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El Cajon · Building on your lot

Trash and recycling carts in El Cajon

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

What El Cajon's code says

El Cajon code What El Cajon's code adds
Required collection service
  • Organic waste generators must source-separate organic waste and subscribe to service or self-haul it.
    § 8.24.030 · code text
    All organic waste generators as defined in the Act shall be required to source-separate their organic waste, place containers of organic waste in appropriate locations, and subscribe to service or self-haul the organic waste
Sorting organics and green waste
  • Recyclables are separated from garbage and organic waste and put in receptacles provided by the contractor.
    § 8.24.030 · code text
    All recyclable materials shall be separated from garbage and organic waste and placed in receptacles provided by the contractor.
Where carts are kept
  • Keep waste receptacles in a place easily accessible to the solid waste contractor that is not a public nuisance.
    § 8.24.030 · code text
    Every person owning, managing or controlling any property which is used for residential, business, or commercial purposes and which generates solid waste shall maintain at all times, in a place easily accessible to the solid waste contractor and where it will not be a public nuisance or in any degree offensive, a receptacle
  • Not in the required front yard setback.
    Applies: Applies in the R-E-20 and R-E-40 zones, to waste bins larger than 96 gallons.
    § 8.24.030 · code text
    persons residing in properties in the R-E-20 and R-E-40 zones, may utilize waste bins provided by the city's contractor in excess of ninety-six gallons so long as the containers are neither stored nor maintained in the required front yard setback portions of the property

Who this affects

HomeownersContractorsDesigners

Frequently asked questions

When can trash carts go out to the curb in El Cajon?

El Cajon's code: Organic waste generators must source-separate organic waste and subscribe to service or self-haul it. (§ 8.24.030); Recyclables are separated from garbage and organic waste and put in receptacles provided by the contractor. (§ 8.24.030).

General information, not legal advice.

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

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El Cajon Municipal Code — full text