National Doorstep - The Valet Trash Service Experts

Lancaster City and Lancaster County property owners and community managers: simplify recycling compliance while boosting resident satisfaction. National Doorstep’s valet trash & recycling service aligns with the City of Lancaster Integrated Solid Waste Management Ordinance (Chapter 258, including § 258-34 through § 258-38) and countywide Lancaster County Solid Waste Management Authority (LCSWMA) rules plus Act 101–driven township and borough ordinances to reduce contamination and enhance NOI — all with a turnkey, inspector-friendly program.

In Lancaster City — and in surrounding Lancaster County municipalities that have adopted LCSWMA’s plan and rules — recycling service is mandatory for multifamily properties and their residents. Lancaster City regulates multifamily recycling under City Code Chapter 258, Article IV (Integrated Solid Waste Management), including § 258-34 (Mandatory Recycling) and § 258-37 (Multifamily Units and Nonresidential Units), while townships such as Lancaster Township and Upper Leacock mirror these standards through their own solid waste and recycling ordinances tied to the county plan.

  • NOI & Property Value Lift: Cleaner, code-aligned waste and recycling areas improve curb appeal, reduce overflow, and support higher resident retention across Lancaster City and suburban communities.
  • Resident Convenience & Cleanliness: Doorstep collection reduces cart room crowding, dumpster overflow, litter, and contamination — especially in older garden-style complexes and tight downtown courtyards.
  • Compliance Simplified: Program design that matches City of Lancaster Chapter 258, Lancaster Township Article III (Recycling), Upper Leacock Township Ordinance 2010-02, and LCSWMA Rules & Regulations.
  • Code-Backed Design: Inspector-friendly container layouts, signage, resident education, and documentation to help you avoid repeat Property Violation Tickets and LCSWMA surcharges.

At a Glance: City of Lancaster vs Lancaster County (Townships & Boroughs)

City of Lancaster

  • Mandate Type: Mandatory Recycling & Source Separation for all generators, including multifamily properties.
  • Applicability Threshold (Multifamily): “Multifamily Unit” is defined as a property with five (5) or more Residential Units, including apartment complexes, condominium complexes, retirement homes, and mobile home parks.
  • Duties: Under § 258-37, each person who owns or occupies a multifamily unit must:
    • Use a Permitted Collector for trash and recyclables.
    • Provide recycling containers at easily accessible locations for designated recyclables.
    • Provide written instructions to all persons occupying each multifamily unit so designated recyclables are source separated.
    • Provide collection and delivery of source-separated recyclables at least once per month.
  • Resident Duties: Under § 258-34 and § 258-38, every resident must source-separate single-stream recyclables, yard waste, tires, and white goods from trash.
  • Enforcement: Violations of Chapter 258 (including “failure to recycle” and “improper recycling”) are subject to Property Violation Tickets under Chapter 293, with fines, late fees, and abatement costs; each day a violation continues is treated as a separate offense.
  • Key City Links:
    City of Lancaster Code – Chapter 258 Solid Waste (Index)
    City of Lancaster – Article IV Integrated Solid Waste Management
    Chapter 293 – Property Violation Tickets & Fee Schedule
    2025 Lancaster City Trash & Recycling Newsletter (PDF)

Lancaster County & Municipal Partners

Fines & Penalties Snapshot

  • City of Lancaster – Recycling & Solid Waste Non-Compliance:
    Under Chapter 293 (Property Violation Tickets), “failure to recycle,” “improper recycling,” and certain container violations under Chapter 258 can trigger Property Violation Tickets:
    • Standard ticket amount of $25 per violation, with an additional $10 late fee if not paid within 30 days.
    • The City may also perform abatement (cleanups, container corrections) and bill the property owner for full abatement costs.
    • Each day a violation continues is treated as a separate offense; unpaid fines and costs can be pursued as municipal claims and collections.
    The City’s annual trash and recycling calendar notes that setting trash and recycling out at prohibited times may result in a violation notice and a fine, reinforcing that recycling and set-out rules are enforceable requirements.

  • Lancaster County / LCSWMA – Load Quality, Mixing & Facility Rule Violations:
    LCSWMA’s Rules & Regulations and rate schedules establish additional cost exposure for haulers and, indirectly, the properties they serve:
    • Loads delivered with unacceptable waste or mixed categories can be charged an “Unacceptable Waste Tipping Fee” of up to about $300 per ton, applied to the entire load.
    • A $50 fee per violation may be assessed for breaking LCSWMA operating or safety rules, plus minimum access fees for loads.
    • The Lancaster Facilities Rate Schedule allows at least $50 or actual cost to be assessed on mixed loads, on top of normal tipping fees.
    • LCSWMA may suspend facility access or revoke a hauler’s registration for repeat violations, which typically results in higher costs or loss of service options for non-compliant properties.

  • Lancaster County Townships & Boroughs – Local Code Enforcement:
    Townships such as Lancaster Township, West Hempfield, East Hempfield, and Upper Leacock adopt recycling ordinances that:
    • Require multifamily owners to provide recycling containers, written instructions to residents, and at least monthly collection of source-separated recyclables.
    • Tie violations into local enforcement frameworks where each day of non-compliance can constitute a separate violation, with civil fines and potential permit or approval consequences.

