Dallas apartment owners, asset managers, and on-site teams: avoid costly code violations while giving residents the modern valet trash & recycling amenity they expect. National Doorstep’s valet trash & recycling program is engineered to align with Dallas City Code, Chapter 18 (Municipal Solid Wastes) and the City’s multifamily recycling mandate for 8+ unit communities, helping you stay out of the $150–$500 per-day fine range while boosting NOI.
Within the City of Dallas, multifamily sites with 8 or more dwelling units on a lot must provide residents with access to recycling through a permitted recycling collector, maintain at least 11 gallons of recycling capacity per unit per week, and keep containers properly labeled and conveniently located under Dallas City Code, Chapter 18, Sec. 18-5.1. In unincorporated Dallas County and other nearby cities, there is currently no county-wide apartment recycling mandate, but owners are still exposed to solid-waste and nuisance violations when enclosures overflow or residents lack clean, convenient disposal options.
- Protect NOI & Asset Value: Reduce risk of $150–$500 per-violation, per-day fines by aligning your program with the Dallas multifamily recycling ordinance.
- Resident-First Convenience: Doorstep service that keeps residents out of dark enclosures, reduces trips to dumpsters, and supports renewals and online reputation.
- Code-Smart Design: Container layouts, labels, and service frequencies designed around Sec. 18-5.1 capacity rules and inspector expectations.
- Hands-Off Compliance: We handle hauler coordination, resident education, and documentation so your team can focus on leasing and operations.
At a Glance: City of Dallas vs. Dallas County & Other Cities
City of Dallas (Inside City Limits)
- Mandate Type: Mandatory offer of recycling service for multifamily sites.
- Applicability Threshold: Applies to “multifamily sites” with 8+ dwelling units on a lot under Chapter 18, Sec. 18-5.1.
- Owner Duties: Provide recycling service through a permitted recycling collector; maintain at least 11 gallons of recycling container capacity per unit per week; place containers in visible proximity to trash; keep areas clean and accessible to residents.
- Program Duties: File and maintain a written Multifamily Recycling Plan and affidavit; ensure signage and resident education so residents know what and where to recycle.
- Key City Links: Dallas City Code – Chapter 18, Sec. 18-5.1 (Multifamily Recycling) · Multifamily Recycling for Property Managers · Dallas Multifamily Recycling FAQs · Permitted Multifamily Recycling Haulers
Dallas County & Other Nearby Cities
- Mandate Type: No county-wide apartment recycling mandate. Most cities and unincorporated areas treat apartments as commercial solid-waste customers.
- Applicability Threshold: Solid-waste rules apply broadly to properties, but there is no county ordinance that requires multifamily properties to provide on-site recycling to residents.
- Program Duties: Maintain adequate trash service; prevent overflow, illegal dumping, and nuisance conditions; rely on private haulers or voluntary recycling programs to provide residents with recycling access.
- Risk Profile: Even without a formal recycling mandate, properties can still be cited for unsanitary conditions, overflowing containers, and improperly managed waste.
- How National Doorstep Helps: We design valet trash & recycling programs that meet or exceed local expectations and anticipate future ordinance changes, so your communities are “inspection ready” across the Dallas–Fort Worth metro.
Dallas County Cities & Apartment Recycling Mandates
Only the City of Dallas currently has a codified multifamily recycling mandate with a clear unit threshold and fine structure. All other cities in Dallas County operate under general solid-waste and property maintenance rules without a dedicated apartment recycling mandate, but they still expect clean, well-managed enclosures and compliant waste handling.
| City | Apartment Recycling Mandate? | Notes for Owners & Managers |
|---|---|---|
| Dallas | Yes – Multifamily recycling ordinance |
Multifamily sites with 8+ dwelling units on a lot must provide residents with access to recycling via a permitted recycling collector, maintain at least 11 gallons of recycling capacity per unit per week, place recycling near trash, and follow Chapter 18 documentation and education requirements. Non-compliance can trigger $150–$500 per-violation, per-day fines. Key local links: City of Dallas – Official Site |
| Addison | No dedicated apartment recycling mandate |
Apartments are generally treated as commercial solid-waste customers. Recycling is typically offered through private haulers or optional programs. Properties should focus on clean, well-managed enclosures and consider voluntary valet trash & recycling to stay ahead of future policy changes. Key local links: Town of Addison – Official Site |
| Balch Springs | No dedicated apartment recycling mandate |
Solid-waste and nuisance rules apply, but there is no codified requirement forcing apartment owners to provide on-site recycling for residents. A structured valet trash & recycling program helps prevent overflow, illegal dumping, and enforcement issues. Key local links: City of Balch Springs – Official Site |
| Carrollton | No dedicated apartment recycling mandate |
Apartments typically use a franchise hauler arrangement for trash and may add recycling service by contract. There is no apartment-specific recycling mandate, but communities are expected to keep trash areas clean and compliant. Key local links: City of Carrollton – Official Site |
| Cedar Hill | No dedicated apartment recycling mandate |
City code focuses on container, set-out, and nuisance standards. Recycling at apartments is generally optional and delivered through private service agreements rather than a mandate. Key local links: City of Cedar Hill – Official Site |
| Cockrell Hill | No dedicated apartment recycling mandate |
