Key Takeaways
- City of Homestead residents get bulk pickup every other week, with a 10-cubic-yard limit per pile.
- Miami-Dade County customers get two bulky pickups per year, up to 25 cubic yards each.
- The City of Homestead does not collect appliances, tires, construction debris, paint or liquids.
- County piles placed at the curb more than 3 days early can bring a warning or a civil citation.
Bulk trash is one of the most confusing parts of living in South Miami-Dade. Two neighbors a few blocks apart can have completely different pickup schedules, size limits and banned items. It all depends on whether they live inside the City of Homestead or in unincorporated Leisure City or Naranja. Put a pile out on the wrong day, or put out the wrong thing, and it can sit there for weeks or bring a code enforcement notice.
This guide explains the 2026 Homestead bulk trash pickup rules in plain English. You will learn who serves your address, how much you can put out and what is not allowed. It also covers where to drop items off yourself and what to do when the free options do not fit. Rules change from time to time, so always confirm the latest details with your provider before placing a large pile at the curb.
Step One: Find Out Who Collects Your Trash
Your bulk trash rules depend on which government provides your garbage service, not on the city name in your mailing address. Many homes with a Homestead mailing address are actually in unincorporated Miami-Dade County.
| Where You Live | Who Collects | Bulk Trash Program |
|---|---|---|
| Inside City of Homestead limits | Homestead Public Services (HPS) Sanitation | Every-other-week bulk pickup, up to 10 cubic yards |
| Leisure City, Naranja, Princeton, Modello, the Redland and Goulds | Miami-Dade County Department of Solid Waste Management | Two scheduled pickups per year, up to 25 cubic yards each |
| Town of Cutler Bay | Miami-Dade County Department of Solid Waste Management | Two scheduled pickups per year, up to 25 cubic yards each |
| City of Florida City | Florida City municipal services | Check with the city for current bulk rules |
The quickest way to check is your property tax bill or trash bill. City of Homestead residents are billed by Homestead Public Services. County customers pay a residential waste fee that appears on their Miami-Dade property tax bill.
City of Homestead Bulk Trash Pickup Rules
The City of Homestead Solid Waste Division, part of Homestead Public Services, collects bulk trash on an every-other-week schedule. Your exact dates are printed on the annual collection calendar the city mails to residents and posts online.
How Much You Can Put Out
Each bulk pile can be no more than 10 cubic yards. For reference, that is about the size of a small car, or two-thirds of a full junk removal truck. Anything beyond that may be left behind.
When and Where to Place It
- Place bulk items at the edge of the street on your own property, not in the roadway.
- Keep at least 5 feet of clearance from mailboxes, fences, cars, poles, fire hydrants and other objects.
- Put piles out no earlier than 6 PM the evening before collection and no later than 4 AM on collection day.
Yard Waste Size Limits
Grass, leaves and shrub cuttings are accepted. However, tree limbs and logs must be less than 4 inches in diameter. Stumps must be under 15 inches wide and under 50 pounds. Bigger limbs from a palm or oak removal need to go another way.
What the City Will Not Take
According to the city's guidelines, bulk pickup does not include tires, construction material, concrete, dirt, rock or sod. Liquids, paints, toxic or flammable materials, glass and dead animals are also excluded. Most importantly, the city does not take appliances such as stoves, refrigerators, freezers, washing machines, dryers and water heaters. Questions go to the Solid Waste office at 305-224-4860 on weekdays.
Miami-Dade County Bulky Waste Pickup Rules
If your home is served by the Miami-Dade County Department of Solid Waste Management, bulk trash works by appointment instead of a rolling schedule.
Two Pickups per Year, Up to 25 Cubic Yards
County residential customers receive two bulky waste pickups per calendar year, each up to 25 cubic yards. Single-family homes with a bigger pile can combine both pickups into one collection of up to 50 cubic yards. However, that uses up the second pickup for the year.
Schedule Before You Put Anything Out
You can book through 311, online or in the county's solid waste app. Make the request before anything goes to the curb.
The 3-Day Rule
Since April 1, 2023, placing a bulky pile at the curb more than 3 days early can lead to enforcement. Penalties range from a warning notice to a civil citation. This rule exists to stop piles from sitting on swales for weeks, blocking sidewalks and attracting illegal dumping on top.
What Counts as Bulky Waste
Accepted bulky waste includes appliances, furniture, yard trash, crates, corrugated cardboard and similar household items. Construction and demolition debris from remodeling projects, tires and hazardous materials are handled separately.
