El Paso and El Paso County property owners and community managers: simplify solid-waste compliance and offer residents a cleaner, more convenient way to recycle. National Doorstep’s valet trash & recycling service is designed around the City of El Paso’s Title 9, Chapter 9.04 (Solid Waste Management) and El Paso County’s illegal-dumping and nuisance enforcement so you can stay inspection-ready while boosting resident satisfaction.
In the City of El Paso, curbside recycling is integrated into the residential solid-waste program for city-served homes and smaller multifamily communities, and larger apartment communities on commercial service are expected to work with Permitted Haulers under Chapter 9.04. In unincorporated El Paso County, there is no dedicated apartment recycling mandate, but communities are still subject to state and county illegal-dumping laws, with disposal options structured through county service areas, private haulers, and interlocal agreements that allow use of the City’s landfill and Citizen Collection Stations.
- NOI & Property Value Lift: Amenity-driven valet trash & recycling that can support rent premiums, renewals, and a cleaner online reputation.
- Resident Convenience & Cleanliness: Doorstep service keeps residents from overloading enclosures, reduces loose bags on the ground, and improves the look of breezeways and parking areas.
- Compliance Simplified: Aligns with City of El Paso Chapter 9.04 solid-waste standards and El Paso County illegal-dumping enforcement without adding headcount.
- Code-Backed Design: Inspector-friendly container layouts, labels, and resident education that help prevent prohibited accumulation, contamination, and illegal dumping issues.
At a Glance: City of El Paso vs Unincorporated El Paso County
City of El Paso
- Mandate Type: No dedicated apartment recycling mandate. Curbside recycling is built into the City’s residential solid-waste program, and commercial / mixed-use properties (including many larger apartment communities) are required to use a Permitted Hauler; recycling is strongly encouraged but not explicitly mandated by a unit threshold.
- Applicability Threshold: Residential cart program applies to city-served residential accounts; Chapter 9.04 does not specify a “5+ units” multifamily recycling trigger.
- Duties: Maintain active solid-waste service; use City-issued carts or permitted commercial containers; keep lids closed and avoid overflow; keep properties free from prohibited accumulations of solid waste and recyclable materials; ensure any recyclables generated are properly stored and collected.
- Program Notes: The Environmental Services Department (ESD) operates curbside trash and recycling, the Greater El Paso Landfill, and Citizen Collection Stations, which also serve as drop-off sites for recyclables to complement the curbside program.
- Key City Links: El Paso Code – Chapter 9.04 Solid Waste Management · City of El Paso Environmental Services · Citizen Collection Stations & Recycling Drop-Off
El Paso County (Unincorporated)
- Mandate Type: No dedicated apartment recycling mandate. County solid-waste enforcement focuses on illegal dumping, nuisance abatement, and state Health & Safety Code violations. Multifamily recycling is optional and typically provided through private haulers or special districts.
- Applicability Threshold: County rules apply broadly to all properties in unincorporated areas; there is currently no county ordinance that requires multifamily properties to provide on-site recycling for residents.
- Program Duties: Use required residential collection service where a county or utility district contract applies; prevent illegal dumping or open storage of trash; direct residents to approved landfills, transfer stations, and collection programs for disposal and recycling.
- Program Notes: Interlocal agreements between the City and County allow eligible county residents to use the Greater El Paso Landfill and Citizen Collection Stations for household waste and recyclables, supporting county enforcement against roadside dumping and nuisance sites.
- Key County Links: El Paso County Public Works · County Attorney – Environmental Crimes Unit · El Paso County Environmental Guide (PDF) · City–County Interlocal Waste Disposal Agreement
Fines & Penalties Snapshot
- City of El Paso – Chapter 9.04 Penalties: Under Section 9.04.630 (Other Penalties), any person (including an owner, manager, or resident) who violates Chapter 9.04 may be charged with a misdemeanor and fined up to $2,000 per violation, with each day of a continuing violation treated as a separate offense. Illegal dumping offenses under this chapter may be fined up to $4,000 per violation.
- City of El Paso – Prohibited Accumulation & Nuisance: Accumulation of solid waste or recyclable materials can be treated as a public nuisance. The City can order cleanup within a set time, abate the nuisance, bill the owner, and place a lien on the property if the charges are not paid.
- El Paso County – Illegal Dumping & Environmental Crimes: In unincorporated areas, illegal dumping and unmanaged trash sites can lead to civil and criminal enforcement through the County Attorney’s Environmental Crimes Unit and Texas Health & Safety Code provisions, including fines and possible jail time for serious cases.
- County Service Areas & Contracts: In designated county residential collection areas or utility districts, residents must typically use and pay for the contracted hauler. Ignoring service requirements or allowing conditions to become a nuisance can trigger enforcement actions and additional costs.
- Tip: Keep written records of service agreements, route schedules, contamination notices, resident education campaigns, and photos of your waste and recycling areas. This documentation is invaluable if you need to respond to a citation, fine, or inspection inquiry.
Property Manager Compliance Checklist (City of El Paso & El Paso County)
| Task | Action / Requirement | Authoritative Links |
|---|---|---|
| ☑ Confirm Jurisdiction & Service Type | Confirm whether your community is inside the City of El Paso (served by City Environmental Services for carts and drop-off facilities) or in unincorporated El Paso County (served by county service areas, utility districts, or private haulers). This determines which chapters, enforcement agencies, and options apply. | City of El Paso Environmental Services · El Paso County Public Works |
| ☑ Subscribe to Required Solid-Waste Service | Within city limits, ensure each building or master account has active municipal solid-waste service; larger apartment communities on commercial service must use a Permitted Hauler under Chapter 9.04. In the county, verify that your property is covered by a county-designated hauler, utility district contract, or private service agreement and that all residents are included. | El Paso Code – Chapter 9.04 · El Paso County Environmental Guide |
| ☑ Containers, Set-Out & Prohibited Accumulation | Provide enough container capacity so carts and dumpsters do not overflow; keep lids closed; follow set-out times, spacing, and access rules. For bulky items or overflow, use authorized special collections, landfill, or Citizen Collection Stations. Prevent any condition that looks like illegal dumping or prohibited accumulation on or near the property. | City Community Services & Collection Guidelines · Citizen Collection Stations · County Environmental Crimes Unit |
| ☑ Resident Education & Signage | Give every resident clear instructions at move-in and periodically: where to place bags, what belongs in recycling versus trash, how to use doorstep service, and how to report illegal dumping. Use bilingual signage and simple icons at enclosure and valet set-out points to reduce contamination and avoid nuisance complaints. | City ESD – Recycle & Community Resources · County Environmental Guide (Resident-Facing Info) |
| ☑ Document Notices, Fines & Vendor Agreements | Maintain a compliance file with hauler contracts, schedules, manifests (if applicable), code-enforcement notices, photos of corrected issues, and copies of resident communications. This helps you respond quickly if a Chapter 9.04 violation, illegal-dumping complaint, or county investigation touches your property. | City–County Interlocal Waste Disposal (Example Framework) · El Paso Code – Chapter 9.04 |
Need a fast compliance check? Request a Free Compliance Audit for your El Paso or El Paso County property — we’ll right-size your containers, design resident-friendly doorstep service, and prepare inspection-ready documentation aligned with Chapter 9.04 and county enforcement expectations.
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