Philadelphia apartment property managers, asset managers, and on-site teams: avoid avoidable citations under The Philadelphia Code, Chapter 10-700 (Refuse and Littering) while giving residents the clean, modern valet trash & recycling amenity they expect. National Doorstep’s valet trash & recycling program is engineered around § 10-717 (Collection of Municipal Waste and Recyclable Materials) and § 10-724 (Waste Management and Recycling Requirements for Certain Regulated Premises), so your building-wide program stays aligned with the City’s mandatory recycling and planning requirements for Regulated Premises.
Within the consolidated City and County of Philadelphia, any Regulated Premises (including multi-unit residential buildings with more than six dwelling units) must provide an on-premises diversion program, maintain a written Solid Waste and Recycling Plan, contract for removal of recyclables when not eligible for City collection, and provide ongoing resident education and signage under § 10-717 and § 10-724. Buildings with six units or fewer may qualify for regular City trash and recycling collection, but larger apartment communities are treated like commercial accounts and must rely on private haulers while still meeting the City’s recycling and documentation standards.
- Protect NOI & Asset Value: Reduce exposure to per-violation fines under Chapter 10-700 plus higher penalties for dumping and nuisance conditions by aligning your on-site program with Philadelphia’s mandatory recycling and planning rules.
- Resident-First Convenience: Doorstep collection that keeps residents out of cluttered trash rooms and alleys, reduces trips to shared dumpsters, and supports renewals and online reputation in a highly competitive rental market.
- Code-Smart Design: Container layouts, signage, and service frequencies built around Regulated Premises diversion, signage, and occupant-education requirements so you’re ready when inspectors or lenders ask for your plan.
- Hands-Off Compliance: We coordinate haulers, resident education, and documentation (including Solid Waste and Recycling Plans) so your team can focus on leasing, renewals, and day-to-day operations.
At a Glance: City of Philadelphia vs. Philadelphia County
City of Philadelphia (City & County)
- Mandate Type: Mandatory recycling / source separation and written waste & recycling plan for Regulated Premises.
- Applicability Threshold: Regulated Premises include multi-unit residential buildings where a property manager or owner arranges collective removal of waste and recyclables; exclusively residential buildings with six or fewer dwelling units are excluded from Regulated Premises but still follow City set-out rules.
- Property Manager Duties: Provide an on-premises diversion program with clearly marked containers for waste and recyclables; arrange City or private collection; maintain a Solid Waste and Recycling Plan; post the plan; and keep trash and recycling areas orderly and accessible to residents.
- Program Duties: Provide annual and new-resident education on what and how to recycle; update and file the plan within 30 days of changes; and ensure container signage includes the recycling symbol, “Recycling,” and a list of accepted materials.
- Key City Links: The Philadelphia Code – Chapter 10-700 (Refuse and Littering) · § 10-724 – Waste Management & Recycling for Regulated Premises · Municipal Waste Management Plan 2019–2028 · Residential Trash & Recycling Rules (≤ 6 units) · Commercial & Multi-Unit Trash & Recycling
Philadelphia County (No Separate County Ordinance)
- Mandate Type: No independent county-wide recycling ordinance. The City of Philadelphia’s code and plans apply throughout Philadelphia County.
- Applicability Threshold: There are no separate county thresholds—multifamily and mixed-use properties follow the same Chapter 10-700 and § 10-724 rules as the rest of the city.
- Program Duties: Property managers must ensure adequate trash and recycling service, maintain plans and signage, and prevent overflow, dumping, and nuisance conditions, regardless of which hauler is used.
- Risk Profile: Even when collection is fully privatized, properties can be cited for improper set-outs, missing plans, overflowing containers, and short dumping.
- How National Doorstep Helps: We design valet trash & recycling programs for Philadelphia’s dense, multi-unit housing stock—tying together private haulers, plan documentation, and resident-friendly collection points so your communities are “inspection ready” across the city.
