Syracuse apartment owners, property managers, and on-site teams: avoid avoidable code violations while giving residents the clean, convenient recycling access they expect. National Doorstep’s valet trash & recycling program is engineered around Onondaga County’s Source Separation Law and the City of Syracuse’s trash and recycling cart rules, so your community stays aligned with local expectations and out of the fine zone.
Onondaga County’s Source Separation Law (Local Law No. 12 of 1989, as amended) requires every household, business, apartment complex, and institution in the county to separate “county-designated recyclable materials” from trash and use appropriate containers and haulers. Within the City of Syracuse, residents must also follow the City’s cart setout rules for trash and recycling. Property owners and property managers that ignore these requirements can face $100 citations for cart violations and additional civil penalties for broader health and sanitation violations.
- Protect NOI & Asset Value: Reduce the risk of $100 per-household citations and sanitation penalties by designing your program around Syracuse’s cart rules and the county’s Source Separation Law.
- Resident-First Convenience: Doorstep collection that keeps residents out of cluttered enclosures, reduces trips to carts or dumpsters, and supports renewals and online reputation.
- Code-Smart Design: Container layouts, labeling, and service frequencies informed by Onondaga County’s required recycling practices and the City’s Trash and Recycling guidance.
- Hands-Off Compliance: We coordinate with haulers, support resident education, and help maintain documentation so your team can focus on leasing and operations.
At a Glance: City of Syracuse vs. Onondaga County & Other Municipalities
City of Syracuse (Inside City Limits)
- Mandate Type: Mandatory recycling & cart setout requirements for all households served by city sanitation.
- Applicability Threshold: Applies broadly to all residential properties (including apartments) receiving city trash and recycling service; no specific “8+ units” threshold.
- Property Manager Duties: Ensure residents have access to properly-sized city-issued trash and recycling carts; keep carts in good condition; maintain clean, accessible collection points; and prevent mixing trash with recyclables or placing prohibited items in carts.
- Resident Duties: Follow setout rules (correct day and time, lids closed, carts spaced properly), place only accepted recyclables in the recycling cart, do not bag recyclables, and keep trash, bulk, and yard waste streams separate.
- Enforcement & Fines: The Syracuse Department of Public Works (DPW) issues citations to property owners that do not follow trash and recycling cart setout requirements. Households that fail to correct a violation after a citation face a $100 fine, and serious sanitation violations can incur additional civil penalties.
- Key City Links: City of Syracuse – Trash and Recycling · Trash and Recycling Carts Program · DPW Citations for Cart Violations
Onondaga County & Other Cities / Towns
- Mandate Type: County-wide mandatory recycling under the Onondaga County Source Separation Law, implemented by OCRRA and local municipal codes.
- Applicability Threshold: Applies to all waste generators in the county – including apartment complexes and multi-building communities – regardless of unit count.
- Program Duties: Provide containers and service for county-designated recyclables; work with licensed haulers or OCRRA-partner facilities; keep recyclable materials separate from trash; and prevent contamination that could lead to rejection or additional fees.
- Hauler & Municipal Enforcement: Towns and villages (for example, the Town of Onondaga and the Village of East Syracuse) adopt and enforce the county Source Separation Law through their own solid-waste and container ordinances, including hauler licensing and penalties for improper handling of recyclables.
- Key County & OCRRA Links: OCRRA – Apartment Recycling (Onondaga County) · OCRRA – Recycling Overview · Onondaga County Source Separation Law (Local Law Portfolio)
Onondaga County Cities & Apartment Recycling Mandates
Onondaga County uses a county-wide Source Separation Law for recycling. The City of Syracuse adds its own trash and recycling cart rules and fine structure. Other cities, towns, and villages rely on the county law plus local solid-waste ordinances that regulate containers, haulers, and nuisances, but do not typically have a separate, apartment-specific recycling ordinance with a unit threshold.
