National Doorstep Valet Trash 844-APT-TRASH

Effective July 6, 2026: Ocala discontinued its City residential curbside recycling service and transitioned to designated recycling drop-off locations. Former residential recycling carts were repurposed as garbage carts under the City's transition procedures.

This change does not automatically terminate independent apartment recycling contracts or remove site-specific recycling obligations. Property management should verify its actual sanitation account and collection arrangements.

Municipal Solid-Waste Requirements

• Authorized collection: City Code Chapter 54 generally reserves municipal solid-waste collection to the City, subject to applicable authorized-collector provisions and exclusions.
• Commercial collection: the City's standard commercial sanitation guidance specifies at least weekly collection, with sufficient service to prevent waste accumulating outside containers.
• Roll-off compactors: adopted Ordinance 2025-41 amended Section 54-31 to permit a maximum 14-day accumulation period for qualifying roll-off compactor operations. Confirm the authorized service arrangement and actual pickup schedule with the City.
• Dumpster pads: confirm approved location, construction, surface, drainage, container placement and access requirements.
• Container conditions: maintain functional lids, covers and gates; prevent litter, leakage, odors, blocked access and accumulation outside containers.
• Cardboard and bulk: break down oversized boxes, establish approved bulky-item collection and keep collection paths and emergency access clear.

Commercial sanitation: 352-351-6740 .

City Commercial Sanitation · Current Recycling Program · Ocala Code Chapter 54 · Ordinance 2025-41

Unincorporated Marion County properties generally rely on independent franchise haulers for garbage collection. County recycling centers provide disposal and recycling access for eligible residents subject to assessment, permit, material, vehicle and quantity restrictions.

Important Multifamily Distinctions

• Resident eligibility: assessed unincorporated residents may use qualifying County recycling facilities under current rules.
• Municipal residents: residents of incorporated cities or towns may require a non-assessed permit for County recycling-center access.
• Commercial restrictions: businesses cannot dispose of business-generated trash or recyclables at County residential recycling centers.
• Vehicle restrictions: commercial, branded or commercial-tagged vehicles are restricted at residential recycling centers.
• Commercial disposal: the Baseline Transfer Station or another approved facility may be an option, subject to acceptance and charges.
• Recycling preparation: County residential recycling requires clean, empty, dry and loose materials. Glass and plastic bags are not accepted in the County recycling stream.

Property management should not substitute resident drop-off privileges for an approved commercial waste program.

County Recycling & Disposal Rules · Garbage Pickup & Franchise Haulers

Florida Statutes §403.706(2)(c) addresses adequate space and recycling receptacles for qualifying newly developed multifamily and commercial properties receiving a certificate of occupancy on or after July 1, 2012.

The statute expressly limits this provision to jurisdictions with an established qualifying residential or commercial recycling program providing receptacles and regular collection, and makes applicability subject to local ordinances.

Because Ocala changed its residential recycling program in 2026, property management should confirm the current interpretation of this provision with the applicable local reviewing authority.

Development Review

• Review original certificate-of-occupancy date and any later development approvals.
• Examine approved recycling areas, receptacles, dumpster pads and site plans.
• Confirm whether modifications, changes of use or redevelopment trigger additional review.
• Do not remove an approved recycling area without confirming any applicable permit or site-plan obligations.

Florida Statute §403.706

Incorporated municipalities maintain their own service arrangements. Do not apply City of Ocala schedules, Marion County franchise rules or County recycling-center privileges to another municipality without confirmation.

• Belleview: publishes residential and small-business garbage and recycling service information. Verify separate multifamily or commercial arrangements, containers and bulk pickup.
• Dunnellon: uses contracted collection arrangements. Confirm current service classification, collection schedules, recyclables, prohibited materials and special pickup.
• McIntosh: publishes residential garbage and recycling procedures through its contracted provider. The current Town waste-service page lists recycling every other Friday. Verify commercial and multifamily eligibility separately.
• Reddick: obtain direct Town confirmation regarding collection providers, account classification, recycling availability and bulk procedures.
• Marion Oaks: verify the applicable County franchise hauler, container capacity, collection access and move-out waste procedures.
• Silver Springs Shores: confirm collection agreements and control litter, leaking containers and blocked emergency access.
• Summerfield: senior-living, apartment and association properties should verify private-road, gate, container-accessibility and contracted pickup requirements.
• Citra and Weirsdale: rural communities should verify franchise coverage, road conditions, turnaround space and separate commercial disposal procedures.

Belleview · Dunnellon · McIntosh · Reddick

Bulk and Move-Out Waste

• Use approved collection for furniture, mattresses, appliances and large items.
• Separate cardboard, construction debris, electronics and specialty waste.
• Do not block fire lanes, sidewalks, hydrants, ramps, gates or collection routes.
• Maintain hauling agreements, service receipts and corrective-action records.

Hazardous and Electronic Materials

Resident household waste and property-generated business waste require separate handling. Keep lithium-ion batteries, chemicals, solvents, fuel, pool products, paint and regulated materials out of ordinary waste streams.

Apartment maintenance and contractor activities may create commercial hazardous or universal waste obligations. Determine generator status and use an authorized receiving facility when required.

Inspections and Enforcement

Ocala may enforce applicable solid-waste collection, container, nuisance and access requirements under Chapter 54. Marion County may enforce applicable illegal dumping, litter, property maintenance and solid-waste provisions.

No universal fine should be assigned to every existing Ocala-area apartment property solely for lacking voluntary recycling collection. Enforcement depends on the actual governing requirement and proceeding.

Ocala Chapter 54 · Marion County Chapter 16 · Florida DEP