Philadelphia County & Apartment Recycling Mandates
Philadelphia County is coterminous with the City of Philadelphia, so there is only one municipality and one primary recycling framework for multifamily housing. Under Chapter 10-700 and the 2019–2028 Municipal Waste Management Plan, the City operates a mandatory recycling program that applies to both residences and commercial properties, including multi-family buildings managed as Regulated Premises.
| City | Apartment Recycling Mandate? | Notes for Property Managers |
|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia (City & County) | Yes – Mandatory recycling & written plan for Regulated Premises |
Multi-unit properties that are Regulated Premises (including residential buildings where a property manager arranges collective waste removal and that have more than six units) must:
– Provide an on-site diversion program with separate, clearly marked containers for recyclables and waste. – Maintain and file a Solid Waste and Recycling Plan with the City and post it in a public area. – Contract with private haulers for waste and recyclables if not eligible for City collection. – Provide ongoing resident education and signage about recycling materials, locations, and procedures. – Follow City set-out rules and keep trash and recycling areas free of litter and overflow. Non-compliance with Chapter 10-700 requirements can trigger per-violation fines, with higher penalties for short dumping and dumpster misuse. Key local links: City of Philadelphia – Official Site |
Philadelphia Fines & Penalties Snapshot
- Chapter 10-700 Penalties: For most violations of Chapter 10-700 (Refuse and Littering), including failures tied to waste and recycling requirements, the standard penalty range is a minimum fine of $100 and up to $300 per violation, with some specific sections (like certain littering offenses) carrying $300 fines.
- Each Violation, Each Day: When conditions persist—such as failing to maintain a required diversion program, ignoring notices of violation, or allowing chronic litter and overflow—each day can be treated as a separate offense, increasing total exposure.
- Short Dumping & Dumping Offenses: Violations of § 10-710 (Dumping of Debris and Short Dumping) carry significantly higher fines (up to several thousand dollars) and may include vehicle seizure, cleanup orders, and other equitable remedies.
- Dumpster & Receptacle Issues: Misuse of dumpsters, placing household waste in public receptacles, or failing to maintain private receptacles can trigger specific fines and repeat inspections.
- Risk Management Tip: Build a compliance file: keep copies of Solid Waste and Recycling Plans, hauler contracts, service logs, resident education materials, and photos of container areas. This supports a good-faith compliance story if an inspector or court reviews your site.
Philadelphia Multifamily Recycling Compliance Checklist
| Task | Action / Requirement | Helpful Links |
|---|---|---|
| ☑ Confirm Building Type & Eligibility | Verify whether your property is a Regulated Premises under Chapter 10-700 and whether it is eligible for City collection. Exclusively residential buildings with six or fewer units may receive City curbside trash and recycling; larger or more complex buildings generally must use private haulers while still meeting City recycling and plan requirements. | Chapter 10-700 – Refuse & Littering · Residential Trash & Recycling Rules |
| ☑ Engage Appropriate Haulers | For buildings not served by City collection, confirm that your trash and recycling vendors are properly authorized to operate in Philadelphia and that your contracts include both waste and recycling service. Ensure haulers understand your diversion goals and container layout. | Commercial & Multi-Unit Trash & Recycling |
| ☑ Provide a Diversion Program On-Site | Set up an on-premises diversion program with convenient containers for recyclables located near trash containers, in secure, well-lit areas. Containers used for multi-resident collection must be clearly labeled “Waste” or “Recycling” and include the recycling symbol and list of accepted materials. | § 10-724 – Regulated Premises Requirements |
| ☑ Create & Maintain a Solid Waste & Recycling Plan | Prepare a written Solid Waste and Recycling Plan on the City’s prescribed form: list materials to be recycled, describe your collection methods, and identify all haulers. File the plan with the City, post it in a public area, and update it within 30 days of any change in services or haulers. | Commercial Waste & Recycling Plan Guidance |
| ☑ Resident Education & Signage | Provide waste and recycling instructions to residents annually, to every new resident within 30 days of move-in, and whenever services change. Use signs at trash rooms, mail areas, elevators, and digital channels so residents know what to recycle, where to take it, and how valet collection works. | Trash & Recycling Resources for Properties |
| ☑ Document Service & Inspections | Maintain a central compliance file with service logs, contamination notes, photos of container areas, hauler invoices, and copies of resident communications. This record helps you respond quickly to complaints, defend against violations, and communicate with owners, lenders, and insurers. | Municipal Waste Management Plan 2019–2028 |
Want to stay ahead of Chapter 10-700 inspections? Request a Free Compliance Audit for your Philadelphia property. We’ll review your current setup, align containers and service with Regulated Premises requirements, design a resident-friendly valet trash & recycling program, and prepare the inspector-ready documentation you need to show alignment with The Philadelphia Code.
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