San Bernardino Garbage Pickup Ordinance & Fees

Public Health and Welfare California 3 Minutes Read · published February 10, 2026 Flag of California · By Emily Carter

San Bernardino, California residents and businesses must follow local rules for garbage pickup schedules, container placement, and permitted materials. This article summarizes where to find the controlling municipal ordinance and official service guidance, what fees or fines may apply, how enforcement works, and practical steps to report missed collections or request service changes.

Understanding Schedules & Service

Collection days, holiday schedules, and container sizes are set by the city and its contracted hauler; residential and commercial rules may differ. Check the city's solid waste service page for pickup calendars, accepted materials, and bulky-item rules: City Solid Waste Services[1]. Municipal code provisions that authorize collection rules and service requirements are published in the city's code: San Bernardino Municipal Code - Refuse[2].

  • Standard residential pickup: check your address calendar on the city page.
  • Holiday schedule changes usually posted annually on the city solid waste page.
  • Bulky-item and hazardous-waste procedures vary; special pickup may require a request.
Check your address-specific calendar early each year to avoid missed collections.

Fees & Billing

Service fees and rate schedules for residential and commercial collection are typically set by ordinance or by contract with the hauler. Specific rate tables and billing procedures are provided by the city or its contracted provider; if a detailed rate table or fee amounts are not shown on the cited official pages, the exact fees are not specified on the cited page.[2]

  • Monthly residential service rates: not specified on the cited page.
  • Commercial and roll-off rates: not specified on the cited page.
  • Billing disputes: follow the billing/contact instructions on the city solid waste page.[1]

Penalties & Enforcement

The municipal code and city enforcement policies govern violations such as improper placement of containers, illegal dumping, or failure to arrange required disposal. Where the official code or department page lists fines or penalties, cite those amounts; where the code page does not list specific penalties or escalation schedules, the amounts are not specified on the cited page.[2]

  • Common violations: placing containers out early/late, noncompliant containers, illegal dumping.
  • Monetary fines: not specified on the cited page.
  • Escalation (first/repeat/continuing offences): not specified on the cited page.
  • Non-monetary sanctions: abatement orders, required cleanup, and referral to collections or court may apply per the code.
  • Enforcer and complaints: Public Works / Solid Waste division; report service issues or code violations via the official service request or contact page.[1]

Applications & Forms

The city posts service request forms and special pickup request procedures on its solid waste page. If no specific form number is published, state that no numbered form is listed on the cited page and follow the online request process described on the city site.[1]

How to Report Missed Pickup or Illegal Dumping

Follow these action steps to resolve missed collections or report code violations:

  1. Check the address calendar on the city solid waste page to confirm pickup day.[1]
  2. If service is missed, submit an online service request or contact the hauler as directed on the city page.
  3. For illegal dumping or code violations, file a complaint with Code Enforcement via the city's service portal.
  4. Preserve photos and dates to support any billing dispute or enforcement appeal.
Keep photos and a written timeline for any disputed incidents.

FAQ

Who sets garbage pickup days for my address?
The city and its contracted hauler set pickup days; use the city solid waste service calendar to confirm your schedule.[1]
How do I request a bulky-item pickup?
Submit the bulky-item request form or online service request found on the city's solid waste page.[1]
What are the fines for illegal dumping?
Specific fine amounts are not specified on the cited municipal code page; enforcement procedures are described in the municipal code.[2]

How-To

  1. Locate your address on the city solid waste pickup calendar page.[1]
  2. If pickup was missed, use the online service request or call the contact number listed on the city page.
  3. For illegal dumping or persistent service failures, submit a code enforcement complaint with photos and dates.
  4. Keep records of communications and payments in case of dispute or appeal.

Key Takeaways

  • Confirm your address-specific pickup calendar on the city's solid waste page.
  • Report missed pickups or violations via the city's online service request.
  • Document incidents with photos and dates to support appeals or enforcement requests.

Help and Support / Resources

  1. [1] City Solid Waste Services - City of San Bernardino
  2. [2] San Bernardino Municipal Code - Refuse

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Emily Carter

Emily Carter

Municipal Policy Researcher

Emily researches municipal codes and local ordinances across the United States. She verifies every guide against official city and state sources before publication.