Regional Compliance Hub: Electronics, Bulk Items & Recycling — Ann Arbor, MI

This regional hub is designed to help Ann Arbor apartment residents and property managers identify the appropriate City-approved or otherwise lawful pathway for materials excluded from ordinary City collection or requiring special handling—including electronic waste, certain bulky items, household hazardous materials, appliances, tires, textiles, and other hard-to-recycle materials.

Ann Arbor requires multifamily properties to participate in the City's recycling program, while the Recycle Ann Arbor Drop-Off Station provides a separate pathway for many materials that do not belong in ordinary City trash or recycling containers. [1] [4]

Recycle Ann Arbor Drop-Off Station: Hard-to-Recycle Materials

Accepted Materials: The Drop-Off Station accepts many materials requiring separate recycling or disposal, including qualifying electronics, appliances, Freon appliances, textiles, plastic bags, tires, scrap metal, expanded polystyrene, yard waste, furniture, and construction/debris materials, subject to current acceptance rules and fees. [1] [2]

Current Hours Through August 13, 2026: Tuesday & Thursday, 8:30 AM–6:30 PM; Friday, 7:00 AM–4:00 PM; and Saturday, 9:00 AM–6:00 PM. The facility is closed Monday, Wednesday, and Sunday. [1]

Friday Schedule Change: Beginning August 14, 2026, Recycle Ann Arbor states that Friday hours will change to 9:00 AM–6:00 PM. Verify current hours before traveling. [1]

  • Facility: Recycle Ann Arbor Drop-Off Station [1]
  • Address: 2950 E. Ellsworth Rd, Ann Arbor, MI 48108 [1]
  • Tue / Thu: 8:30 AM–6:30 PM [1]
  • Friday: 7:00 AM–4:00 PM through Aug. 13, 2026; 9:00 AM–6:00 PM beginning Aug. 14, 2026 [1]
  • Saturday: 9:00 AM–6:00 PM [1]
  • Payment: Credit cards only — no cash or checks [1]

Drop-Off Station Fees: Residential vs. Large-Volume Loads

Residential Gate Fee: The current residential gate fee is $3 per day. [2]

Large-Volume Gate Fee: Loads of 2 cubic yards or more are currently subject to a $15 large-volume gate fee. Commercial quantities may receive additional pricing at the gatehouse. [2]

Hard-to-Recycle Surcharge: Current additional charges are $5 for residential volume and $17 for qualifying large-volume hard-to-recycle loads. Item-specific fees may also apply. [2]

Electronics & Appliances: TVs, monitors, appliances, Freon appliances, bulbs, hard-drive destruction, tires, furniture, mattresses, construction debris, and other listed materials have separate current charges. [2]

Ann Arbor Residents: Free Gate-Entry Pass Available

Resident Benefit: The City of Ann Arbor currently allows qualifying City residents to apply for a free Drop-Off Station entry pass that waives the ordinary residential gate-entry fee. [3]

Important: The free pass applies to the entry fee only. Material-specific fees for electronics, furniture, appliances, hard-to-recycle materials, and other fee-based services still apply. The pass is for Ann Arbor residents and does not apply to commercial users. [3]

Winter Warning: Some Materials May Stop at 5:00 PM

Seasonal Rule: During the winter months, generally November through March, Recycle Ann Arbor states that certain materials may not be accepted after 5:00 PM because of lighting and safety limitations. [1]

These categories currently include scrap metal, general waste, bulky waste, furniture, and yard waste. Plan late-day winter visits accordingly. [1]

Ann Arbor Multifamily Recycling: Required for All Multifamily Properties

Mandatory Participation: Current City guidance states that all multifamily properties are required to participate in Ann Arbor's recycling program. The City and Recycle Ann Arbor provide outdoor recycling containers and collection service to multifamily properties. [4]

Current Chapter 26 Framework: Ann Arbor requires customers to separate recyclable materials from refuse and store recyclables in approved solid-waste containers in accordance with the City's Solid Waste Regulations. [9] [10]

10+ Unit Properties: Current Recycling Dumpster Guidance

City Customer Guidance: Ann Arbor's current multifamily service page states that properties with 10 or more units use recycling dumpsters, while 96-gallon recycling carts are provided to qualifying smaller multifamily properties based on unit count. [4]

