National Doorstep Valet Trash 844-APT-TRASH

Fines & Penalties Snapshot – West Palm Beach & Palm Beach County Multifamily

• Palm Beach County (SWA) – Multifamily Recycling Non-Participation:
  SWA clearly states that recycling is not mandatory for apartment and condominium communities. As a result, there is currently no dedicated fine schedule that penalizes a community simply for not offering resident recycling. The primary risks at the county level are:
  • General solid waste violations (e.g., illegal dumping, overflowing or uncovered trash containers).
  • Contamination issues that may prompt additional service fees or warnings from the hauler.
  • Community reputation and resident expectations if recycling is not available.
  Helpful Links:
  SWA Multifamily Recycling Form · SWA Recycling Overview


• City of West Palm Beach – Solid Waste & Recycling Violations:
  West Palm Beach’s solid waste code (Chapter 74) requires residents and properties to handle refuse and recyclables properly, including source-separation of recyclable material. While there is no explicit fine in the code for an apartment community that does not offer resident recycling, the City may:
  • Issue warnings or citations for improper disposal or nuisance conditions in waste and recycling areas;
  • Use general code enforcement tools (civil fines, potential liens) if chronic violations persist;
  • Treat each day a violation continues as a separate offense under citywide penalty provisions.
  Authoritative Links:
  West Palm Beach Code of Ordinances – Chapter 74 Solid Waste


• Boca Raton & Boynton Beach – Service Violations vs. Recycling Mandate:
  Both Boca Raton and Boynton Beach publish clear guidance on how garbage and recycling should be set out. They may charge fees or issue violations for:
  • Placing trash out before the scheduled pickup day;
  • Mixed debris piles that combine vegetation, construction debris, and other materials;
  • Setting out unaccepted materials or creating nuisance piles.
  However, neither city currently administers a separate fine schedule aimed specifically at multifamily communities that choose not to provide resident recycling service.
  Representative Links:
  Boca Raton Sanitation Brochure (PDF) · Boynton Beach Garbage & Recycling


• Other Palm Beach County Municipalities:
  Cities such as Delray Beach, Jupiter, Palm Beach Gardens, Lake Worth Beach, Greenacres, Riviera Beach, Royal Palm Beach and others rely on SWA or contracted haulers for recycling service. Local codes typically focus on:
  • Proper set-out times and container placement;
  • Prohibiting litter, overflow, and illegal dumping;
  • General property maintenance standards.
  We did not identify any municipal ordinance that adds a separate, unit-based fine structure for failing to offer resident recycling at multifamily communities.


• Practical takeaway: While there is no targeted “multifamily recycling” fine schedule today, chronic problems with trash, bulk items, and contamination can still drive code enforcement cases, special fees, and reputational damage. A well-managed resident recycling and valet trash program lowers those risks and positions your property ahead of potential future mandates.