Orlando and Orange 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 Orlando Multifamily & Commercial Recycling Ordinance and the Orange County Solid Waste Collection and Disposal Ordinance (including its commercial recycling program and regional system agreements) to reduce contamination and enhance NOI — all with a turnkey, inspector-friendly program.
Inside Orlando city limits, recycling service is mandatory for multifamily and commercial properties under City Code Chapter 28, Article III (“Recycling”) (as amended by Ordinance 2019-9). Multifamily properties with 4+ dwelling units must implement and maintain an on-site recycling program and submit a Recycling Program Verification Form to the City. In unincorporated Orange County, multifamily communities that receive commercial dumpster or front-load service are treated as “commercial generators” under Orange County Code Chapter 32, Article IV and must separate designated recyclable materials and make them available for recycling.
- NOI & Property Value Lift: Cleaner, code-aligned waste and recycling areas improve curb appeal, reduce overflow, and support higher resident retention.
- Resident Convenience & Cleanliness: Doorstep collection reduces cart room crowding, dumpster overflow, litter, and contamination — especially at peak move-in/move-out periods.
- Compliance Simplified: Program design that matches Orlando Chapter 28, Article III and the Orange County Chapter 32, Article IV commercial recycling program.
- Code-Backed Design: Inspector-friendly container layouts, signage, resident education, and documentation to help you avoid ongoing code-enforcement actions, surcharges, and daily fines.
At a Glance: City of Orlando vs Orange County (Plus Regional Tie-Ins)
City of Orlando
- Mandate Type: Mandatory Recycling for multifamily residential (4+ units) and commercial properties, with verification and recordkeeping requirements.
- Applicability Threshold (Multifamily): Applies to all multi-family residential premises with four (4) or more dwelling units located within Orlando city limits.
- Program Duties (Multifamily & Commercial):
- Provide an on-site recycling container (or containers) for designated recyclable materials.
- Select a recycling service provider or City service to collect those recyclables.
- Submit and keep current a Recycling Program Verification Form with container, hauler, and contact details.
- Maintain recycling records (e.g., service agreements, invoices) and make them available on request.
- Allow inspections by the City’s Solid Waste Division to verify compliance.
- Enforcement: Violations of Chapter 28 (solid waste and recycling) are enforced via the City’s code-enforcement process and general penalty provisions, with fines that can reach several hundred dollars per violation/day and, in serious cases, court-ordered penalties.
- Key City Links:
Commercial & Multifamily Recycling – Policy Overview
Submit Commercial or Multifamily Recycling Verification
City Code Ch. 28, Art. III – Recycling
Ordinance 2019-9 – Multifamily & Commercial Recycling (PDF)
City of Orlando Code of Ordinances (Municode)
Orange County (Unincorporated)
- Mandate Type: Mandatory Recycling for commercial generators (including multifamily communities on commercial service) under the Solid Waste Collection and Disposal Ordinance.
- Applicability Threshold (Multifamily): Applies to properties in unincorporated Orange County that:
- Are classified as commercial generators (non-single-family sites where waste originates), and
- Receive commercial dumpster or front-load service, including many apartments and mixed-use communities.
- Program Duties (Commercial Generators): Under Chapter 32, Article IV, commercial generators must:
- Separate designated recyclable materials from solid waste.
- Provide or arrange for recycling containers and collection service so that recyclables are captured.
- Ensure recyclables are delivered only to appropriate recycling/disposal facilities.
- Comply with franchise and licensing requirements for haulers.
- Enforcement & Surcharges: Loads delivered to County facilities that contain more than a “de minimis” amount of designated recyclables may be subject to surcharges. Violations of the solid waste ordinance can be taken to the Orange County Code Enforcement Board, which can impose civil fines on a per-day basis and record liens for unpaid penalties and costs.
- Key County & Regional Links:
Orange County Solid Waste Compliance – Commercial Generators
Save Landfill Space – County Recycling Overview
Orange County Code – Ch. 32, Art. IV – Solid Waste Collection & Disposal
Sec. 32-162 – Sale of Recyclable Materials & Scavenging
Orange County Code of Ordinances (Municode)
Fines & Penalties Snapshot
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City of Orlando – Multifamily & Commercial Recycling Non-Compliance:
Orlando’s multifamily and commercial recycling rules in Chapter 28, Article III are enforced using the City’s code-enforcement framework and general penalty provisions. In practice, cases typically move through:
• Civil code enforcement: notices of violation, orders to correct, and daily fines for continuing non-compliance, plus administrative costs and potential liens against the property.
• Municipal ordinance enforcement in court: for more serious or repeated violations, a court may impose monetary fines that can reach several hundred dollars per offense and, in rare cases, short jail terms where allowed by law.
Additionally, Orlando’s recycling rules prohibit unauthorized removal of recyclables from containers; individuals who “scavenge” materials can face specific fines under the City’s solid waste and recycling code. -
Orange County – Commercial Generator & Multifamily Recycling Non-Compliance:
Under Chapter 32, Article IV, commercial generators (including multifamily communities on commercial service) that fail to separate designated recyclable materials or violate solid waste rules may:
• Incur surcharges on loads delivered to County facilities when recyclables appear above “de minimis” levels;
• Be cited under the County’s solid waste ordinance and referred to the Code Enforcement Board or a Special Magistrate; and
• Face civil fines assessed on a per-day basis for continuing violations, as well as recorded liens for unpaid fines and costs.
