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Step 1 of 5 · The Transition
Department of Sanitation Services

Alley—to—Curb Transition

Some alleys are too narrow, or have surfaces like dirt, gravel, or badly broken pavement that aren't safe or efficient for garbage and recycle pickup. As part of a citywide review, about 200 alley blocks (approximately 6,000 homes) are moving to curbside service to keep pickup safe and reliable.

EffectiveFebruary 1, 2027
AffectsApproximately 2% of customers
1
The Transition

What is changing

A limited number of homes will move from alley collection to curbside collection beginning February 1, 2027. Most Sanitation customers (98%) will see no change to their service.

If your home is included

A limited number of homes move to the curb

Your garbage and recycling collection point will move from the alley to the curb in front of your home. You'll receive a mailed notice before the switch, and your collection day stays the same.

If your home is not included

Most homes see no change at all

Nothing changes for you. The large majority of Dallas homes will continue to receive approved alley collection wherever conditions allow safe, reliable service.

Not sure which applies to you? Step 3 has an address lookup map. Enter your address to see whether your home is included.

2
The Challenge

Why some alleys are hard to serve

Collection trucks need space, stable pavement, and clear access. Many Dallas alleys do not provide that — but not every alley is the same.

Confined Spaces · 01

Limited room to move

Narrow alleys can leave little room for a truck to pass and for crews on foot to safely work.

Surface Conditions · 02

Surfaces unsuitable for heavy equipment

Dirt, gravel, and deteriorated surface conditions can delay service and damage equipment.

Backing · 03

Dead-ends

Dead-end alleys present significant challenges as drivers must back out over long distances in confined spaces.

The Distinction · Not every alley is the same
Continues

Most alleys will continue to receive Sanitation service

Wide, paved, clear alleys may continue to support alley collection where conditions allow.

Transitions to curb

Some alleys are hazardous for our crews and equipment

Narrow paths; dirt, gravel, and deteriorated surfaces; and confined conditions make service unsafe and inefficient for crews and equipment.

3
Address Lookup

Check your address

Use the map to see whether your home is included. If you don't see a blue marker at your location, alley collection continues as normal.

A Type your address into the search box.
B Select your address from the dropdown list.
C Check whether your home is marked.

Click here for a full screen version of the map.

4
Timing

When will this start

The transition will begin on February 1, 2027. Transitioning homes will receive written notice before the collection point switch.

Before the switch

Keep using your current collection point until the first week of February 2027.

Notice mailed

Sanitation will communicate directly with every customer before service adjustmentss.

Start date

Begin placing carts at the curb on your first service day in February 2027.

Collection day

There is no change to your collection day.

5
Questions & Answers

Frequently asked questions

Quick answers for customers. If your question isn't covered here, contact Sanitation Services by email here.

Q·1Is the City ending all alley collection?+

No. This is a limited transition. Most Dallas homes will continue to receive alley collection where conditions allow safe and reliable service.

Q·2Why is my home included?+

Your alley is narrow, damaged, blocked, or otherwise difficult for collection trucks and crews to use safely and efficiently.

Q·3Can I ask to stay in the alley?+

You may contact Sanitation with questions or to provide other information you believe we should know. Final decisions are based on safety, access, and service conditions.

Q·4Will my collection day change?+

Your collection day will stay the same.

Q·5What if I cannot move my carts?+

Free cart assistance is available for customers who cannot move carts due to disability and have no one in the household who can help.

Each week Sanitation will move your carts to the curb and return them after collection. Enrollment is subject to eligibility verification and periodic renewal. Click here to learn more.

Q·6Will the alley and curbside rates be different?+

Because alley collection requires more staff and equipment than curbside collection, Sanitation will propose a tiered monthly rate to the City Council as part of the City Manager's Recommended FY 2026–27 Budget in August 2026. Details will be published here once the proposal is presented.

Q·7Does paying the alley rate guarantee alley service forever?+

No. Alley service still depends on safe access and reliable collection conditions, which Sanitation reviews regularly.

Q·8How has this transition plan been revised since first introduced?+
Dallas Sanitation serves approximately 260,000 customers
36%
Current Alley Collection
64%
Current Curbside Collection
Listening and refining the plan
2024
Original Plan

Would have transitioned all alley customers.

36%
64% unaffected
2025
Revised Approach

Would have affected about 10% of all customers.

10%
90% unaffected
2026
Current Plan

Will affect only 2% of all customers.

2%
98% unaffected

Percentages are rounded. Customer counts are based on approximately 260,000 Sanitation customers.

Q·9Is the City looking into other options, like different trucks or equipment, that could keep alley collection instead of moving homes to curbside pickup?+

Yes. The City is engaged in ongoing research and development to identify emerging and non-standard technology, equipment, and service models for alleyway collection.

This includes private solid waste collection service providers. The City has already studied this option and found it is not a feasible solution for our alleys at this time. That said, research and development is an ongoing process. As part of this effort, an independent consultant will conduct a separate, independent analysis of private collection services to confirm these findings and look for any new information or options that may not have been considered before.

The current transition to curbside collection focuses only on the alley locations where conditions already create major service and safety concerns. This work continues alongside the City's broader research into long-term alley collection solutions, rather than in place of it.

Need Help

We're here to answer your questions.

Contact Sanitation with questions about your address, cart placement, the map, or any part of the transition.

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