Upcoming Changes to Curbside Collection

Beginning Oct. 1, several updates to curbside collection will take effect. We want to make sure you have all the information you need, and we’re committed to keeping the transition as smooth as possible. Below are the most important changes to be aware of.

1. Collection Day Changes

Starting Oct. 1, about 65% of Gainesville residents will have a new collection day. Collection routes are shifting to a Monday–Friday schedule.

To help with the transition, we are sending a mailer to every affected address in the city. The mailer will explain how residents can look up their updated collection day. During the week of Sept. 14, we will also update our official collection map so residents can easily confirm their new schedule.

Enter your address on the map to check your collection day:

New Collection Day Map

Don't forget to let your friends and neighbors know too!

2. Billing Changes

Billing for solid waste collection is moving from the monthly GRU utility bill to a solid waste special assessment on the non-ad valorem property tax bill. View our special assessments webpage for more info.

Special assessments are used by many local governments throughout Florida to assure that this essential service is adequately funded. Unlike a tax, a special assessment must be developed to recover each property’s proportionate share of the costs and can only be used to fund those services.

Solid Waste Annual Assessment Rates and Assistance (effective Oct. 1, 2026)

20-gallon cart: $368.18/yr
35-gallon cart: $391.58/yr
64-gallon cart: $436.81/yr
96-gallon cart: $486.73/yr

3. City of Gainesville’s Hardship Assistance Program

Q: What if the fees are higher than I can pay?

A: We know unexpected bills can be a financial worry. If you need help paying the special assessments that appear on your November 2026 tax bill, please contact the Department of Financial Services by September 30. Through the City of Gainesville’s Hardship Assistance program, neighbors who qualify can receive a fee reduction.

Q: Are there any other options for spreading out payments?

For neighbors paying the November 2026 tax bill, statutory partial payments can be made to the Tax Collector from November 2026 through March 2027. This allows neighbors to spread out their special assessment payments and there is no charge per payment. More information is available by contacting the Alachua County Tax Collector.

Q: How should I plan for future years?

A: Although this year’s deadline to register for the Tax Collector’s installment plan has already passed, neighbors can choose to pre-pay in installments for next year’s tax bill that will be mailed in November 2027. Payment plan information is available at Property Taxes – Alachua County Tax Collector. This does include the early payment discounts and you can start the process for 2027 by visiting the Tax Collector website beginning in November 2026.

4. Cart Size/Service Level Changes - Effective Immediately

Residents who wish to increase or decrease the size of their garbage cart must follow the updated guidelines below.

Eligibility

Only homeowners may request a cart size change. This is because solid waste service fees are now billed through the non-ad valorem property tax assessment, and the homeowner is the responsible payer.
One cart size change is allowed per property per year.

Upsizing Your Cart

To increase cart size, the homeowner must provide payment for a cart size increase fee ($19) and the prorated cost of the upgraded cart
Proration is based on the fiscal year (Oct. 1–Sept. 30).

Example:
A resident switching from a 35-gallon cart to a 96-gallon cart effective June 1 would pay:

Monthly difference: $7.93
Months billed: June–September (4 months)
Cart size increase fee: $19
Total due: $7.93 × 4 + $19 = $50.72

The updated charge for this cart size will appear on your next non-ad valorem property tax assessment.

Downsizing Your Cart

Homeowners may request to reduce the cart size at any time.
Downsizing is free of charge, but no refunds are issued for the difference in cart size.
The reduced charge will be reflected on your next non-ad valorem property tax assessment.

4. Yard Waste Collection Changes

Homes are now limited to six cubic yards of yard waste per week.

What does 6 cubic yards look like? To help visualize the size, here are a few examples:

Six piles measuring 3 ft × 3 ft × 3 ft
Three standard refrigerators worth of volume
Two full pickup truck beds
About the size of a compact car

Preparation Requirements

Yard waste must be placed in bundles that can be collected in a single motion.
Loose leaves and small twigs should be placed in paper bags or a reusable container.
Each bin and bundle must weigh less than 40 lbs.

For more information and general guidance, please visit our Yard Waste Collection webpage.