Tallahassee and Leon 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 Tallahassee Solid Waste Collection and Disposal Code (Chapter 21, Article XI) and Leon County’s solid waste and recycling framework to reduce contamination, protect NOI, and keep your community inspector-friendly.
Inside the City of Tallahassee, multifamily communities are covered by Section 21-487 (“Residential waste and recovered materials”), which defines how residents in multifamily residential establishments must use city-provided recycling containers and recycling centers. Violations of this article are enforceable under Section 21-515 (“Violation and Enforcement”), with specific fines of $250 for a first violation and $500 for each subsequent violation, and with potential suspension of collection service under Section 21-494 for chronic non-compliance. In unincorporated Leon County, multifamily communities participate in county-run solid waste and recycling programs backed by Chapter 18, Article V (Solid Waste) and a mandatory commercial and multifamily recycling ordinance documented by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.
- NOI & Property Value Lift: Cleaner, code-aligned waste and recycling areas improve curb appeal, reduce overflow, and support higher resident retention in both City of Tallahassee and unincorporated Leon County.
- Resident Convenience & Cleanliness: Doorstep collection reduces cart room crowding, dumpster overflow, litter, and contamination — especially at student-heavy properties and during peak move-in/move-out seasons.
- Compliance Simplified: Program design matches City of Tallahassee Chapter 21, Article XI (including §21-487, §21-494, and §21-515) and Leon County’s solid waste and recycling expectations under Chapter 18, Article V and state law.
- Code-Backed Design: Inspector-friendly container layouts, signage, resident education, and documentation help you avoid daily fines, liens, or suspension of solid waste service.
At a Glance: City of Tallahassee vs Leon County (Plus Interlocal Solid Waste Agreements)
City of Tallahassee
- Mandate Type: Mandatory Recycling framework for residential waste and recovered materials, including multifamily residential establishments, under Chapter 21, Article XI and Ordinance 11-O-02AA.
- Applicability Threshold: Multifamily residential establishments are defined in the ordinance; owners of multifamily complexes with five or more units must furnish appropriate refuse containers (forktainer or compactor). Residents in multifamily properties are expected to use city-issued recycling containers or centralized recycling centers for recovered materials.
- Duties:
- Owners must provide approved refuse containers sized for the community and maintain safe, accessible collection areas.
- The City provides recovered-materials containers (individual carts or centralized roll-off “recycling centers”) for multifamily residential establishments.
- Residents must place recyclables in the proper containers and set them out according to City rules, or take them to the on-site recycling center.
- Improper commingling of materials and misuse of containers can trigger service issues and enforcement.
- Enforcement:
- Sec. 21-515 – Violation and Enforcement: It is a violation to fail to comply with the article. Fines are $250 for the first violation and $500 for each subsequent violation.
- Sec. 21-494 – Suspension of Service: The director may suspend all collection services for properties not complying, with right of appeal to the city manager.
- Supplemental enforcement through the City’s general penalty and code enforcement provisions can escalate repeat issues.
- Key City Links:
City of Tallahassee Code – Chapter 21 (Utilities)
Ordinance 11-O-02AA – Solid Waste Collection & Disposal (PDF)
Article XI – Solid Waste Collection & Disposal (eLaws)
City of Tallahassee Waste Management Services
Leon County (Unincorporated)
- Mandate Type: Mandatory Commercial & Multifamily Recycling framework referenced in Florida DEP’s statewide recycling report, implemented through Leon County Code Chapter 18, Article V (Solid Waste), county programs, and franchise agreements.
- Applicability Threshold (Multifamily): Applies broadly to commercial and multifamily generators in unincorporated Leon County that use county-authorized haulers or facilities. Specific unit-count thresholds are not clearly enumerated in the online code text; instead, expectations are set through county service guidelines and hauler contracts.
- Program Duties (Multifamily & Commercial):
- Subscribe to appropriate garbage and recycling service through authorized providers (e.g., Waste Pro for county curbside service or other permitted haulers).
