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Sunnyvale · Building on your lot

Trash and recycling carts in Sunnyvale

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

What Sunnyvale's code says

Sunnyvale code What Sunnyvale's code adds
When carts must come back
  • No later than six a.m. on the day after scheduled collection
    § 8.16.050 · code text
    Collection containers shall be removed from designated collection location, public street, sidewalk, or curb after collection no later than six a.m. on the day after scheduled collection;
  • A container the collector did not empty may stay at the curb until collected, or up to 24 hours.
    Applies: Missed collection, or the collector left a service tag.
    § 8.16.050 · code text
    If the authorized collector does not collect a container as scheduled or a service tag has been issued, that container may be left at the curb or other designated collection location until collected/emptied or for no more than twenty-four hours;
When carts may go to the curb
  • Put containers out no earlier than 12:01 a.m. on the day before the scheduled collection day.
    § 8.16.050 · code text
    Containers may be placed curbside or in a designated collection location, or in a location accessible for removing and emptying by the authorized collector, no earlier than 12:01 a.m. on the day preceding the scheduled collection day;
  • Items may not be placed curbside more than 24 hours before the scheduled collection day.
    Applies: Un-containerized mixed waste, organics, recyclables or bulky items collected through a clean-up day, on-call bulky item collection or similar program.
    § 8.16.050 · code text
    those items may not be placed curbside more than twenty-four hours before the scheduled collection day.

Who this affects

HomeownersContractorsDesigners

Frequently asked questions

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

Sunnyvale's code: No later than six a.m. on the day after scheduled collection (§ 8.16.050); A container the collector did not empty may stay at the curb until collected, or up to 24 hours. (Missed collection, or the collector left a service tag.) (§ 8.16.050).

General information, not legal advice.

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

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Sunnyvale Municipal Code — full text