Santa Monica, CA: bulky pickup & disposal rules
Santa Monica offers a City 311 bulky-item request process. The current City request page confirms up to five items and an estimated 7–10-day collection window. A three-free-pickup annual allowance appears in older City material and needs current confirmation.
Quick answer
Santa Monica’s current City bulky-item request page confirms up to five items per request. Three free household pickups a year were advertised in older City material, but that annual allowance is not confirmed on the current booking page; ask City 311 before relying on it. For household requests, allow about 7–10 days for collection after contacting City 311; additional pickups or items may be charged.
Contact 311 at (866) 311-7266 or 311@santamonica.gov. Confirm your address, item acceptance and any current paid-service rate. Reports of abandoned items in public spaces use a separate process.
Verified local service instructions
Santa Monica's Resource Recovery and Recycling service takes bulky requests for up to five items; refrigerators and freezers may require a separate truck.
Request service using 311@santamonica.gov or (866) 311-7266, with the address, location and item descriptions. The city advises allowing 7–10 days rather than promising an exact appointment time.
Source checked for this staging update on October 11, 2026. Always confirm that the street address and dwelling qualify, and confirm the item and collection date before setout.
Who qualifies
This guide concerns legitimate pickups from your Santa Monica property. The City also accepts reports of abandoned public items, which are not interchangeable with an unlimited free private household pickup entitlement.
Furniture, mattresses and appliances
Typical requested items include furniture, mattresses, appliances, and some properly prepared small yard debris. Refrigerant-bearing appliances may be assigned to a separate truck. The City may require a visible label indicating the item is for City pickup.
Before setting anything out
Contact Santa Monica 311 through its official City system to obtain instructions for the address, accepted items, placement, labeling and appointment timing. The City currently documents up to five bulky items per request and an approximate 7–10-day collection window, not a guaranteed appointment date. Publicly abandoned items and booked private household collection are separate requests.
What not to put in the bulky pile
Household chemicals, hazardous waste and construction/demo debris are not ordinary bulky waste. Do not leave obstructive piles on sidewalks or alleys.
Where to take other large items
Check the City’s published extra-pickup rate before consenting to a paid collection, as charges can change. Non-bulky hazardous material needs a designated collection program.