Default rule and exceptions
Chicago's Department of Streets and Sanitation does bulk pick-up for the homes it collects garbage from (single-family homes and buildings of four units or less). You must arrange it with your ward's Streets and Sanitation office before putting a large item out, or you can be ticketed. Larger buildings use private garbage collection.
| Party | What they are responsible for |
|---|---|
| City / Streets and Sanitation (ward office) | Picks up bulk items for city-serviced homes once the resident arranges it with the ward superintendent or ward Sanitation office. |
| Resident / owner | Contact the ward Sanitation office before setting out a large item; remove doors or lids from discarded refrigerators and freezers. Buildings of five or more units arrange private collection. |
| Exceptions | Buildings of more than four units are not on city garbage collection and must arrange private collection.; Setting out a bulk item before arranging the pickup can bring a ticket. |
What the source says
Last verified against the primary source on Oct 24, 2026.
arrange with your Streets and Sanitation ward superintendent for a bulk pick-up before putting out any large item or extra load of trash
In the event that you have bulk items that need to be picked up, contact the Sanitation Office BEFORE putting the items out to prevent a ticket being issued.
single-family homes or apartment buildings of four units or less (others must arrange for private garbage collection)
City rules rest on state law. Read Illinois's sidewalk statute, quoted verbatim, or see all 50 states in one table.
Common questions
Who pays for bulk trash / junk removal in Chicago, IL?
The city / utility. Picks up bulk items for city-serviced homes once the resident arranges it with the ward superintendent or ward Sanitation office.
Are there exceptions in Chicago, IL?
Buildings of more than four units are not on city garbage collection and must arrange private collection.; Setting out a bulk item before arranging the pickup can bring a ticket.
What is this based on for Chicago, IL?
This verdict is sourced to Sanitation Code Violation | Streets and Sanitation and 3 sources in total, each independently re-checked before publication.
Sources
- Sanitation Code Violation | Streets and Sanitationofficial-guide · verified-primary · accessed 2026-10-24
- 18th Ward Streets and Sanitation Officeofficial-guide · verified-primary · accessed 2026-10-24
- Residential Garbage Collection | Streets and Sanitationofficial-guide · verified-primary · accessed 2026-10-24
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