Cedar Rapids apartment owners, asset managers, and on-site teams: protect your assets from avoidable code issues while giving residents the clean, convenient valet trash & recycling experience they expect. National Doorstep designs valet trash & recycling programs that align with Cedar Rapids Municipal Code Chapters 24, 24A, and 24B and Linn County’s Corrugated Cardboard Recycling Ordinance, helping you stay ahead of enforcement while boosting resident satisfaction and NOI.
Within the City of Cedar Rapids, the Solid Waste & Recycling Division provides city-run garbage, recycling, and organics collection to most residential properties, and the code requires adequate solid-waste containers at all dwelling units and businesses under Chapter 24 – Solid Waste and Recycling. Separate chapters cover Residential Curbside Recycling (24A) and a corrugated cardboard landfill ban (24B), which support state waste-reduction goals and the Cedar Rapids/Linn County Solid Waste Agency system. In Linn County, a county cardboard ordinance requires recyclable corrugated cardboard to be kept out of the landfill and enforces violations as county infractions, with civil penalties that can accrue daily.
- Code-Aware Design: We align on-site trash & recycling with Cedar Rapids Chapters 24, 24A, 24B and Linn County cardboard-separation rules so your property manager can document good-faith compliance.
- Resident-First Convenience: Doorstep collection keeps residents out of dark, icy enclosures, reduces illegal dumping, and supports renewals, reviews, and overall community reputation.
- Cardboard & Contamination Control: Structured collection helps residents keep corrugated cardboard clean and separate, supporting both city and county landfill-diversion policies.
- Hands-Off Compliance: We handle hauler coordination, resident education, and documentation while your on-site team focuses on leasing, service, and operations.
At a Glance: City of Cedar Rapids vs. Linn County & Surrounding Communities
City of Cedar Rapids (Inside City Limits)
- Mandate Type: Mandatory solid-waste service with integrated residential recycling, plus a corrugated cardboard landfill ban.
- Applicability Threshold: All dwelling units and businesses must have solid-waste containers under Chapter 24. Residential recycling service is provided citywide; no explicit multifamily unit threshold (e.g., “5+ units” or “20+ units”) is specified in the code for apartment recycling obligations.
- Property Manager Duties: Ensure residents have access to city garbage and recycling carts or approved private service; keep containers in good condition and adequate number; maintain clean, accessible enclosures; and comply with corrugated cardboard separation requirements.
- Program Context: Chapter 24A regulates residential curbside recycling and curbside recycling businesses; Chapter 24B supports the ban on landfilling recyclable corrugated cardboard. Together they reinforce city and regional diversion goals.
- Key City Links:
Cedar Rapids Municipal Code – Chapters 24, 24A, 24B · Chapter 24 – Solid Waste & Recycling (eLaws) · Chapter 24A – Residential Curbside Recycling · Chapter 24B – Corrugated Cardboard Recycling · Garbage & Recycling – Solid Waste & Recycling Division
Linn County & Other Nearby Jurisdictions
- Mandate Type (County): Mandatory separation of recyclable corrugated cardboard under the Linn County Corrugated Cardboard Recycling Ordinance (Chapter 35) and related landfill ban.
- Applicability Threshold: Applies broadly to generators of recyclable corrugated cardboard in Linn County (including multifamily, commercial, and institutional properties). There is no published county ordinance that specifically sets a “5+ unit” or “20+ unit” apartment recycling threshold.
- Program Duties: Keep recyclable corrugated cardboard clean and separated from garbage for reuse or recycling; use permitted facilities such as the Cedar Rapids/Linn County Solid Waste Agency for drop-off and processing.
- Risk Profile: Violations of the county cardboard ordinance are enforced as county infractions. Each day a violation continues can be treated as a separate offense, increasing civil-penalty exposure over time.
- Key County & Regional Links:
Linn County – Corrugated Cardboard Recycling Ordinance (Chapter 35) · Linn County – Enforcement Ordinance (Chapter 19) · Linn County FAQ – Solid Waste Agency Contact · Cedar Rapids/Linn County Solid Waste Agency
Cedar Rapids & Linn County Fines & Penalties Snapshot
- Cedar Rapids – Municipal Infractions: Recycling and solid-waste violations are generally enforced as municipal infractions under Iowa Code § 364.22, which allows civil penalties up to $750 for a first violation and up to $1,000 for each repeat or continuing violation. For environmental-type violations, penalties can be assessed on a per-day basis.