Property Manager Action: Container type, placement, access, and collection configuration must comply with current City-approved solid-waste container requirements and the Solid Waste Regulations. Confirm the property's assigned service configuration with City Customer Service before changing containers or collection points. [9] [10]

2026 Property Manager Requirements: Containers, Leases & Resident Education

Sufficient Containers: Under current Chapter 26, landlords of residential and commercial customers must provide sufficient solid-waste containers to enable the property to comply with City container, collection-point, and storage requirements. [9] [10]

Lease & Custodial Agreements: Current Chapter 26 requires landlords to include compliance with applicable solid-waste container, collection-point, and storage requirements in lease agreements with tenants and contracts for custodial services. [10]

New Tenant Education: Landlords must provide new tenants with educational materials concerning the applicable solid-waste requirements and show tenants where solid-waste containers are located. [10]

Annual Communication: Landlords must communicate the applicable container, collection, and storage requirements to tenants at least annually and cooperate with additional City-sponsored communications. [10]

Recycling Preparation: Clean, Loose & Unbagged

Accepted City Recycling: Ann Arbor currently accepts qualifying paper, flattened cardboard, metal cans, glass bottles/jars, plastic bottles/containers/tubs, and aseptic cartons. [5]

Preparation: Recyclables should be clean and unbagged. Glass bottles and jars should have tops removed; accepted plastic containers should be cleaned, with preparation following current City guidance. [5]

Keep Out of Ordinary Recycling: Current City guidance excludes materials including plastic bags/film, Styrofoam, batteries, electronics, light bulbs, toxic materials, medical waste, scrap metal, textiles, construction debris, yard trimmings, and bulky items from ordinary recycling carts. Some of these materials have separate Drop-Off Station or other recycling pathways. [5]

Electronics: Not Collected Through Ordinary City Solid-Waste Service

City Rule: Ann Arbor's current Solid Waste Regulations state that electronic waste will not be collected by the City. Residents and commercial locations are directed toward the Drop-Off Station, reuse programs, or manufacturer/product-return programs. [11]

TVs & Computer Monitors: Current City HHW/electronics guidance specifically states that televisions and computer monitors are prohibited from Ann Arbor trash and recycling carts and dumpsters because of the toxic materials that can be released when these devices are crushed. [6]

Local Option: The Drop-Off Station accepts many electronics for recycling, although item-specific charges apply. Retail/manufacturer take-back programs may also provide alternatives. [2] [6]

Bulk Items: Special Handling Required

Current Chapter 26: The City does not collect bulk items that do not fit inside curb carts, including examples such as furniture, mattresses, appliances, and oversized or overweight building materials. Customers must make other arrangements for proper removal and disposal. [9]

Drop-Off Option: The Recycle Ann Arbor Drop-Off Station accepts many furniture, mattress, appliance, construction/debris, and other bulky categories for current item-specific fees. [2]

Property Manager Note: Bulk-item procedures should be coordinated with the property's actual City/franchise collection configuration. Resident self-haul should not be represented as a substitute for a property's necessary recurring waste capacity or management of property-generated bulk material.

Household Hazardous Waste: Appointment-Based Resident Programs

Weekday Option: Washtenaw County residents may use the Household Hazardous Waste Center at 10843 W. Five Mile Road, Northville, MI 48168. Current City guidance lists weekday appointments Tuesday–Thursday. [7]

Ann Arbor Saturday Option: The Home Toxics Center, 705 N. Zeeb Road, Ann Arbor operates scheduled Saturday collection opportunities, generally on select Saturdays from April through November. Registration/appointments are required. [6] [7]

Property Manager Warning: These household hazardous-waste services are intended for Washtenaw County resident household materials. Current City guidance states that materials generally must not have been used for a business, government entity, or other organization, subject to stated exceptions such as pesticides. [6]

Management-shop chemicals, contractor-generated waste, and other business-generated hazardous material should therefore follow an appropriate commercial hazardous-waste pathway.