- Provide adequate on-site recycling containers and maintain separation of recyclables from garbage to prevent contamination and litter.
- Follow county “How Do I Recycle?” guidelines for accepted materials and preparation.
- Ensure residents have clear instructions and convenient access to recycling areas.
- Enforcement:
- Solid waste violations are enforced under Chapter 18 and through the Leon County Code Enforcement Board, operating under Florida Statutes Chapter 162.
- The Code Enforcement Board may impose civil fines that typically scale up to $250 per day for a first violation and $500 per day for a repeat violation, with liens placed on property for unpaid fines.
- County programs emphasize cooperation and education first, but unresolved violations can escalate to daily fines and recorded liens.
- Interlocal & Program Links:
Leon County Code – Chapter 18, Article V (Solid Waste)
Leon County – How Do I Recycle?
Leon County Solid Waste Management
Florida DEP – 75% Recycling Goal Report Appendices (includes Leon County)
First Amendment to Solid Waste Agreement (City–County Interlocal) (PDF)
Fines & Penalties Snapshot
-
City of Tallahassee – Solid Waste & Recycling Non-Compliance:
Under Sec. 21-515 (“Violation and Enforcement”), failure to comply with Article XI (including multifamily recycling requirements) is a violation of the City Code. Penalties include:
• $250 fine for the first violation, and
• $500 fine for each subsequent violation,
with additional enforcement available under general City penalty provisions.
In tandem, Sec. 21-494 authorizes the City’s director to suspend all collection services to properties that do not comply with the article. For a multifamily community, that means trash and recycling collection can be halted until violations are corrected — a major risk for operations, reputation, and resident satisfaction. -
Leon County – Multifamily & Commercial Recycling Non-Compliance:
Leon County’s solid waste and recycling expectations are enforced through the Leon County Code Enforcement Board and Florida Statutes Chapter 162. According to County Code Enforcement Board guidance:
• For a first violation, the Board may impose fines of up to $250 per day, per violation for each day beyond the compliance date; and
• For a repeat violation, fines can increase to up to $500 per day, per violation,
with liens recorded against the property for unpaid fines and costs.
While Leon County’s online code does not print a stand-alone “multifamily recycling fine table,” the combination of its mandatory commercial and multifamily recycling ordinance, solid waste regulations, and Code Enforcement Board authority means a multifamily property that repeatedly ignores county recycling expectations can accrue significant daily penalties plus recorded liens. -
City–County Interlocal Solid Waste Agreement:
The City of Tallahassee and Leon County operate under an interlocal Solid Waste Agreement (with later amendments) that coordinates transfer station operations and cost-sharing. This agreement does not waive City multifamily recycling rules or County enforcement authority — instead, it ensures both governments are aligned on how solid waste and recycling flows through the regional system. - Tip for managers: A clean, well-documented program (service contracts, photos, resident education logs, and recycling site maps) often makes the difference between a quick correction and a long-running code case with daily fines.
