Sanitation Services curbtransition4

Important Notice

Customers included in the transition should continue using their current collection point until the effective date provided in their official notice. Do not begin placing carts at the curb before your transition date unless instructed by Sanitation.

What’s Changing

Some residential garbage and recycling collection locations will move from alley collection to curbside collection.

Why

The transition is focused on improving safety, reliability, access, and long-term sustainability.

When

The transition is expected to begin on or about [insert effective date].

Who’s Affected

Use the interactive map on this page to search your address and see whether your location is included.

Overview

The City of Dallas Department of Sanitation is preparing to transition a limited number of residential garbage and recycling collection locations from alley collection to curbside collection.

This transition is focused on alley locations where collection conditions present the greatest service, safety, access, and infrastructure challenges. These may include narrow or confined alleys, limited maneuverability for collection vehicles, deteriorated or unimproved alley surfaces, dead-end alleys, fixed physical obstructions, and other conditions that affect the safe and reliable collection of garbage and recycling.

Most Dallas customers already receive curbside collection. Alley collection will continue in many areas where conditions support safe and reliable service. The current transition is not a citywide elimination of alley collection.

Purpose of the Transition

The purpose of the transition is to improve the safety, reliability, and long-term sustainability of residential solid waste collection.

Dallas has many older residential alleys that were not designed for modern solid waste collection vehicles. Over time, larger vehicles, aging alley surfaces, fixed obstructions, limited turning space, and changes in neighborhood conditions have made collection more difficult in some areas.

The City is focusing first on the most constrained alley locations, where continued alley collection presents higher risks of:

Property damage;
Equipment damage;
Missed or delayed collections;
Service disruptions;
Employee safety incidents;
Resident safety concerns; and
Long-term cost increases.

Curbside collection allows the City to provide service in a way that is generally safer, more efficient, and more consistent with the standard collection model used for most Dallas residential customers.

Background

Dallas provides residential garbage and recycling collection to single-family and duplex customers throughout the city. Approximately two-thirds of residential customers already receive curbside collection, while approximately one-third receive some form of alley collection.

The City has studied the challenges associated with alley collection for several years. Previous planning efforts, including the City’s Comprehensive Environmental and Climate Action Plan and Local Solid Waste Management Plan, identified route efficiency, collection safety, and modernization of service delivery as important long-term priorities.

In February 2026, Sanitation briefed the Dallas City Council on options for addressing the ongoing challenges of alley collection. Following that briefing, Sanitation began identifying and mapping alley blocks that align with City Council perspectives shared during the briefing, reflecting an incremental, safety-focused approach.

The current review is focused on locations with the most severe alley service constraints, including substantial confinement and limited maneuverability, deteriorated or unimproved alley surfaces, dead-ends, fixed physical obstructions, and other conditions that affect the safe and reliable collection of garbage and recycling.

Why Some Alley Locations Are Being Transitioned

Not all alleys present the same level of risk or operational difficulty. Some alleys are wide, paved, clear of obstructions, and allow collection vehicles to safely enter, maneuver, and exit. Other alleys are narrow, deteriorated, blocked, or otherwise difficult to service safely.

The transition locations were identified based on physical and operational conditions, not neighborhood preference alone.

Conditions Considered

Narrow alley pavement that limits safe vehicle movement;
Alleys with limited room for collection vehicles to turn or exit;
Dead-end alleys that require backing or difficult maneuvering;
Deteriorated, unimproved, or unstable alley surfaces;
Utility poles, fences, retaining walls, trees, vegetation, or other fixed obstructions near the travel path;
Repeated access limitations affecting garbage or recycling service; and
Conditions that increase the likelihood of property or equipment damage.

Potential Service Impacts

These conditions can make it difficult for Sanitation crews to provide consistent collection without increasing risk to employees, residents, vehicles, and private or public property.

Curbside collection is intended to reduce those risks in selected locations while maintaining regular garbage and recycling service.

Interactive Map

Use the interactive map below to search for your address and determine whether your location is included in the planned alley-to-curb transition.

Interactive Map Placeholder Embed the ArcGIS or City map application here.

How to Use the Map

Enter your address in the search box.
Select the correct address from the search results.
Review the map result to determine whether your location is included.
Read the information provided for your area, including the planned service change and effective date.

Only the locations shown on the map are currently planned for transition as part of this phase. Map data is provided for public information and may be updated as Sanitation completes final review.

Effective Date

[Insert effective date]

The transition to curbside collection is expected to begin on or about this date. Affected customers will receive direct notice from the City before the transition takes effect.

Before the transition

Customers should continue placing carts at their current assigned collection point until the effective date listed in their official notice.

Beginning on the effective date

Affected customers should place garbage and recycling roll carts at the curb in front of their property, unless otherwise instructed by Sanitation.

Cart Placement Guidelines

Place carts at the curb no later than 7:00 a.m. on the scheduled collection day.
Place carts with the handle facing the house and the lid opening toward the street.
Keep at least 3 feet of clearance around each cart.
Do not place carts near parked vehicles, mailboxes, utility poles, trees, low-hanging limbs, or other obstructions.
Make sure cart lids are fully closed.
Remove carts from the curb after collection in accordance with City requirements.

Tiered Rate for Alley and Curbside Service

The City is also preparing a tiered rate structure that better reflects the different costs of providing curbside and alley collection service.

Alley collection is generally more expensive to provide than curbside collection because it often requires smaller or less efficient equipment, more labor-intensive collection methods, slower routes, and additional operational effort due to alley conditions. Curbside collection is the standard service model for most residential customers and is generally more efficient to provide.

Under the proposed tiered rate structure, customers who continue to receive approved alley collection would pay a higher monthly sanitation rate than customers receiving curbside collection. The tiered rate is intended to better align customer rates with the actual cost of providing different service types.

