8.25.275 · code text
    All responsible parties of residential properties are required to subscribe to and maintain residential recycling services for each individual household in the dwelling.
  • An exception may be granted
    Applies: If it is determined there is not sufficient storage space for the containers at the residential property
    § 8.25.275 · code text
    An exception may be granted at the discretion of the City Manager or the City Manager's designated representative if it is determined there is not sufficient storage space for the containers at the residential property.
When carts must come back
  • Remove containers on the collection day, after service
    § 8.25.080 · code text
    Containers must be removed from the public right-of-way on the collection day, after service.
When carts may go to the curb
  • Not before 5:00 P.M. the day prior to collection
    § 8.25.080 · code text
    Containers shall not be set out upon the public right-of-way in front of said premises prior to 5:00 P.M. the day prior to collection.
Where carts are kept
  • An enclosure or the side or rear yard of the premises
    § 8.25.080 · code text
    All containers shall be stored in an enclosure or within the side or rear yard of the premises.

Who this affects

HomeownersContractorsDesigners

Frequently asked questions

When can trash carts go out to the curb in Santa Clara?

Santa Clara's code: Subscribe to and maintain residential recycling services for each individual household in the dwelling (§ 8.25.275); An exception may be granted (If it is determined there is not sufficient storage space for the containers at the residential property) (§ 8.25.275).

General information, not legal advice.

Ask about a specific Santa Clara property

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

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