Glass Recycling: Yes — Ann Arbor Single-Stream

Status: Ann Arbor accepts glass bottles and jars in its ordinary recycling program. [5]

Preparation: Keep accepted recyclables clean and unbagged, and remove tops from glass bottles and jars under current City guidance. [5]

Multifamily Compost: Verify the Property’s Current Service Configuration

Current City Service: Ann Arbor's multifamily service page currently states that ordinary curbside compost collection is not generally offered to multifamily properties, although residents may use the City's applicable drop-off option. [4]

2026 Solid Waste Rules: Current Chapter 26 and the Solid Waste Regulations require separation of compostables when approved compostable containers are present. Property managers should therefore verify the actual City-approved compost configuration for the specific property rather than assuming every multifamily property receives curbside compost collection. [10] [11]

Chapter 26 Enforcement: Civil Fines & Continuing Violations

Current Penalty Schedule: Ann Arbor Chapter 26 provides that violations of the Chapter or incorporated Solid Waste Regulations are civil infractions. Current penalties are:

$200 — first offense
$400 — second offense
$1,000 — each additional or subsequent offense within five years [9]

Continuing Violations: Each day of violation may constitute a separate violation, subject to the limitations in the current enforcement provision. Unpaid penalties may also be assessed against the parcel under applicable City procedures. [9]

Green Rental Housing Ordinance: Separate Energy-Efficiency Requirement

Effective January 6, 2026: Ann Arbor's Green Rental Housing program establishes minimum energy-efficiency requirements for rental units as part of the City's rental-inspection framework. [12]

Important Compliance Distinction: Green Rental Housing is not the legal authority for Ann Arbor's multifamily recycling mandate. Recycling and solid-waste requirements arise separately under Chapter 26 and the City's Solid Waste Regulations. [9] [11]

National Doorstep: On-Property Valet Service vs. Regulated Off-Site Hauling

Important 2026 Code Distinction: Ann Arbor's current Chapter 26 definition of “Solid Waste Hauler” covers persons or entities engaged in the business of collecting, transporting, or disposing of solid waste from customers in the City across public streets or rights-of-way. [9] [10]

The current Code expressly states that the definition does not include valet solid-waste removal and transport from customers located within a single property or development to a container located within that same property or development. [9] [10]

National Doorstep's Standard Scope: National Doorstep operates within that onsite/upstream service model: porters move properly prepared resident-setout trash and recyclables from apartment doors to property-designated containers located on the same private property or development, under ownership or authorized management approval.

Off-Site Hauling Remains Separate: National Doorstep's standard doorstep service does not replace the City, Recycle Ann Arbor, Waste Management, or another authorized City/franchise provider responsible for regulated off-site collection, transportation, processing, recycling, or disposal.

If a proposed service configuration would cross public streets or rights-of-way, move material between separate properties/developments, or otherwise perform regulated off-site hauling, the property should separately verify the applicable Chapter 26 contract/franchise requirements.

How We Solve This For You (National Doorstep)

Compliance is operational. National Doorstep can support Ann Arbor multifamily recycling operations by standardizing resident set-out procedures, directing properly prepared recyclables to property-designated recycling containers, helping reduce contamination and overflow, and reinforcing resident-facing recycling routines.

Our standard service operates upstream from City/franchise off-site hauling and is designed to work with the property's approved solid-waste containers and existing City-authorized collection system.

CTA: Request a Free Compliance Audit for your Ann Arbor Property

Compliance Note: This page provides general operational and property-management information and is not legal advice. Ann Arbor Chapter 26, Solid Waste Regulations, City/franchise service arrangements, Drop-Off Station fees and hours, accepted materials, and Washtenaw County hazardous-waste programs can change. Property owners and managers should verify current requirements with the City of Ann Arbor, Recycle Ann Arbor, the applicable City/franchise collection provider, and qualified counsel when appropriate.