Florida’s local code-enforcement framework authorizes boards and magistrates to levy civil penalties that can reach substantial daily amounts for ongoing, repeat non-compliance — making it important for property owners to respond quickly to any notices. -
Regional System & Interlocal Arrangements:
Orlando and Orange County operate under a regional solid waste and recycling system, with interlocal agreements that route City waste to County disposal facilities and align long-term recycling goals. For apartment owners, this means:
• City properties must satisfy Orlando’s multifamily/commercial recycling and verification requirements, even though material may flow through County facilities; and
• Properties in unincorporated Orange County must satisfy County commercial generator recycling rules, surcharges, and code-enforcement procedures.
Maintaining good documentation and quickly addressing any contamination or access issues is the best way to avoid daily fines or surcharges across the system. - Tip: By maintaining service contracts, recycling container maps, resident education records, and photos of clean, well-signed recycling areas, you give inspectors a clear, documented story of good-faith compliance — which is the best way to avoid daily penalties.
Property Manager Compliance Checklist (Orlando & Orange County Multifamily)
| Task | Action / Requirement | Authoritative Links |
|---|---|---|
| ☑ Confirm Jurisdiction & Ordinances |
Determine whether your community is located:
• Inside the City of Orlando: Multifamily (4+ dwelling units) and commercial buildings follow City Code Ch. 28, Art. III and Ordinance 2019-9, including the recycling verification requirement. • In unincorporated Orange County: Multifamily communities on commercial service are treated as commercial generators under Ch. 32, Art. IV and must separate designated recyclables. • Within another Orange County municipality: Check local code and service contracts; many cities coordinate with the County’s solid waste system and can reference County standards for recycling. |
Orlando Ch. 28, Art. III – Recycling Ordinance 2019-9 – Multifamily & Commercial Recycling (PDF) Orange County Ch. 32, Art. IV – Solid Waste Solid Waste Compliance Overview |
| ☑ Subscribe to Required Recycling Service |
Ensure your property has active, documented service for both trash and recycling:
• If inside Orlando, choose a recycling provider (or City service) that can support the materials required under the City’s ordinance, and make sure the account reflects your actual resident count and building mix. • If in unincorporated Orange County, confirm you’re using an appropriately licensed hauler and that your service level meets the County’s commercial generator expectations. • Keep copies of all service agreements, invoices, and route information where they can be quickly shared with inspectors. |
Orlando Commercial & Multifamily Recycling Recycling Verification Form Portal Orange County Solid Waste Compliance |
| ☑ Containers, Corral Layout & Signage |
Provide clearly labeled recycling containers in convenient, safe locations for residents:
• Size containers and pickup frequency so recycling doesn’t overflow between collections. • Keep recycling containers physically distinct from trash containers where possible to cut contamination. • Post durable signage at enclosures, cart rooms, and chutes explaining what residents can and cannot place in recycling. • Confirm hauler access (clear drive aisles, gate codes, heights) so trucks can safely reach enclosures without missed pickups. |
Orlando Container & Setup Guidance Orange County Recycling Overview County Solid Waste Ordinance |
| ☑ Resident Education & Communication |
Build a simple resident education plan that shows you’re actively supporting the ordinance:
• Provide written recycling instructions to residents at move-in, and refresh them regularly (for example, once or twice per year, and during peak move-in/move-out seasons). • Use door hangers, email blasts, resident portal messages, and community signage so residents know where to take recycling and how to prep it. • Translate or simplify instructions as needed for your resident mix to minimize contamination and overflows. • Keep copies of all outreach materials (PDFs, screenshots, printouts) with dates sent as part of your compliance file. |
Orlando – Education & Support Orange County – Waste Generators & Recycling Multifamily Recycling Guide (PDF) |
| ☑ Documentation & Avoiding Daily Fines |
Create an “inspection-ready” binder (digital or physical) for your community:
• Current trash and recycling service agreements, invoices, and route maps. • Copy of your Orlando Recycling Program Verification Form (if inside city limits) and any supporting documentation. • Photos of container areas showing signage, cleanliness, and clear separation of trash vs recycling. • Log of contamination or overflow issues and the corrective actions you took (extra pickups, education, enclosure adjustments). Respond early to any City or County notice of violation — correcting issues and documenting changes is the best way to prevent daily fines or surcharges. |
Verification Form & Instructions Orange County Ch. 32, Art. IV – Enforcement Framework Solid Waste Compliance – Contact & FAQs |
| ☑ Turn Compliance into a Leasing Asset |
Use your recycling program as a differentiator in the Orlando market:
• Highlight your valet trash & recycling service, clean enclosures, and recycling education in marketing tours and online listings. • Track diversion wins (cardboard, bottles, cans) and share them in resident newsletters and social posts. • Position your community’s recycling performance as part of a broader sustainability and quality-of-life story for current and prospective residents. |
City of Orlando – Zero Waste & Recycling Save Landfill Space – County Recycling Story |
Need a fast compliance check in Orlando or Orange County? Request a Free Compliance Audit for your Orlando or Orange County property — we’ll right-size your containers, draft resident education, and prepare inspection-ready documentation so you can avoid fines and complaints while boosting resident satisfaction.
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