Arlington and Tarrant County property owners and community managers: simplify recycling compliance while boosting resident satisfaction. National Doorstep’s valet trash & recycling service is designed to align with the City of Arlington multi-family recycling ordinance and Tarrant County solid-waste expectations, helping you reduce contamination, avoid fines, and enhance NOI with a turnkey, amenity-driven program.
In Arlington, new and redeveloped multi-family communities must provide on-site recycling collection service for residents under the City’s Health and Sanitation Chapter, Article II, Section 2.02.02 (Recycling Collection Services at Multi-Family Properties). Violations can trigger Class C misdemeanor citations with fines of up to $2,000 per offense. In unincorporated Tarrant County, there is currently no county-level apartment recycling mandate, but communities are still subject to solid-waste, nuisance, and illegal dumping rules and may choose to provide voluntary recycling through private haulers.
- NOI & Property Value Lift: Amenity-driven valet trash & recycling that can support rent premiums, renewals, and cleaner online reviews.
- Resident Convenience & Cleanliness: Doorstep service reduces overflow at dumpsters and keeps breezeways, stairwells, and courtyards clear.
- Compliance Simplified: Aligns with Arlington’s multi-family recycling ordinance and solid-waste standards without adding on-site staff or vehicles.
- Code-Backed Design: Inspector-friendly container layouts, labels, and resident education that support clean inspections and reduce complaints.
At a Glance: City of Arlington vs Unincorporated Tarrant County
City of Arlington
- Mandate Type: Mandatory multi-family recycling for covered properties under the Health and Sanitation Chapter, Article II, Section 2.02.02 (Recycling Collection Services at Multi-Family Properties).
- Applicability Threshold: Applies to multi-family properties as defined in Article I (properties with multiple dwelling units on a site). The ordinance primarily targets new or redeveloped multi-family communities approved after adoption of the 2018 ordinance.
- Owner Duties: Provide ongoing recycling collection service, adequate recycling containers, and clear resident-facing instructions; maintain container areas free of accumulation and contamination; and comply with any City reporting and plan requirements.
- Enforcement Notes: The adopting ordinance provides for fines of up to $2,000 for each offense. Under standard Arlington code-enforcement practice, each day a violation exists may be treated as a separate offense.
- Key City Links & Government Citations:
Arlington Code of Ordinances – Health & Sanitation Chapter (PDF) · Arlington City Council Agenda – Multi-Family Recycling Ordinance (June 19, 2018) · Ordinance Draft – Health: Recycling for New Multi-Family Properties (Legistar PDF) · Multi-Family Ordinance Staff Report – 06/19/18 (Legistar PDF) · Step-by-Step Multi-Family Recycling Guide (City of Arlington) · Annual Multi-Family Recycling Report Form (Ordinance No. 18-282) · Trash & Recycling – City of Arlington
Tarrant County (Unincorporated)
- Mandate Type: No county-level apartment recycling mandate. The County focuses on solid-waste, nuisance, and illegal dumping control; recycling at multi-family communities is generally optional and negotiated via private haulers.
- Applicability Threshold: County solid-waste and nuisance rules apply broadly to all properties in unincorporated Tarrant County. There is no specific “8+ units” or “5+ units” apartment recycling trigger in county code at this time.
- Owner Duties: Ensure household trash is managed under approved collection or disposal methods, maintain premises free of accumulated garbage and windblown debris, and avoid illegal dumping in or around the property.
- Program Notes: Communities can voluntarily provide on-site recycling (e.g., valet or centralized containers) using private contracts, aligning internal rules with County nuisance standards and resident expectations.
- Key County Links & References:
Tarrant County Public Health – Environmental Health · Tarrant County Solid Waste & Illegal Dumping Information · Solid Waste Permits & Facility Rules (Tarrant County)
Fines & Penalties Snapshot
- Arlington – Multi-Family Recycling Ordinance: The adopting ordinance for Section 2.02.02 of the Health & Sanitation Chapter provides for a fine of up to $2,000 for each offense, with violations enforced as Class C misdemeanors. In practice, each day a property remains out of compliance may be cited as a separate offense, creating potential daily exposure if recycling is not provided as required.
- Arlington – General Code Compliance: Properties can also be cited for related issues such as overflowing dumpsters, accumulated trash, blocked collection areas, or unsanitary conditions under other provisions of the Health & Sanitation Chapter and Code Compliance standards. Repeated violations can escalate to higher fines and more frequent inspections.
- Tarrant County – No Dedicated Apartment Recycling Fines: Because there is no county-wide apartment recycling mandate, there is no specific county fine schedule for failure to provide recycling service. However, properties may still face enforcement for illegal dumping, open dumping, or nuisance conditions that arise from poor waste management.
- Tarrant County – Solid-Waste & Nuisance Enforcement: Loads delivered to County-permitted facilities must follow covering, segregation, and material rules. Non-compliant loads can trigger extra charges or refusal of service, and persistent issues at a property can lead to enforcement actions under County and state environmental-health rules.
- Tip: Keep written records of recycling service contracts, annual City reports, contamination notices, resident education materials, and photos of your container areas to demonstrate good-faith compliance if a citation or fine is ever challenged.
Property Manager Compliance Checklist (Arlington & Tarrant County)
| Task | Action / Requirement | Authoritative Links |
|---|---|---|
| ☑ Confirm Jurisdiction & Ordinance Coverage | Verify whether your community is inside Arlington city limits (subject to the multi-family recycling ordinance) or in unincorporated Tarrant County. In Arlington, identify whether your property meets the City’s definition of a Multi-Family Property and whether it falls under the ordinance’s effective dates. | Trash & Recycling – City of Arlington · Tarrant County Solid Waste |
| ☑ Build an Arlington-Compliant Recycling Plan | For Arlington multi-family properties, create and maintain a written recycling plan that specifies container locations, service frequency, accepted materials, and a resident education approach. Align the plan with the Health & Sanitation Chapter, Article II, Section 2.02.02 and City guidance on multi-family recycling. | Health & Sanitation Chapter (PDF) · Ordinance Draft – Health: Recycling for New Multi-Family Properties · Multi-Family Ordinance Staff Report – 06/19/18 · Council Agenda – Multi-Family Recycling Ordinance (June 19, 2018) |
| ☑ Containers, Service Levels & Site Design | Right-size trash and recycling containers for your resident count and building layout. Ensure containers are accessible, clearly labeled, and safely placed for collection vehicles. In Arlington, having sufficient recycling capacity and clean, accessible enclosures is critical to demonstrating compliance with the ordinance and avoiding nuisance citations. | City of Arlington – Trash & Recycling · Arlington Code Compliance |
| ☑ Resident Education & House Rules | Provide clear move-in and recurring resident education on how to use doorstep service, what belongs in recycling versus trash, where containers are located, and when set-outs must occur. Use on-site signage, community emails, and door hangers to reinforce rules and reduce contamination. | Multi-Family Rapid Reference Guide – City of Arlington · Tarrant County Environmental Health |
| ☑ Annual Reporting & Documentation | Where required by Arlington, complete and submit the Annual Multi-Family Recycling Report. Keep copies of service agreements, annual reports, inspection notes, photos, and resident communications so you can quickly demonstrate compliance during a code inspection or property sale. | Arlington Annual Recycling Report Form · Arlington Code Compliance |
Need a fast compliance check? Request a Free Compliance Audit for your Arlington or Tarrant County property — we’ll right-size your containers, design resident-friendly doorstep service, and prepare inspection-ready documentation tailored to your community.
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