Multifamily properties must comply with trash, bulk, and nuisance rules. Recycling programs may be offered voluntarily via haulers but are not required by a city-wide apartment recycling ordinance. Key local links: City of Cockrell Hill – Official Site |
| Combine | No dedicated apartment recycling mandate |
Smaller jurisdiction where apartments typically coordinate directly with haulers. Compliance focus is on proper trash handling, not mandated recycling service to residents. Key local links: City of Combine – Official Site |
| Coppell | No dedicated apartment recycling mandate |
City offers residential recycling and regulates solid waste; however, there is no specific ordinance requiring multifamily communities to provide recycling access to residents. Best practice is to align with regional recycling expectations. Key local links: City of Coppell – Official Site |
| DeSoto | No dedicated apartment recycling mandate |
Apartments fall under commercial collection rules. Recycling is typically contracted on a voluntary basis. Well-designed valet trash & recycling programs help reduce contamination and code complaints. Key local links: City of DeSoto – Official Site |
| Duncanville | No dedicated apartment recycling mandate |
Local code addresses trash, bulk, and nuisance conditions, but does not impose a formal apartment recycling mandate. Communities that implement recycling and valet trash can stand out to residents and inspectors. Key local links: City of Duncanville – Official Site |
| Farmers Branch | No dedicated apartment recycling mandate |
The city promotes recycling and regulates solid waste, but apartments are not currently required by ordinance to provide on-site recycling. Owners should still prevent overflow and illegal dumping around enclosures. Key local links: City of Farmers Branch – Official Site |
| Ferris | No dedicated apartment recycling mandate |
Solid-waste and property maintenance codes apply. Recycling at multifamily communities is typically optional and coordinated via private haulers. Key local links: City of Ferris – Official Site |
| Garland | No dedicated apartment recycling mandate |
Garland operates a strong residential recycling program and provides a drop-off option for residents, but apartments are not required by ordinance to offer on-site recycling. Apartment communities can voluntarily add valet trash & recycling to reduce trips to drop-off facilities. Key local links: City of Garland – Official Site |
| Glenn Heights | No dedicated apartment recycling mandate |
Apartments must comply with solid-waste service requirements and nuisance rules, but there is no apartment-specific recycling trigger. Hauler contracts can be used to add resident recycling where desired. Key local links: City of Glenn Heights – Official Site |
| Grand Prairie | No dedicated apartment recycling mandate |
Grand Prairie regulates trash and offers residential recycling, but there is no codified multifamily recycling mandate with thresholds and fines. Apartment properties are still expected to manage enclosures and bulk items cleanly. Key local links: City of Grand Prairie – Official Site |
| Grapevine | No dedicated apartment recycling mandate |
Largely in Tarrant County with a portion in Dallas County, Grapevine supports recycling through its residential program, but apartments are not currently required by ordinance to provide resident recycling service. Key local links: City of Grapevine – Official Site |
| Highland Park | No dedicated apartment recycling mandate |
Dense, high-value area with strict property maintenance expectations but no dedicated apartment recycling ordinance. Valet trash & recycling can be a key amenity and risk-management tool. Key local links: Town of Highland Park – Official Site |
| Hutchins | No dedicated apartment recycling mandate |
Multifamily properties follow general solid-waste rules. Recycling is typically available via private haulers and is not mandated by city code. Key local links: City of Hutchins – Official Site |
| Irving | No dedicated apartment recycling mandate |
Irving has evaluated multifamily recycling policies in the past, but there is no adopted ordinance currently requiring apartments to provide resident recycling. Communities rely on contracts with haulers to add or expand recycling programs. Key local links: City of Irving – Official Site |
| Lancaster | No dedicated apartment recycling mandate |
Local code focuses on trash, bulk, and nuisance standards. Apartment recycling is optional and arranged through solid-waste providers, not mandated through an 8+ unit-style ordinance. Key local links: City of Lancaster – Official Site |
| Lewisville | No dedicated apartment recycling mandate |
Primarily in Denton County (with a small portion touching Dallas County), Lewisville promotes residential recycling but does not have a dedicated apartment recycling mandate. Multifamily properties manage recycling through private haulers. Key local links: City of Lewisville – Official Site |
| Mesquite | No dedicated apartment recycling mandate |
Mesquite regulates solid waste and haulers and provides residential recycling, but multifamily communities are not under a Dallas-style recycling mandate. Properties can still face citations for trash overflow and nuisance conditions. Key local links: City of Mesquite – Official Site |
| Ovilla | No dedicated apartment recycling mandate |
Smaller suburban market where multifamily waste and recycling are handled via contract. No apartment recycling ordinance with thresholds and fines is currently in place. Key local links: City of Ovilla – Official Site |
| Richardson | No dedicated apartment recycling mandate |
Richardson permits commercial and multifamily recycling haulers, but the city does not require apartment owners to provide recycling to residents. Recycling access is driven by hauler contracts and owner preferences. Key local links: City of Richardson – Official Site |
| Rowlett | No dedicated apartment recycling mandate |
