06/30/2026
Important Notice – Refuse Collection Changes Effective July 1, 2026
Beginning July 1, 2026, several changes to the City of Portsmouth's Refuse Collection Ordinance will take effect. These updates include:
Appointment-based bulk collection
City-issued 95-gallon refuse container per household
Updated yard waste requirements
New container placement and retrieval requirements
Updated enforcement procedures and penalties
Residents are encouraged to review the new requirements before their next collection day.
Please note: The detailed information below is being updated to reflect these ordinance changes. In the meantime, refer to the City's Refuse Collection Changes graphic for the most current requirements or contact Waste Management at 757-393-8629 with any questions.
Bulk pick-up occurs on the resident's normal trash day. Residents must schedule all bulk item pick-ups, which exclude storm debris, appliances, and other household items. There are no additional fees for bulk pick-up.
To allow for scheduling, make your scheduled bulk request no earlier than 36 hours before your normal waste pick-up day and no later than noon the day before your normal waste day. Bulk refuse must be placed in front of your home. Bulk refuse should not be placed at the curb before 5 pm the day before your regular collection and no later than 7 am the day of collection.
Bulk refuse should not be placed within 3 feet of parked cars, mailboxes, fences, fire hydrants, or poles, not on top of water meters, cable boxes, etc., and not blocked by anything at curbside. Ensure that bulk is not placed underneath any power lines, tree limbs, or alleys.
For Mattress/box spring collection, the item must comply with the 3-foot perimeter requirements listed above and lie flat at the curbside with nothing on top. It must also not be on top of water meters.
Bulk refuse piles shall be no greater than 8 feet by 10 feet by 8 feet in height. Items that will not be picked up include but are not limited to, debris generated by contractors, hazardous materials such as paint, oil, or other liquids, and automobile parts.
Tree parts cannot be greater than 18-inch in diameter.
Please do not mix wood with other bulk items when placed out at the curb. Wood needs to be put out in a separate pile for collection.
The city will not collect items inside contractor bags. Those bags include instructions on how to be collected by a private company affiliated with the bag you purchased.
Glass should be taped up when placed for collection or on a pallet. Broken glass is the homeowner's responsibility.
Tires must be placed curbside, off the rim, no later than 7 am the day of collection. A maximum of 4 tires a year will be collected per household. There is a $5 charge per tire for each additional tire after that.
Please call to schedule a pickup no later than the day before your collection day. Commercial truck tires will not be collected.
Basketball Goals and ride-on toys like bikes, scooters, skateboards, etc. You must have an emailed request for disposal to be picked up on your collection day. Please call 757-393-8629 for email information.
Move-out or Move-in collections must be scheduled 24 hours in advance.