- Linn County – County Infractions: Violations of the Linn County cardboard ordinance are enforced as county infractions under Iowa Code § 331.307, with civil penalties up to $750 per violation and up to $1,000 per repeat or continuing violation. The ordinance specifies that each day a violation exists can be treated as a separate offense.
- Utility Liens for Unpaid Service: Under Iowa Code § 384.84, unpaid solid-waste and recycling charges can become a lien against the property in many situations. For a property manager, that means ignored utility bills can follow the asset, not just the resident account.
- No Separate “Recycling Fine Table” in Code: Neither Cedar Rapids nor Linn County currently publish a standalone, recycling-only fine schedule; instead, recycling-related violations fall under these broader municipal/county infraction frameworks and any adopted fine schedules or resolutions.
- Risk-Management Tip for Property Managers: Treat these “up to $750/$1,000” penalty caps as a risk range. A documented, well-run valet trash & recycling program with clear resident education, photos, and hauler records is your best defense if a complaint or inspection escalates.
Cedar Rapids / Linn County Multifamily Recycling Compliance Checklist
| Task | Action / Requirement for Property Managers | Helpful Links |
|---|---|---|
| ☑ Confirm Jurisdiction & Service Type | Verify whether your community is inside Cedar Rapids city limits, in another Linn County city, or in unincorporated Linn County. Confirm whether you are using city-provided carts or a private hauler. City-served properties must follow Chapters 24, 24A, 24B; properties elsewhere must follow local ordinances plus the Linn County cardboard rules. | Cedar Rapids Municipal Code · Linn County Code – Table of Contents |
| ☑ Provide Adequate Trash & Recycling Capacity | Under Chapter 24, each dwelling unit must have access to solid-waste containers that are adequate in size and number. Make sure residents have sufficient trash and recycling capacity (carts, dumpsters, or compactors) to prevent overflow and illegal dumping, whether your service is city-provided or contracted. | Cedar Rapids Code – Chapter 24 · Garbage & Recycling Overview |
| ☑ Separate & Manage Corrugated Cardboard | Treat corrugated cardboard as a priority material. Both Cedar Rapids Chapter 24B and the Linn County cardboard ordinance require recyclable corrugated cardboard to be kept out of the landfill where practical. Implement resident-friendly methods (valet collection, enclosure cages, baling, or dedicated carts) to keep cardboard clean, flattened, and separated from trash. | Cedar Rapids Code – Chapter 24B · Linn County – Chapter 35 · Solid Waste Agency – Cardboard & Recycling |
| ☑ Keep Enclosures Clean, Safe & Accessible | Design and maintain dumpster and cart enclosures so residents can safely dispose of trash and recyclables without overflow, blocked lids, or loose debris. A doorstep collection program can dramatically reduce nuisance conditions, windblown litter, and contamination that draw complaints and inspections. | Cedar Rapids – Collection Guidelines · Solid Waste Agency – Drop-off Appointments |
| ☑ Monitor Bills & Avoid Utility Liens | For city-served properties, monitor solid-waste and recycling bills closely. Under Iowa Code § 384.84, unpaid utility charges (including solid waste) can become a lien on the property. Build internal controls so accounts are paid on time, even when resident turnover is high. | Cedar Rapids Rental Property – Procedures & Policies · Iowa Code § 384.84 – Utility Liens |
| ☑ Understand Civil Penalty Exposure | Make sure your leadership team understands that solid-waste and recycling issues can be cited as municipal or county infractions, with civil penalties up to $750 for a first offense and up to $1,000 for repeat or continuing offenses. Because each day can be treated as a separate violation, unresolved problems can escalate quickly. | Iowa Code § 364.22 – Municipal Infractions · Iowa Code § 331.307 – County Infractions · Linn County – Enforcement Ordinance |
| ☑ Document Service, Issues & Resident Education | Build a simple compliance file: service logs, photos of enclosures, contamination notes, hauler contracts, and resident-facing education pieces. When a complaint or inspection occurs, this documentation shows that your property manager has a structured program in place to help residents recycle correctly. | City Solid Waste & Recycling Info · Cedar Rapids/Linn County Solid Waste Agency |
Want a program that keeps residents happy and inspectors satisfied? Request a Free Compliance Audit for your Cedar Rapids / Linn County property. We’ll review your current trash & recycling setup, right-size containers and service levels, map out resident-friendly valet routes, and prepare the inspector-ready documentation you need to show alignment with Cedar Rapids and Linn County requirements.
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