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Palo Alto · Building on your lot

Trash and recycling carts in Palo Alto

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

What Palo Alto's code says

Palo Alto code What Palo Alto's code adds
Sorting organics and green waste
  • Do not put solid waste in recycling or compost containers, and remove any solid waste before collection.
    Applies: Persons subscribing to refuse service.
    § 5.20.105 · code text
    No person subscribing to refuse service shall dispose or permit the disposal of solid waste in a container designated for the collection of recyclable materials or compostable materials. The person shall remove any solid waste deposited in the recyclable materials and compostable materials containers before the collection of the recyclable materials and compostable containers occurring that week.
When carts must come back
  • Containers may stay in the public right-of-way until the day after collection.
    § 5.20.130 · code text
    Containers are permitted in the public right-of-way only during the day preceding the day of scheduled collection and terminating the day following such collection.
When carts may go to the curb
  • Containers may be in the public right-of-way starting the day before scheduled collection.
    § 5.20.130 · code text
    Containers are permitted in the public right-of-way only during the day preceding the day of scheduled collection and terminating the day following such collection.
Where carts are kept
  • On private property.
    Applies: Between collections.
    § 5.20.130 · code text
    Containers shall remain on private property and not in the public right-of-way except as necessary to accommodate scheduled collection.

Who this affects

HomeownersContractorsDesigners

Frequently asked questions

When can trash carts go out to the curb in Palo Alto?

Palo Alto's code: Do not put solid waste in recycling or compost containers, and remove any solid waste before collection. (Persons subscribing to refuse service.) (§ 5.20.105); Containers may stay in the public right-of-way until the day after collection. (§ 5.20.130).

General information, not legal advice.

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

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