EEAT Sources: [1] Recycle Ann Arbor: Drop-Off Station — current hours, accepted materials, winter restrictions & gate-fee structure  |  [2] Recycle Ann Arbor: Drop-Off Station Prices — residential / large-volume fees, electronics, furniture, mattresses & hard-to-recycle pricing  |  [3] City of Ann Arbor: Free Drop-Off Station Pass Program for City Residents  |  [4] City of Ann Arbor: Multifamily Carts, Dumpsters, Recycling & Compost Service  |  [5] City of Ann Arbor: Recycle — accepted materials, contamination rules & multifamily container guidance  |  [6] City of Ann Arbor: Home Toxics Disposal — HHW eligibility, electronics & resident/business distinction  |  [7] City of Ann Arbor: Drop-Off Options — Northville HHW Center, Zeeb Road Home Toxics & resident Drop-Off Station pass  |  [8] Washtenaw County: Household Hazardous Waste Disposal  |  [9] Ann Arbor Code of Ordinances — Chapter 26, Solid Waste Management  |  [10] Ann Arbor ORD-26-14 — current 2026 Chapter 26 amendments effective July 5, 2026  |  [11] City of Ann Arbor: Solid Waste Regulations — January 15, 2026  |  [12] City of Ann Arbor: Green Rental Housing — separate rental energy-efficiency requirements

Regulatory review date: August 8, 2026. Drop-Off Station Friday hours are scheduled to change on August 14, 2026. Verify current facility hours and fees, Chapter 26 amendments, Solid Waste Regulations, accepted materials, HHW appointment requirements, and City/franchise service arrangements before relying on this page for a future compliance decision.

 
National Doorstep - The Valet Trash Service Experts

Ann Arbor apartment owners, asset managers, and property managers: support recycling compliance and resident convenience with a program designed around the property's actual City-approved solid-waste infrastructure. National Doorstep’s valet trash & recycling service can be configured to support City of Ann Arbor Chapter 26, the City's current Solid Waste Regulations, and property-specific recycling requirements while operating upstream from regulated off-site hauling.

Within the City of Ann Arbor, current City guidance states that all multifamily properties are required to participate in the City's recycling program. Current City service guidance also states that locations with 10 or more units use recycling dumpsters, while qualifying smaller multifamily properties generally receive recycling carts based on unit count and service configuration.

  • All Multifamily Properties: Ann Arbor requires multifamily properties to participate in the City recycling program.
  • 10+ Unit Service: Current City multifamily guidance assigns recycling dumpsters to locations with 10 or more units.
  • 2026 Landlord Duties: Current Chapter 26 imposes specific landlord responsibilities involving sufficient containers, leases/custodial contracts, new-tenant education, and recurring resident communications.
  • Resident Education: New tenants must receive applicable solid-waste educational information and be shown where the property's containers are located.
  • Annual Communication: Applicable container, collection-point, and storage requirements must be communicated to residents at least annually.
  • Current Fine Schedule: Chapter 26 provides civil penalties of $200 for a first offense, $400 for a second offense, and $1,000 for additional/subsequent offenses within five years, plus applicable costs and remedies.
  • On-Property Valet Distinction: Current Chapter 26 expressly distinguishes qualifying same-property valet movement from regulated off-site solid-waste hauling.

At a Glance: City of Ann Arbor vs. Washtenaw County

City of Ann Arbor — Inside City Limits

  • Mandate Type: Mandatory multifamily recycling participation.
  • Applicability: All multifamily properties must participate in the City's recycling program.
  • 10+ Unit Guidance: Current City service guidance states that locations with 10+ units use recycling dumpsters.
  • Smaller Multifamily: Qualifying properties generally receive 96-gallon recycling carts based on unit count and City-approved service configuration.
  • Service: Current City guidance states that outdoor recycling containers and collection are provided to multifamily properties at no additional charge.
  • Landlord Responsibilities: Provide sufficient approved solid-waste containers; incorporate applicable solid-waste requirements into leases and custodial-service contracts; educate new tenants; show tenants container locations; and communicate applicable requirements at least annually.
  • Key Links:
    Ann Arbor — Carts & Cart Placement
    Current Ann Arbor Chapter 26

Washtenaw County — Outside Ann Arbor

  • County Structure: Washtenaw County contains seven cities and numerous townships with differing local waste/recycling programs.
  • Countywide Mandate: The current official County materials reviewed for this page do not establish one uniform countywide apartment-recycling mandate comparable to Ann Arbor Chapter 26.
  • Local Verification Required: Multifamily managers should verify the actual city or township before determining collection eligibility, recycling requirements, rental-property rules, nuisance standards, or private-hauler responsibilities.
  • Do Not Generalize: Ypsilanti, Chelsea, Dexter, Manchester, Milan and Saline maintain different municipal collection structures.
  • Property Manager Priority: Confirm municipal eligibility and the property's private/municipal collection contract before modifying trash or recycling service.
  • County Resource:
    Washtenaw County — Solid Waste

Washtenaw County Cities — Property Manager Recycling & Solid-Waste Information

Washtenaw County's current official city directory identifies Ann Arbor, Chelsea, Dexter, Manchester, Milan, Saline, and Ypsilanti. The programs below are not interchangeable. A property manager should verify the property's precise jurisdiction and municipal-service eligibility before relying on a residential collection program.

