Trash and recycling carts in Davis: the local rules

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

What Davis's code says

Davis code What Davis's code adds
Required collection service	Subscribe to collection for gray container waste, green and dark blue container organic waste, source separated non-organic recyclables, and cardboard. § 32.01.020 · code text all generators shall subscribe to collection services for gray container waste, source separated green container organic waste, source separated dark blue container organic waste, source separated non-organic recyclables, cardboard collection services provided by the city or the city's contract hauler Exempt from the mandatory requirement to subscribe and participate in the city's collection services. Applies: Applies to a customer or generator granted a self-haul waiver. § 32.01.020 · code text thereby be exempted from the mandatory requirement to subscribe and participate in the city's collection services as described in subsection (a) of this section.
Sorting organics and green waste	Put source separated green container waste, including food waste, food-soiled paper, and yard waste, in the green container. Applies: Applies to single-family generators. § 32.01.040 · code text Single-family generators shall place source separated green container waste, including food waste, food-soiled paper, and yard waste, in the green container; If green containers are full, only leaves and prunings (branches up to 8 inches in diameter) go in street piles. Applies: Applies to yard waste piles; prunings are from trees and shrubs. § 32.01.090 · code text If the green containers are full, only leaves and tree and shrub prunings (maximum branch diameter of eight inches) may be placed in yard waste piles.
When carts must come back	Remove emptied containers from the curb or street by 7:00 a.m. on the day after collection. Applies: Applies to individually serviced residences. § 32.01.050 · code text Emptied containers shall be removed from the curb or street, as applicable, by 7:00 a.m. on the day following collection.
When carts may go to the curb	Not before 5:00 p.m. on the day before collection Applies: Individually serviced residences § 32.01.050 · code text Such placement shall occur no earlier than 5:00 p.m. on the day prior to the scheduled collection day, nor later than 6:00 a.m. on collection day.

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

Davis's code: Subscribe to collection for gray container waste, green and dark blue container organic waste, source separated non-organic recyclables, and cardboard. (§ 32.01.020); Exempt from the mandatory requirement to subscribe and participate in the city's collection services. (Applies to a customer or generator granted a self-haul waiver.) (§ 32.01.020).

Trash and recycling carts in Davis

What Davis's code says

Who this affects

Frequently asked questions

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