What Every Truckee Resident Should Know

Truckee’s Title 6 Health & Sanitation rules, TTSD pickup guidelines, bear box installation requirements, approved bear box models, collection schedule, and official PDF resources.

  • Introduction

    Trash collection, recycling, and wildlife safety are tightly regulated in Truckee. Whether you live here full-time, own a vacation property, or manage short-term rentals (STRs), this page outlines everything: the Town’s code, what a bear box must look like, where to put it, approved bear box models, trash pickup rules, and how to stay compliant.

  • Frequently Asked Questions

    1. Do I need a bear box?  If you are a Short-Term Rental (STR), yes. Installation of a bear box is required for all STRs. Town of Truckee. For other residences, bear boxes are allowed (Residential customers may choose to store their solid waste containers in a bear box) but must meet the code. Town of Truckee 
    2. What specs must a bear box meet?  Must be made of metal, stone, brick, concrete or equivalently sturdy material; have a front-facing door; fit two 32-gallon cans; have a roof with side or back snow shedding; and have plunging pins securing the top and bottom locking mechanism. Town of Truckee 
    3. Where can I place a bear box?  On private property, out of the Town right-of-way; within (28) feet of the edge of the roadway. If located farther, extra fees or special servicing arrangements apply. Town of Truckee 
    4. What if my property is a short-term rental?  Must have two 32-gallon cans, subscribe to two-can trash service, post trash storage instructions, and install a bear box per the STR ordinance. Town of Truckee 
    5. How do I pick my collection day, or report a missed pickup?  Contact Tahoe Truckee Sierra Disposal (TTSD) at (530) 583-7800.
    6. What happens in winter / snow conditions?  The path to the bear box must be cleared of snow or ice. A clear, unobstructed direct path at least 36” wide to the bear box must be cleared of snow, including removal of roadside snow berm. Doors must open fully; clear snow away from front door. Town of Truckee

  • Bear Box Installation Guide (Standards and Placement) 

    From the Bear Box Installation Guide (Town of Truckee / KeepTruckeeGreen): 


    • Town of Truckee’s Short-Term Rental Ordinance requires all Short-Term Rental properties (STRs) to install a bear box, subscribe to two-can trash service and post trash storage instructions for renters. To protect wildlife, trash must always be properly secured in a bear box. Town of Truckee 
    • Construction & materials: Be constructed of metal, stone, brick, concrete, or equivalently sturdy material. Town of Truckee 
    • Door & snow considerations: Shed snow away from the front door. Utilize a front-facing door that opens above accumulated snow or ice.” Town of Truckee 
    • Capacity & security: Fit two, 32-gallon trash cans. Lock with top and bottom plunging pins and have internal safety levers. Town of Truckee 
    • Location & distance: Be located out of the Town right-of-way and is recommended to be no more than (28) feet from the edge of the roadway to avoid additional TTSD charges. Town of Truckee 
    • Property line & responsibility: Bear box must be located entirely on private property and out of the Town right-of-way. The right-of-way varies in each subdivision. It is the property owner’s responsibility to identify the property line. Town of Truckee 
    • Winter access: In the winter, a clear, unobstructed direct path at least 36” wide to bear box must be cleared of snow, including removal of roadside snow berm. Town of Truckee 

Approved Bear Box Models for Residents in Truckee, California

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Trash & Recycling Guide — Best Practices & Reminders 

  • Please never place trash outside prior to 5:00 a.m. on the day of your collection, unless it is in an approved bear box. Town of Truckee 
  • Bear box must be securely shut. Place clean recyclables directly into your blue cart (no bags) or tightly secure blue bags and place them next to your trash can. Town of Truckee 
  • Compost Drop-off: Although we do not collect food scraps curbside due to wildlife, a compost drop-off service is available at Truckee Town Hall. Wildlife-resistant compost carts are available in the rear parking lot at 10183 Truckee Airport Rd. Town of Truckee 

Collection Rules & Service Requirements 

From Title VI: Health & Sanitation, Chapter 6.01: 

  • Collection Service Mandatory: All persons residing or maintaining businesses or other premises in the Town of Truckee shall make arrangements to receive solid waste collection service at least one time per week from the Town’s franchisee. Town of Truckee
  • Single-family units must subscribe to solid waste, recycling, and yard waste curbside service, collected at least once per week. Town of Truckee
  • Residential placement for collection: During the hours for collection, residential containers shall be placed at the location designated by the collector and shall be accessible for mechanized pick-up, placed within a bear box installed on private property, out of the public right-of-way but no further than twenty-eight (28) feet from the edge of the Town maintained roadway. Keep Truckee Green - Keep Truckee Green

For Short-Term Rentals (STR)

  • Town of Truckee’s Short-Term Rental Ordinance requires all Short-Term Rental properties (STRs) to install a bear box, subscribe to two-can trash service, and provide two 32-gallon cans for trash collection.
  • To protect wildlife, trash must always be properly secured in a bear box.
  • STRs must post trash storage instructions for renters.
  • Short-term rental properties can subscribe to a two-can trash service by calling Tahoe Truckee Sierra Disposal at 530-583-7800. Town of Truckee 
  • Installation of a bear box is required for all STRs: Bear Box Installation Guide (PDF) Town of Truckee 

Town Code & Solid Waste Ordinances

Municipal Code – Title VI: Health & Sanitation, Chapter 6.01 

  • Residential customers may choose to store their solid waste containers in a bear box. All new bear boxes must meet the following requirements: made of metal, stone, brick, concrete, or equivalently sturdy material; have a front-facing door; fit two 32-gallon cans; have a roof with side or back snow shedding; and have plunging pins securing the top and bottom locking mechanism. Bear sheds must be located out of the Town right-of-way and within twenty-eight (28) feet of the edge of the roadway. Bear boxes located farther than twenty-eight (28) feet from the edge of the roadway will be subject to additional servicing arrangements and applicable fees. Town of Truckee
  • Enforcement and wildlife disturbance: Every customer shall ensure that their solid waste is securely stored in cans, carts, bins, or bear boxes. No solid waste shall be strewn on the ground or otherwise outside the container. Town of Truckee 

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