Waste and Recycling

Frequently Asked Questions: Garbage Exemptions

Q: What types of Garbage Collection Exemptions does the City offer?
A: The City offers a Self-Haul Garbage Collection Exemption and a Secondary Structure Garbage
Collection Exemption.

Q: What qualifies for either type of Garbage Collection Exemption?
A: If a resident chooses not to use our Franchised Hauler, but rather wishes to self-haul their refuse to a permitted Transfer Station or a resident has a dumpster located on their property on a long-term basis.

A resident may also qualify for a Garbage Collection Exemption if there is a secondary structure on the property and the resident living in the secondary structure wishes to use the primary resident’s refuse service or dumpster. 

Q: What do I need to do in order to apply for Self-Haul Garbage Collection Exemption?
A: Fill out the Request for Garbage Collection Exemption form and include a brief letter stating the reason for the self-haul request.  Include a $60 deposit with your form and mail it to:  City of Elk Grove, Attn:  Integrated Waste Department, 8401 Laguna Palms Way, Elk Grove, CA  95758.  If you wish to pay by credit card or in person, please bring a copy of your garbage exemption form with you to the Cashier’s Office so that we can match your payment with your application.  You will also need to provide the latest two weeks of receipts from a permitted transfer station or solid waste facility, proving that you have disposed of your trash properly prior to requesting a self-haul exemption.

Q: Where are the local permitted Transfer Stations that will provide me with a receipt for proof of disposal?:

Transfer Station: Address: Phone:
Elder Creek Transfer Station 8642 Elder Creek Road, Sacramento 916-635-2500
Sacramento Recycling & Transfer Station 8491 Fruitridge Road, Sacramento 916-379-0500
Keifer Landfill 12701 Kiefer Blvd. Sloughhouse, CA 916-875-5555

Q: If approved, how do I remain in good standing with my Self-Haul Exemption?
A: After the initial deposit and two weeks of receipts are received by our office, you will need to provide weekly receipts to our office each quarter as proof that your trash has been disposed of weekly as is required by the State of CA.

Q: What happens if I do not provide weekly receipts each quarter?
A: If receipts are not received, Code Enforcement will begin to issue Administrative Citations in increments of $100, $200 and $500 for each violation. A violation may occur each day a resident is out of compliance.

Q: How long can I remain on a Garbage Collection Exemption?
A: You will need to reapply and re-qualify each year by filling out a Request for Garbage Collection Exemption form.    A $60 deposit is only required the first time that you apply for a self-haul garbage exemption.

Q: What are the requirements in order to qualify for a Secondary Structure Garbage Exemption?
A: Yes. The Legal property owner must reside on the property and the property must subscribe to the normal trash service level with Allied Waste Services.  The secondary structure must also be located on the same parcel as the primary structure, must be detached from the primary structure, must  have a permanent foundation, and must be less than 1,000 square feet in area.

Q: How do I apply for a Secondary Structure Garbage Collection Exemption?
A: Fill out the Request for Garbage Collection Form and provide a letter stating the circumstances of your request.  Send the completed form to City of Elk Grove, Attn:  Integrated Waste Department, 8401 Laguna Palms Way, Elk Grove, CA  95758

Q: Who may I contact if I have additional questions about Garbage Collection Exemptions?
A: You may call the Integrated Waste Department at (916) 478-2289.