| City / Town / Village | Apartment Recycling Mandate? | Notes for Property Managers |
|---|---|---|
| Syracuse | Yes – Mandatory recycling & cart setout enforcement |
All residential properties served by city sanitation, including apartments, must follow Onondaga County’s Source Separation Law and Syracuse’s Trash and Recycling rules. DPW issues citations to property owners that do not follow cart setout requirements; uncorrected violations carry a $100 fine per household, and serious sanitation issues can draw additional penalties. Property managers should monitor resident behavior at carts and coordinate with OCRRA drop-off sites as needed. Key local links: City of Syracuse – Trash & Recycling · OCRRA – Onondaga County Resource Recovery Agency |
| East Syracuse (Village) | County law adopted; no separate apartment threshold |
The Village’s solid-waste code explicitly references the Onondaga County Source Separation Law (Local Law No. 12 of 1989) and requires residents and haulers to comply. Apartment communities are treated as part of the overall solid-waste system, with haulers collecting trash and recyclable materials at the curb on scheduled days. Property managers should ensure residents use approved containers, follow setout rules, and keep areas free of accumulations of garbage or recyclables. Key local links: Village of East Syracuse – Official Site |
| Town of Onondaga | County law implemented through town code |
Town solid-waste ordinances regulate solid waste management facilities and licensed haulers. Haulers are prohibited from disposing of county-designated recyclables as solid waste and must comply with the Source Separation Law. While there is no special apartment-only recycling mandate, multifamily properties must work with compliant haulers and keep waste streams properly separated to avoid enforcement actions or service issues. Key local links: Town of Onondaga – Official Site |
| North Syracuse (Village) | County law + local garbage & recyclables code |
The Village code includes an article on garbage, refuse, rubbish, and recyclables, with sections on collection, placement, and penalties. Apartments are expected to follow container and setout rules for both trash and recyclables. Property managers should formalize internal policies to prevent accumulations, illegal dumping, and setout violations that could trigger local enforcement. Key local links: Village of North Syracuse – Official Site |
| Other Onondaga County Municipalities (Camillus, DeWitt, etc.) | Covered by county Source Separation Law |
Most towns and villages in Onondaga County implement the county Source Separation Law via their own solid-waste and property maintenance codes. Apartments are generally treated as part of the commercial or multifamily customer base for haulers. There is typically no separate apartment recycling ordinance with a unit threshold, but property managers are still expected to provide recycling access, prevent overflowing containers, and avoid nuisance conditions in enclosures. Key local links: OCRRA – Recycling Requirements |
Syracuse & Onondaga County Fines & Penalties Snapshot
- $100 Cart Violation Fine (City of Syracuse): The Syracuse Department of Public Works (DPW) may issue citations to property owners that do not follow trash and recycling cart setout requirements. Households that fail to correct a cited violation face a $100 fine after the citation period.
- Health & Sanitation Violations: More serious conditions – such as chronic overflow, improper storage of waste, or broader property conservation issues – may be handled through the City’s Property Conservation Code and Bureau of Administrative Adjudication, where additional civil penalties can be imposed.
- County-Level Enforcement (Onondaga County): The Onondaga County Source Separation Law authorizes the County (through OCRRA and participating municipalities) to enforce required recycling practices. Haulers and facilities that mishandle county-designated recyclables can face enforcement actions, and properties may experience service disruptions or added costs if they consistently send contaminated loads.
- Local Town & Village Penalties: Towns and villages (for example, East Syracuse, North Syracuse, and the Town of Onondaga) include penalty sections in their garbage and solid-waste ordinances. These typically authorize fines for violations such as improper setout, illegal dumping, or failure to follow local container rules—risk that ultimately lands on both residents and the property management team.
- Risk Management Tip: Build a paper trail: keep copies of hauler agreements, OCRRA guidance, service logs, resident notices, and photos of container areas. This documentation helps show good-faith compliance if a notice of violation or citation is issued.
Syracuse & Onondaga Multifamily Recycling Compliance Checklist
| Task | Action / Requirement | Helpful Links |
|---|---|---|
| ☑ Confirm Jurisdiction & Service Type | Verify whether your community is inside the City of Syracuse and receives city trash and recycling collection, or operates under a private hauler elsewhere in Onondaga County. In either case, the Source Separation Law requires that residents have access to recycling and keep recyclables separate from trash. | Syracuse – Trash & Recycling · OCRRA – Recycling |
| ☑ Provide Compliant Recycling Containers | Ensure residents have clearly labeled containers or carts for county-designated recyclables in locations that are as convenient as trash. For properties in Syracuse, use the city-issued carts and keep them in good condition; for properties using private haulers, confirm that containers meet both hauler and local code requirements. | Syracuse Trash & Recycling Carts · OCRRA – Apartment Recycling |
| ☑ Align with Source Separation Law | Review the Onondaga County Source Separation Law and OCRRA guidance so your on-site policies, signage, and vendor contracts reflect required recycling practices. Make sure your hauler is prepared to handle recyclables separately and deliver them to approved facilities. | Onondaga County Source Separation Law · OCRRA – Business / Multifamily Recycling |
| ☑ Resident Education & House Rules | Provide recurring education to residents at move-in and throughout the year: what can be recycled, where to place items, when carts or valet containers are collected, and what happens if guidelines are ignored. Use signage in mail rooms, elevators, leasing packets, and resident apps so every resident knows exactly how to participate. | OCRRA – “What Goes in Your Recycling Bin?” · Apartment Recycling Guidance |
| ☑ Monitor Setouts & Correct Violations Quickly | Have your maintenance or courtesy patrol teams routinely check carts and enclosures: look for contamination, overflowing containers, and improper setouts. In Syracuse, act quickly on any DPW notice of violation to avoid a $100 fine. Across the county, prompt correction protects you from local nuisance citations and complaints. | DPW – Cart Citation Announcement |
| ☑ Document Services & Communication | Maintain a simple compliance file: service schedules, hauler invoices, photos of container areas, copies of resident notices, and OCRRA resources. This shows that the property manager has taken reasonable steps to comply with Syracuse and Onondaga County recycling requirements. | OCRRA – Main Site · Syracuse Public Works (DPW) |
Want to get ahead of Syracuse citations and county enforcement? Request a Free Compliance Audit for your Syracuse / Onondaga County property. We’ll review your current setup, right-size containers and service, design a resident-friendly valet trash & recycling program, and prepare the inspector-ready documentation you need to show alignment with city and county requirements.
Interested in talking about how we can work together? Here's our contact info.