  • Tip: By maintaining service contracts, recycling container maps, resident education records, and photos of clean, well-signed recycling areas, you give city and township inspectors a clear, documented story of good-faith compliance — the best way to avoid daily penalties, surcharges, or liens.

Property Manager Compliance Checklist (Lancaster City & Lancaster County Multifamily)

Task Action / Requirement Authoritative Links
☑ Confirm Jurisdiction & Ordinances Determine whether your community is located:
• Inside the City of Lancaster: Multifamily properties (5+ units) follow Chapter 258 Article IV, including § 258-34 (Mandatory Recycling), § 258-37 (Multifamily Units and Nonresidential Units), and related sections.
• In a Lancaster County township or borough: Multifamily properties typically follow a parallel ordinance tied to the LCSWMA plan (e.g., Lancaster Township Chapter 222 or Upper Leacock Ordinance 2010-02).
• Check how “multifamily” is defined in your local code and whether any special reporting or recycling requirements apply to your community type. 		City of Lancaster Code – Chapter 258 Index
Article IV – Integrated Solid Waste Management
Lancaster Township – Recycling Article
Upper Leacock – Commercial & Multifamily Recycling
☑ Subscribe to Required Trash & Recycling Service Ensure your property has active, documented service for both trash and recycling:
• In Lancaster City, use a Permitted Collector or the contracted hauler consistent with § 258-35, § 258-37, and § 258-40.
• In townships and boroughs, contract with an LCSWMA-licensed or “permitted” hauler for both regulated municipal waste and designated recyclables.
• Confirm your contract covers the main recyclable materials (single-stream mix, yard waste, tires, white goods) and matches your resident count and turnover.
• Keep copies of current service agreements, invoices, and any special recycling arrangements. 		City of Lancaster – §§ 258-35, 258-37, 258-40
Lancaster Township – §§ 222-39, 222-41, 222-43
LCSWMA Rules & Regulations (Lancaster Facilities)
☑ Containers, Corral Layout & Signage Provide clearly labeled recycling containers in convenient, safe locations for residents:
• Size containers and pickup frequency to prevent overflow and litter.
• Place recycling containers where residents naturally travel (near mail kiosks, parking areas, or trash enclosures) but still accessible to your hauler.
• Post permanent signage at enclosures and cart rooms showing what residents can and cannot place in recycling, following the City or township’s single-stream guidelines.
• Use physical separation or signage to discourage contamination (trash in recycling or vice versa). 		City of Lancaster – § 258-37 (Multifamily Units)
Lancaster Township – § 222-41 (Multifamily Units)
Lancaster Township – Recycling Guidelines
LCSWMA Rules & Regulations – Container & Load Rules
☑ Resident Education & Communication Build a simple resident communication plan that proves you’re doing your part:
• Provide written recycling instructions to residents at move-in and when recycling rules change.
• In Lancaster City and aligned townships, owners of multifamily properties must provide written instructions to all persons occupying each multifamily unit so designated recyclables are source separated.
• Use door hangers, email blasts, resident portals, and on-site signage to show how residents should use the recycling areas correctly.
• Keep copies (PDFs, screenshots, printouts) of all resident-facing recycling communications as part of your compliance file. 		City of Lancaster – § 258-37(C)(2) (Written Instructions)
Lancaster Township – § 222-41(C)(2)
Act 101 Municipal Recycling Requirements (Apartments & Commercial)
☑ Documentation & Avoiding Daily Fines Create an “inspection-ready” binder (digital or physical) for your community:
• Current trash and recycling service agreements, invoices, and route info.
• Copies of any self-haul manifests or LCSWMA scale tickets (if applicable).
• Photos of container areas showing signage, cleanliness, and container labels.
• Log of resident education mailings, emails, or handouts (dates and content).
• Notes from internal walk-throughs and any corrective actions taken to reduce contamination.
With this documentation, you’re prepared if a City, township, or LCSWMA inspection occurs and can often resolve issues before they escalate into daily code fines, tickets, or surcharges. 		City of Lancaster – Chapter 293 (Property Violation Tickets)
LCSWMA Lancaster Rate Schedule (Mixed Load / Operating Fees)
LCSWMA Rules & Regulations – Operating & Safety Rules
☑ Coordinate with Hauler & LCSWMA on Contamination Turn compliance into a cost-control strategy:
• Work with your hauler to identify recurring contamination issues (e.g., bags of trash in recycling, bulky items in the corral).
• Ask how mixed loads and unacceptable materials are billed so you understand how resident behavior can drive surcharges.
• Use valet collection or targeted resident education in “problem buildings” to reduce contamination and avoid mixed-load penalties.
• Highlight your recycling performance and clean enclosures in marketing materials to show prospects that your community manages waste responsibly. 		LCSWMA Lancaster Rate Schedule – Mixed Load Surcharges
LCSWMA Rules & Regulations – Load Quality & Unacceptable Waste
LCSWMA – Main Website & Facility Info

Need a fast compliance check in Lancaster City or Lancaster County? Request a Free Compliance Audit for your Lancaster, Lancaster Township, Hempfield, Manheim Township, or other Lancaster County property — we’ll right-size your containers, draft resident education, and prepare inspection-ready documentation so you can stay ahead of Property Violation Tickets, LCSWMA surcharges, and resident complaints while improving your NOI.

Interested in talking about how we can work together? Here's our contact info.

National doorstep pickup

EVERY DOOR. EVERY NIGHT.®️