Service Type	Description	Rate Information
Curbside Collection	Garbage and recycling carts are collected from the curb.	[Insert adopted monthly rate when available]
Approved Alley Collection	Garbage and recycling carts continue to be collected from the alley where approved by Sanitation.	[Insert adopted monthly rate when available]

The final rate structure, including the specific monthly rate amounts and effective date, will be considered as part of the City’s budget process. More information will be provided after City Council action.

Customers Remaining in the Alley

Some customers will continue receiving alley collection after this phase of the transition. Remaining alley service does not mean that an alley is permanently guaranteed for alley collection under all future conditions.

Sanitation will continue to evaluate alley service based on safety, access, infrastructure, and operational conditions. Alley collection may be changed in the future if conditions prevent safe or reliable service.

Research and Development of Alternative Service Options

In addition to the limited transition of the most constrained alley locations, Sanitation is also pursuing research and development work to evaluate whether alternative collection methods, equipment, technologies, or service models could help address alley collection challenges in the future.

The City has engaged a consultant to assist with this work. The consultant will help evaluate potential options for constrained alleys, including approaches that may not currently be standard practice in the solid waste industry.

This work is intended to support future decision-making and may help identify additional tools for improving safety, reliability, and efficiency. However, research and development takes time, and not every concept may prove feasible, affordable, or appropriate for deployment in Dallas.

The current transition is focused on locations where existing conditions present the most significant service and safety concerns.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the City eliminating all alley collection?

No. This is not a citywide elimination of alley collection. The current transition is focused on a limited number of locations with the most significant alley service constraints. Many customers will continue receiving alley collection.

Why is my address included in the transition?

Your address may be included because the alley serving your location has conditions that affect safe or reliable collection. These may include narrow pavement, limited maneuverability, poor surface conditions, dead-ends, fixed obstructions, or other factors that make alley collection more difficult or less safe.

Why is my neighborhood affected when other neighborhoods are not?

Alleys vary significantly across Dallas. Some alleys are wide, paved, clear, and easier to service. Others are narrow, deteriorated, obstructed, or difficult for collection vehicles to navigate. The City is focusing on locations where alley conditions create the greatest collection challenges.

When will my service change?

The transition is expected to begin on or about [insert effective date]. Affected customers will receive direct notice before the change takes effect. Until then, customers should continue using their current collection point.

Where should I place my carts after the transition?

Beginning on your effective date, place your garbage and recycling roll carts at the curb in front of your property unless Sanitation provides different instructions. Carts should be placed no later than 7:00 a.m. on your scheduled collection day.

Will my collection day change?

At this time, the transition changes the collection location, not necessarily the collection day. Customers should review their mailed notice and the information provided on this webpage for any location-specific instructions.

Will I receive new carts?

Most customers will continue using their existing garbage and recycling roll carts. If a cart replacement or additional instruction is needed, Sanitation will provide that information directly to the affected customer.

What if I have a physical limitation and cannot move my carts to the curb?

Customers who need assistance due to a disability or physical limitation may contact Sanitation to ask about available service options. The City will provide information about eligibility requirements and the process for requesting accommodation.

Can I request to stay in the alley?

The City will review customer questions and concerns, but transition decisions are based on safety, access, infrastructure, and operational conditions. In locations selected for transition, curbside collection will become the assigned collection point unless Sanitation determines that a different arrangement is necessary.

Can my block be removed from the transition list?

Sanitation will review reported mapping or address errors. However, locations were selected based on alley conditions and operational factors. A request or preference to remain in the alley does not guarantee removal from the transition list.

What if the map appears to show the wrong location?

Residents who believe the map contains an error should contact Sanitation with their address and a description of the concern. Staff will review reported mapping issues before the transition takes effect.

Why does alley collection cost more?

Alley collection is often more labor-intensive and less efficient than curbside collection. It may require more time, different equipment, additional maneuvering, and more operational effort. Narrow or obstructed alleys can also increase the risk of equipment damage, property damage, missed collections, and safety incidents.

What is the tiered rate?

The tiered rate is a proposed sanitation rate structure that would charge different monthly rates based on whether a customer receives curbside collection or approved alley collection. The purpose is to better align rates with the different costs of providing each service type.

When will the tiered rate take effect?

The final rate structure and effective date will be determined through the City’s budget process and City Council action. More information will be provided after the rate is adopted.

Will customers transitioned to curbside pay the alley rate?

Under the proposed structure, customers receiving curbside collection would pay the curbside rate. Customers who remain on approved alley collection would pay the alley rate. Final details will depend on the rate structure adopted by the City Council.

Does paying the alley rate guarantee permanent alley service?

No. The alley rate would apply to customers who receive approved alley collection, but alley service remains subject to safety, access, infrastructure, and operational conditions. If conditions prevent safe or reliable service, Sanitation may change the assigned collection point.

What happens if cars, trees, or other obstructions block curbside collection?

Customers are responsible for placing carts where they are accessible to collection vehicles. Carts should not be blocked by parked vehicles, trees, poles, mailboxes, or other obstructions. If carts are blocked or improperly placed, they may not be collected.

What happens if my alley is still used for utilities or access?

The transition only changes the assigned garbage and recycling collection point. It does not change ownership, utility access, private access, or other legal uses of the alley.

Contact and Feedback

Have a question about your address, cart placement, the interactive map, or the planned transition? Contact Dallas 311 or the Department of Sanitation.

Phone: 311
Online: Dallas 311 service request portal
Sanitation website: [insert webpage address]
Email: [insert project email address]

Quick Links

Garbage Collection Recycling Alley Service Criteria Helping Hands and Pack-Out Service

Alley-to-Curb Transition