Miami property owners and community managers: simplify recycling compliance while boosting resident satisfaction. National Doorstep’s valet trash & recycling service aligns with City of Miami and Miami-Dade County multifamily recycling requirements to reduce contamination and enhance NOI — all with a turnkey, inspector-friendly program.
Across the City of Miami and Miami-Dade County, recycling service is mandatory for multifamily properties. The City regulates multi-family recycling under the City of Miami Code Chapter 22, Article III (“Recycling Program”), including Sec. 22-19 (multi-family residences) and Sec. 22-93 (enforcement & administrative fees). Miami-Dade County requires every multi-family residential establishment to provide a recycling program under County Code Chapter 15, Sec. 15-2.2 and related solid waste provisions.
- NOI & Property Value Lift: Cleaner, code-aligned waste rooms improve curb appeal and resident retention.
- Resident Convenience & Cleanliness: Doorstep collection reduces dumpster overflow, litter, and contamination.
- Compliance Simplified: Program design that matches City of Miami Chapter 22 and Miami-Dade County Chapter 15 requirements.
- Code-Backed Design: Inspector-friendly container layouts, signage, and resident education to help avoid daily fines.
At a Glance: City of Miami vs Miami-Dade County
City of Miami
- Mandate Type: Mandatory Recycling Program for multi-family residences.
- Applicability Threshold: Multi-family residences with two (2) or more dwelling units must provide a recycling program under Sec. 22-19, as amended by Ordinance O-12258.
- Duties: Property owners must provide and maintain a recycling program for residents, using a licensed recycling contractor, with adequate containers, placement, and access.
- Enforcement: Violations are enforced through administrative fines and fees under Sec. 22-93.
- Key City Links:
City Code Ch. 22, Art. III (Recycling Program)
Sec. 22-19 – Multi-family Residences
Sec. 22-93 – Enforcement & Administrative Fees
Ordinance O-12258 (PDF)
Miami-Dade County
- Mandate Type: Mandatory Recycling for multi-family residential establishments (apartments, condominiums).
- Applicability Threshold: County guidance treats multi-family buildings with four (4) or more units as covered “multi-family establishments” under the County’s multifamily recycling program.
- Program Duties: Provide on-site recycling for at least five materials (newspaper; glass; aluminum cans; steel cans; plastics PETE/HDPE), with appropriate containers, signage, and resident education.
- Enforcement: Non-compliant properties may receive daily fines until a compliant recycling program is in place.
- Key County Links:
County Code Sec. 15-2.2 – Multi-family Recycling
County Code Ch. 15 – Solid Waste Management
County Multifamily Recycling Overview
County Multifamily Recycling Brochure (PDF)
Fines & Penalties Snapshot
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City of Miami – Failure to Provide Required Recycling Program:
Under City Code Sec. 22-93 (Enforcement; Administrative Fees), property owners who do not provide a required recycling program face:
• $262.50 – First offense
• $525.00 – Second offense
• $1,050.00 – Third & subsequent offenses
Authoritative Links:
City Code Sec. 22-93 (HTML) · City Code Ch. 22, Art. III · Ordinance O-12258 (Threshold Amendment, PDF) -
Miami-Dade County – Multifamily Recycling Non-Compliance:
County enforcement states that non-compliant apartment complexes or condominiums may be fined $300 to $950 per day until a compliant recycling program is in place. Fines scale based on the number of residential units on the property. -
Miami-Dade – Recycling Contamination Enforcement (Cart Areas):
In areas using County-issued recycling carts, repeated contamination may result in a contamination fee (for example, around $152 after multiple warnings), in addition to other enforcement actions.Supporting Source:
Contamination Fee Report - Tip: Maintain service contracts, container maps, and resident education records so inspectors can verify your good-faith compliance and help you avoid daily fines.
Property Manager Compliance Checklist (City of Miami & Miami-Dade County)
| Task | Action / Requirement | Authoritative Links |
|---|---|---|
| ☑ Verify Jurisdiction & Threshold |
Confirm if your property is within City of Miami limits or under County-only (unincorporated) enforcement, then apply the stricter rule: • City of Miami – multi-family residences with 2+ dwelling units must provide a recycling program under Sec. 22-19 (as amended by Ordinance O-12258). • Miami-Dade County – multi-family buildings with 4+ units are treated as covered “multi-family establishments” and must recycle the five required materials. |
Miami Sec. 22-19 Ordinance O-12258 (PDF) Miami-Dade Sec. 15-2.2 County Brochure (PDF) |
| ☑ Subscribe to Required Services |
Maintain active service agreements for trash and recycling with a properly permitted hauler: • Ensure service levels match the number of residents and units. • In the City, use a licensed recycling contractor as required by Chapter 22. • In the County, confirm service covers the mandated five materials (newspaper, glass, aluminum cans, steel cans, plastics PETE/HDPE). |
City of Miami Ch. 22, Art. III Miami-Dade Ch. 15 County Multifamily Recycling Overview |
| ☑ Containers, Labels & Access |
Provide clearly labeled recycling containers in convenient locations for residents, separate from trash: • Size containers to handle expected volume and prevent overflow. • Post signage showing what residents can and cannot place in recycling. • Maintain safe access routes for residents and collection vehicles. |
Miami Recycling Program Requirements County Signage & Materials (PDF) |
| ☑ Resident Education & Recordkeeping |
Build a simple but consistent education and documentation system: • Provide move-in and annual reminders explaining how residents should use the recycling areas. • Keep copies of notices, emails, and door hangers as proof of education. • Retain hauler contracts, invoices, and contamination notices for inspectors. |
County Program Overview Miami Sec. 22-93 – Enforcement |
| ☑ Avoid Fines & Daily Penalties |
Work proactively to prevent violations and daily fines: • Conduct periodic walk-throughs of recycling areas and adjust container sizes or pickup frequency. • Address contamination with targeted resident communication instead of waiting for citations. • Use a valet service to standardize set-out behavior and keep a clean, inspector-ready site. |
City Fines – Sec. 22-93 County Fine Ranges Contamination Fee Article |
Need a fast compliance check? Request a Free Compliance Audit for your Miami or Miami-Dade County property — we’ll right-size your containers, draft resident education, and prepare inspection-ready documentation so you can avoid fines and keep residents happy.
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