City Multifamily / Recycling Structure Property Manager Priority Important Local Notes Official Resource
Ann Arbor Mandatory multifamily recycling. Current City guidance states all multifamily properties participate in the City recycling program. Locations with 10+ units use recycling dumpsters. Confirm sufficient City-approved container capacity, proper recycling participation, lease/custodial language, new-tenant education, annual resident communication, and clean/accessible collection points. Chapter 26 contains current civil-penalty provisions and specific landlord duties. Same-property valet movement can be legally distinct from regulated off-site hauling when it falls within the current Code definition. Ann Arbor Multifamily Service
Chapter 26
Ypsilanti City curbside recycling is automatically available to qualifying one- and two-family residential properties. Some multifamily properties with up to four units may apply for curbside recycling, but acceptance is not guaranteed. Larger apartment communities should not assume City curbside eligibility. Verify the property's private trash/recycling arrangement and maintain adequate container capacity and clean waste areas. Current City guidance states that multifamily recycling at scale exceeds current City capacity. Rental properties seeking City recycling carts must be properly enrolled in the City's rental Certificate of Compliance program. Ypsilanti Recycling
Multifamily Recycling Enrollment
Saline The City currently identifies Waste Management as its solid-waste, recycling, and yard-waste service provider. Confirm whether the apartment property is included in the City's contracted collection structure or requires a separate multifamily/commercial service configuration. Do not assume the ordinary curbside residential limits apply to an apartment complex. Current City guidance includes municipal trash, recycling, yard-waste and bulk-item procedures. Saline also maintains a rental-property program, so property managers should separately confirm applicable rental/code-compliance obligations. Saline Refuse Collection
Saline Recycling
Dexter The City contracts with Waste Management for trash and recycling. Current City resident materials identify weekly residential collection and separate commercial collection schedules. Confirm whether the specific multifamily development falls within the City's municipal contract or requires a customized commercial/multifamily collection arrangement. Dexter's current resident guidance emphasizes clean/sanitary storage of trash and prohibits illegal dumping into containers belonging to others or businesses. Property managers should maintain adequate onsite capacity and prevent overflow/unauthorized dumping. City of Dexter
Dexter Resident Handbook
Chelsea Chelsea maintains its own Solid Waste Department / Transfer Station and links residents to the Western Washtenaw Recycling Authority (WWRA) for recycling resources. Multifamily property managers should verify whether the property's recurring collection is municipal, WWRA-related, or privately contracted. Do not treat Chelsea's transfer station as a substitute for adequate recurring apartment waste service. The City's Werkner Road facility functions as a transfer station rather than an active landfill. Bulk/drop-off and transfer-station rules are separate from ongoing multifamily property collection. Chelsea Solid Waste
Western Washtenaw Recycling Authority
Milan Milan operates a municipal solid-waste and recycling program using a contracted collection provider. Confirm whether a multifamily property falls within standard municipal service or requires a separate commercial/multifamily arrangement. Maintain adequate containers and follow current City/collector restrictions for bulk, hazardous, construction, and special waste. Current City service guidance includes trash, recycling, yard waste, bulk-item procedures and restrictions on hazardous waste and certain prohibited materials. Property managers should verify current service terms before applying household limits to apartment communities. City of Milan
Milan Solid Waste & Recycling Guide
Manchester The City currently contracts with LRS for weekly trash and recycling collection. Confirm whether the apartment/multifamily property is included in the municipal collection structure or needs a separate service arrangement. Keep property waste areas clean and verify special-material procedures. Current Manchester guidance states ordinary weekly refuse collection does not include construction/demolition debris, hazardous material, liquids, televisions, computer monitors, microwave ovens, or compostable yard waste. Manchester Garbage & Recycling
Manchester Collection Information
Washtenaw County Jurisdiction Warning: Do not use the phrase “rest of Washtenaw County” as though every jurisdiction follows one apartment-recycling rule.