Property Manager Compliance Checklist (Tallahassee & Leon County Multifamily)
| Task | Action / Requirement | Authoritative Links |
|---|---|---|
| ☑ Confirm Jurisdiction & Rules |
Determine how your community is regulated:
• Inside City of Tallahassee: Multifamily communities are governed by Chapter 21, Article XI (Solid Waste Collection & Disposal), including §21-487 (residential waste and recovered materials) and §21-515 (violations and fines). • In unincorporated Leon County: Solid waste and recycling are governed by Chapter 18, Article V and implemented through County programs, hauler contracts, and a mandatory commercial & multifamily recycling ordinance referenced by Florida DEP. • Property spans city/county boundaries or multiple assets: Apply the strictest combination of rules, and maintain separate documentation folders for each jurisdiction. |
Tallahassee Code – Chapter 21 Article XI – Solid Waste Collection & Disposal Leon County Code – Chapter 18, Article V Florida DEP – County Recycling Summary (Leon) |
| ☑ Subscribe to Required Trash & Recycling Service |
Ensure your property has active, documented service for both trash and recycling:
• City of Tallahassee: Coordinate service through the City utility. Waste Management provides garbage, bulky items, yard waste, and recycling services for residential and commercial customers within city limits. Verify that your multifamily account includes recycling service and adequate container capacity. • Unincorporated Leon County: Residents may subscribe to curbside collection through Waste Pro; multifamily communities and commercial generators may also use county-approved haulers and the Solid Waste Management Facility. • Keep copies of all service agreements and route sheets, and confirm that recyclable materials handled at your property match local “How Do I Recycle?” guidelines. |
City of Tallahassee – Waste Management Services Leon County Solid Waste Management Leon County – How Do I Recycle? Rural Waste Service Centers |
| ☑ Containers, Corral Layout & Signage |
Provide clearly labeled recycling containers in convenient, safe locations for residents:
• Design enclosures and cart rooms so that recycling containers are easy to reach and visually distinct from trash containers. • Right-size container volume and pickup frequency to prevent overflow, illegal dumping, and windblown litter. • Post permanent signage at all collection points showing which materials residents can and cannot place in recycling, aligned with City or County guidelines. • Maintain clear access for haulers (drive aisles, gate codes, loading zones) to avoid missed service and contamination. |
Ordinance 11-O-02AA – Container & Service Provisions Leon County – Recycling Guidelines Leon County – Waste Reduction & Recycling Resources |
| ☑ Resident Education & Communication |
Build a simple communication plan that proves you are actively educating residents:
• Provide written recycling instructions at move-in, and refresh messaging at least once or twice per year (welcome letters, email campaigns, portal posts, or door hangers). • Use easy language: where to place bags, which items must be bagged vs. left loose, and how residents should use any central recycling center on the property. • Address common contamination issues directly (bagged recyclables, plastic bags, food waste in recycling, bulk item dumping). • Keep copies (PDFs, screenshots, photos) of all resident-facing materials in your compliance file. |
Leon County – How Do I Recycle? City Solid Waste – Resident Information Florida DEP – Waste Reduction & Recycling |
| ☑ Documentation & Avoiding Daily Fines |
Create an “inspection-ready” binder (digital or physical) for your community:
• Current trash and recycling service agreements, invoices, and service maps. • Notes on container sizes, locations, and collection frequency for each building or phase. • Photos of waste and recycling areas showing cleanliness, signage, and labels. • Copies of all resident recycling communications (emails, letters, flyers, portal posts) with dates. • Records of any warnings or notices from inspectors, plus corrective actions taken. This documentation helps demonstrate good-faith compliance and can reduce the risk or duration of fines under Sec. 21-515 (City) or daily Code Enforcement Board penalties (County). |
Leon County Code Enforcement Board FAQ (Fines & Liens) Tallahassee Article XI – Solid Waste Florida Statutes – Chapter 162 (Code Enforcement) |
| ☑ Turn Compliance into a Leasing Advantage |
Use recycling compliance as a marketing and retention tool:
• Highlight your National Doorstep valet trash & recycling program in tours, ILS listings, and renewal campaigns. • Emphasize that the community is aligned with City of Tallahassee and Leon County recycling rules and that residents enjoy clean, convenient doorstep service. • Track reduced contamination, fewer overflow incidents, and improved curb appeal as KPIs you can share with owners and asset managers. |
National Doorstep – Valet Trash & Recycling Florida 75% Recycling Goal – Background (PDF) |
Need a fast compliance check in Tallahassee or Leon County? Request a Free Compliance Audit for your Tallahassee or Leon County property — we’ll review your waste and recycling setup, right-size your containers, draft resident education in plain-language “resident” terms, and prepare inspection-ready documentation so you can avoid $250 / $500 violations and daily County fines.
Interested in talking about how we can work together? Here's our contact info.