Neighborhood Trash and Recycling Centers
Miami-Dade runs neighborhood Trash and Recycling Centers where eligible residents can drop off loads themselves. The closest to Homestead is the Moody Drive Trash and Recycling Center at 12970 SW 268th Street, open 7 AM to 5:30 PM every day except Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Independence Day and Christmas Day.
- Construction and demolition debris is limited to 3 cubic yards per customer per day, about six 96-gallon carts.
- Most centers accept up to four standard automobile tires and white goods such as stoves, refrigerators, washers and water heaters.
- Bring a valid Florida driver's license or ID whose address matches an eligible property.
Eligibility is the catch. The centers serve residential waste fee customers in unincorporated Miami-Dade and in a short list of cities. Those cities are Aventura, Cutler Bay, Doral, Miami Gardens, Miami Lakes, Opa-locka, Palmetto Bay, Pinecrest, Sunny Isles Beach and Sweetwater. The City of Homestead is not on that list, so most Homestead residents cannot use Moody Drive.
Where to Take Hazardous Household Items
Paint, pool chemicals, pesticides, solvents, motor oil, car batteries, fluorescent bulbs and used electronics should never go in bulk trash. The South Dade Home Chemical Collection Center accepts these items from all Miami-Dade residents. It is at 23707 SW 97th Avenue, Gate B, and is open Wednesday through Sunday from 9 AM to 5 PM. No appointment is needed. Latex paint is accepted while still liquid.
Bulk Trash During Hurricane Season
Hurricane season runs June 1 through November 30, and bulk trash rules tighten when a storm approaches. Miami-Dade asks residents to trim trees early in the season and schedule bulky pickups before storms threaten. Once a tropical storm or hurricane watch or warning is issued, stop all trimming and major cleanups. Do not move bulk trash to the curb either, because loose piles become projectiles in high winds.
How to Avoid a Bulk Trash Code Citation
- Confirm whether you are a city or county customer before planning anything.
- Never put piles out earlier than allowed: 6 PM the night before in the city, no more than 3 days early in the county.
- Keep piles off the road and sidewalk, and at least 5 feet from obstacles.
- Separate yard waste from household items and keep prohibited items out entirely.
- Stay under the size limit or split the load across legal collections.
- Never leave junk on vacant lots or canal banks. Illegal dumping carries heavy fines in Miami-Dade.
Bulk Trash Tips for Renters, Landlords and HOAs
Renters follow the same collection schedule as the rest of the property, but the lease often says who is responsible for bulk items left behind. Landlords should check the rules before a tenant moves out. Furniture left at the curb on the wrong day is a code issue for the owner, not the former tenant. Build bulk removal into your turnover checklist and photograph the unit and curb when the tenant hands over the keys.
Homeowners associations in newer communities such as Keys Gate and Waterstone often add their own rules on top of city and county limits. These rules may control where piles sit, how long they can stay and whether they must be hidden from the street. When HOA rules are stricter than the city's, the HOA rule is the one your neighbors will enforce. If you are not sure, ask your management company before putting anything out.
Finally, keep your pile tidy. Stack items neatly, bag loose material, keep sharp objects covered and never mix household garbage into a bulk pile. Neat, legal piles are collected faster and are less likely to attract dumping from passersby.
When Private Junk Removal in Homestead Makes More Sense
Free bulk pickup is a good deal for small, allowed piles when you are not in a hurry. A private junk removal company fills the gaps the public programs leave:
- City of Homestead residents with appliances, which city bulk pickup does not accept
- County customers who have already used both annual pickups
- Piles larger than 10 or 25 cubic yards
- Construction debris, tires, roofing and concrete
- Items that are still inside the home, garage or attic
- Move-out deadlines, closings and tenant turnovers that cannot wait weeks
| Option | Cost | Size Limit | Takes Appliances | Carries Items Out |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| City of Homestead bulk | Included in city service | 10 cubic yards | No | No |
| Miami-Dade bulky pickup | Included, 2 per year | 25 cubic yards | Yes | No |
| Moody Drive drop-off | Free for eligible residents | 3 yards C&D per day | Yes | No |
| Private junk removal | From about $95 | No practical limit | Yes | Yes |
Need Appliances Gone Inside City Limits? See Appliance Removal
The City of Homestead bulk program excludes stoves, refrigerators, washers, dryers and water heaters. That makes appliance pickup one of the most common reasons city residents call a hauler.
County Customer Out of Pickups? Try Junk Removal in Leisure City
Leisure City and the other unincorporated communities around Homestead follow the county's two-pickup limit, which runs out quickly for busy households and rentals.