Outside Ann Arbor, determine the actual city or township, then verify that jurisdiction's current municipal collection contract, rental-property rules, nuisance/property-maintenance standards, and any private-hauler requirements.

A County recycling/drop-off resource does not by itself establish that a multifamily property is eligible for a municipal curbside program.

Ann Arbor Chapter 26 — Fines & Enforcement Snapshot

  • First Offense: Current Chapter 26 provides a $200 civil fine.
  • Second Offense: Current Chapter 26 provides a $400 civil fine.
  • Additional / Subsequent Offenses: Current Chapter 26 provides $1,000 for each additional or subsequent offense within a five-year period, plus applicable costs and other remedies.
  • Continuing Violations: Each day may constitute a separate violation, subject to the qualifications and maximum-fine provisions in the current Code.
  • Parcel Assessment: Current Chapter 26 provides a mechanism for certain unpaid civil penalties/costs to be assessed against the property after the applicable statutory period.
  • Owners / Landlords / Agents: Current Chapter 26 can impose duties or enforcement exposure on owners, landlords and agents—including persons managing or operating property for an owner— depending on the provision and facts involved.
  • Risk Management: Compliance requires actual operational performance. Documentation can help demonstrate what the property did, but records alone do not substitute for sufficient containers, proper separation, City-authorized collection, or required resident communication.

Ann Arbor Multifamily Recycling Compliance Checklist

Task Action / Requirement Helpful Links
☑ Confirm City Jurisdiction Verify that the property is actually inside the City of Ann Arbor. Ann Arbor's Chapter 26 requirements should not automatically be applied to a nearby Ann Arbor mailing address located in a township. City of Ann Arbor
☑ Confirm Multifamily Recycling Participation Current City guidance states that all multifamily properties must participate in the City's recycling program. Confirm that the property has active City/Recycle Ann Arbor recycling service. Multifamily Carts & Dumpsters
☑ Confirm 10+ Unit Dumpster Configuration Current City customer guidance states that locations with 10+ units use recycling dumpsters. Confirm the property's City-approved container configuration before adding, relocating, or replacing recycling containers. City Container Guidance
☑ Provide Sufficient Containers Current Chapter 26 requires landlords to provide sufficient solid-waste containers so the location can comply with applicable container, collection-point, and storage requirements. Ann Arbor Chapter 26
☑ Include Requirements in Leases Include compliance with applicable City solid-waste container, collection-point, and storage requirements in tenant lease agreements as required by current Chapter 26. Current Chapter 26
☑ Address Custodial Contracts Applicable solid-waste container, collection-point, and storage requirements should also be incorporated into custodial-service contracts where required by the current landlord provisions. Chapter 26 — Landlord Requirements
☑ Educate New Tenants Provide new tenants with applicable City solid-waste/recycling educational materials and show tenants where the property's solid-waste containers are located. Chapter 26
City Recycling Guidance
☑ Communicate At Least Annually Communicate the applicable solid-waste container, collection, and storage requirements to tenants at least annually and cooperate with applicable City-sponsored communications. Current City Code
☑ Keep Recyclables Properly Separated Residents and property operations should separate recyclable material from refuse and follow the City's current accepted-material and preparation specifications. Keep ordinary recycling free of electronics, batteries, plastic bags, Styrofoam and other excluded materials. Ann Arbor — What to Recycle
☑ Keep Collection Areas Serviceable Maintain clear access to approved carts/dumpsters, prevent overflow and loose waste, keep lids/containers usable, and address contamination or blocked-service conditions promptly. City Solid Waste Hub
☑ Route Electronics Separately Electronic waste is not collected through ordinary City solid-waste collection. TVs and computer monitors are specifically prohibited from ordinary Ann Arbor trash and recycling carts/dumpsters. Use an approved electronics recycling or take-back pathway. Home Toxics / Electronics
Recycle Ann Arbor Drop-Off Station
☑ Separate Resident HHW from Property Waste Washtenaw County household hazardous-waste programs are intended primarily for qualifying household-generated materials. Do not automatically route maintenance-shop chemicals, contractor-generated material, or other business/property-generated hazardous waste through resident programs. Washtenaw County HHW
☑ Maintain Operational Documentation Operational best practice: retain service agreements, container inventories, resident education/annual communication records, contamination notices, photographs, missed-service records, and corrective actions. Ann Arbor Solid Waste Resources
☑ Understand Enforcement Exposure Current Chapter 26 provides $200 first offense / $400 second offense / $1,000 additional or subsequent offense within five years, plus applicable costs and other remedies. Ann Arbor Chapter 26