City offers recycling service and enforces solid-waste rules, but there is no ordinance compelling apartments to provide on-site recycling. Voluntary programs and valet trash & recycling services fill the gap. Key local links: City of Rowlett – Official Site |
| Sachse | No dedicated apartment recycling mandate |
Apartments must follow trash and nuisance rules; recycling is typically an optional amenity provided through private haulers and not a mandated service under city code. Key local links: City of Sachse – Official Site |
| Seagoville | No dedicated apartment recycling mandate |
Local solid-waste regulations and property maintenance codes apply to multifamily properties, but there is no apartment recycling mandate similar to Dallas’s ordinance. Key local links: City of Seagoville – Official Site |
| Sunnyvale | No dedicated apartment recycling mandate |
Smaller, lower-density community where apartments are limited. Recycling is offered via residential service and private haulers, not a multifamily ordinance. Key local links: Town of Sunnyvale – Official Site |
| University Park | No dedicated apartment recycling mandate |
High-standard property maintenance expectations but no apartment-specific recycling mandate. Valet trash & recycling is often used as a premium amenity and housekeeping tool. Key local links: City of University Park – Official Site |
| Wilmer | No dedicated apartment recycling mandate |
Industrial and logistics-heavy area with general solid-waste rules. Apartment communities coordinate trash and recycling directly with haulers as needed. Key local links: City of Wilmer – Official Site |
| Wylie | No dedicated apartment recycling mandate |
Wylie spans Collin, Dallas, and Rockwall Counties and offers residential recycling, but apartments are not currently required by ordinance to provide on-site recycling. Multifamily owners should work with haulers to design voluntary recycling and valet trash programs. Key local links: City of Wylie – Official Site |
Dallas Fines & Penalties Snapshot
- Per-Day Misdemeanor Penalties: Under Dallas City Code, Chapter 18, violations of key solid-waste and multifamily recycling provisions are typically treated as misdemeanors punishable by a fine of not less than $150 and not more than $500 per violation, per day.
- Each Day = Separate Offense: If a multifamily site fails to provide the required recycling service, does not maintain minimum container capacity, or ignores a notice of violation, each day the condition persists may be cited as a separate offense in the $150–$500 range.
- Owner & Hauler Exposure: Both property owners/managers and collection service businesses can be cited when they fail to comply with Chapter 18 requirements, including using unpermitted haulers or failing to provide required recycling access to residents.
- Related Solid-Waste Violations: Overflowing dumpsters, uncontained loose trash, and recurring contamination issues can trigger additional solid-waste and property maintenance violations, further increasing the fine exposure and inspection frequency.
- Risk Management Tip: Build a paper trail: keep signed hauler agreements, service logs, resident education pieces, contamination photos, and copies of multifamily recycling plans. This documentation shows good-faith compliance if a notice of violation or citation is issued.
Dallas Multifamily Recycling Compliance Checklist
| Task | Action / Requirement | Helpful Links |
|---|---|---|
| ☑ Confirm Jurisdiction & Unit Count | Verify that your community is inside the City of Dallas and confirm your total dwelling units. If you have 8 or more units on a lot within city limits, the multifamily recycling requirements of Sec. 18-5.1 apply. | Dallas Code – Sec. 18-5.1 · Dallas Sanitation Services |
| ☑ Engage a Permitted Recycling Collector | Confirm that your current vendor is a permitted multifamily recycling collector in the City of Dallas. If you only have trash service, you are at risk: add recycling service to meet the mandate and match service levels to resident volume. | Permitted Multifamily Recycling Haulers · Multifamily Recycling – Property Managers |
| ☑ Meet Minimum Capacity & Placement Rules | Ensure you have at least 11 gallons of recycling container capacity per resident dwelling unit per week. Place recycling containers in visible proximity to trash containers and make them similarly convenient for residents (including valet collection points if used). | Dallas Code – Capacity & Location Requirements · Multifamily Recycling FAQs |
| ☑ Create & Maintain a Written Recycling Plan | Prepare a written Multifamily Recycling Plan that covers your permitted hauler, service frequency, container sizes, materials accepted, and a simple site map. Keep a signed copy and update it when service levels change. Be ready to present it during inspections or upon request. | Recycling Plan Guidance |
| ☑ Resident Education & Signage | Provide clear, recurring resident education at move-in and throughout the year: what can be recycled, where to place bags/containers, and collection times. Use signage at enclosures, mail kiosks, elevators, and digital channels so residents know exactly how to use the service. | Resident-Facing FAQs |
| ☑ Document Service & Inspections | Keep a file with service logs, contamination notices, photos of container areas, vendor contracts, and resident communications. This helps you quickly respond to complaints, demonstrate diligence to inspectors, and justify operational decisions to owners and lenders. | Dallas Sanitation – Contact & Resources |
Need to get out of the $150–$500/day risk zone? Request a Free Compliance Audit for your Dallas-area property. We’ll review your current setup, right-size containers and service, design a resident-friendly valet trash & recycling program, and prepare the inspector-ready documentation you need to show alignment with Dallas City Code Chapter 18.
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