National Doorstep: On-Property Valet Service vs. Off-Site Hauling

Current Ann Arbor Code Distinction: Chapter 26 regulates the business of solid-waste hauling and contains provisions governing City/franchise off-site collection. Current 2026 amendments also expressly distinguish qualifying valet solid-waste movement within a single property or development to a container located on that same property or development from the definition of a regulated Solid Waste Hauler.

National Doorstep's Standard Scope: National Doorstep's standard service is designed around that onsite/upstream model: porters move properly prepared resident-setout trash and recyclables from apartment doors to property-designated containers on the same private property/development under ownership or authorized management approval.

Off-Site Collection Remains Separate: The City, Recycle Ann Arbor, the City's franchise hauler, or another applicable authorized provider remains responsible for the separate regulated function of off-property collection, transportation, processing, recycling, and disposal.

If a proposed service configuration would move material between separate properties/developments or across public streets or rights-of-way as part of the collection/hauling function, the property should separately verify current Chapter 26 and franchise requirements before implementation.

Compliance Responsibility: National Doorstep can support resident education, onsite collection routines, contamination management, service documentation, and coordination with the property's existing collection system. Property ownership/management remains responsible for satisfying applicable landlord and property obligations under Chapter 26.

Ann Arbor / Washtenaw County Multifamily Compliance Summary

  • ☑ Ann Arbor: All multifamily properties must participate in City recycling.
  • ☑ 10+ Units: Current City guidance uses recycling dumpsters at 10+ unit locations.
  • ☑ Sufficient Containers: Current Chapter 26 imposes container-capacity obligations on landlords.
  • ☑ Lease / Custodial Language: Current Chapter 26 includes solid-waste compliance provisions for leases and custodial-service contracts.
  • ☑ New Tenant Education: Provide materials and show residents where containers are located.
  • ☑ Annual Communication: Applicable requirements must be communicated at least annually.
  • ☑ Fine Schedule: $200 first / $400 second / $1,000 additional or subsequent offense within five years, plus applicable costs/remedies.
  • ☑ Washtenaw County: Do not assume Ann Arbor's multifamily mandate applies countywide.
  • ☑ Seven Cities: Ann Arbor, Chelsea, Dexter, Manchester, Milan, Saline and Ypsilanti each require jurisdiction-specific review.
  • ☑ National Doorstep: Same-property doorstep-to-container valet movement is distinct from regulated off-site hauling when configured within the current Chapter 26 exclusion.

Need a property-specific recycling and valet-service review? National Doorstep can evaluate your current container layout, resident set-out procedures, onsite recycling workflow, downstream collection arrangement, and resident communication process.

Request a Free Compliance Audit for Your Ann Arbor or Washtenaw County Property
Compliance Disclaimer: This page provides general operational and property-management information and is not legal advice. Ann Arbor Chapter 26, the City's Solid Waste Regulations, municipal collection contracts, franchise arrangements, Washtenaw County programs, city/township rules, accepted materials, fees, and service eligibility can change.

Property owners and managers should verify the property's actual municipal jurisdiction and current requirements with the applicable City/Township, City of Ann Arbor, Recycle Ann Arbor, Washtenaw County, the property's collection provider, and qualified counsel when appropriate.

Authoritative Ordinance & Policy Sources

Regulatory review date: August 8, 2026. Verify current Ann Arbor Chapter 26 amendments, Solid Waste Regulations, municipal collection contracts, multifamily service eligibility, accepted materials, franchise arrangements, and local code changes before relying on this page for a future compliance decision.

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