---
title: "Nelson garbage collection: schedule, carts and limits"
question: "When is garbage collected in Nelson, and how do garbage tags work?"
place: Nelson, British Columbia, Canada
place_path: ca/bc/nelson
category: Garbage, recycling and waste
owner: municipal
owner_body: City of Nelson
sources_read: 2026-11-05
review: machine_checked
canonical: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/nelson/garbage-collection/"
json: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/nelson/garbage-collection.json"
---

# Nelson garbage collection: schedule, carts and limits

**Question:** When is garbage collected in Nelson, and how do garbage tags work?

**Short answer:** The City of Nelson collects household garbage curbside in tagged plastic bags. Each bag must weigh under 20 kg and carry a City tag ($1.75; $17.50 for a sheet of 10). Put bags out on your collection day, no earlier than 5 a.m., and by 7 a.m. to be sure of pick-up. Find your day on the City's map.

**Who handles it:** Municipal (City of Nelson, https://www.nelson.ca)  
**Cost:** Tags $1.75 each ($17.50 for a sheet of 10). Annual collection fee: $175 single-family home; $350 two-family dwelling; $175 legal secondary suite in a single-family home; $150 multi-family (properties up to 10 units).  
**How long:** Bags go out on collection day only, no earlier than 5 a.m. The City guarantees pick-up if they are out by 7 a.m.  
**Where:**
- Online: Garbage and Recycling Collection Map (PDF), https://www.nelson.ca/DocumentCenter/View/598/Garbage-and-Recycling-PickupMap-PDF
- In person: City Hall (tags), Suite 101, 310 Ward Street, Nelson, BC V1L 5S4
- Phone: Public Works, 250-352-8238

## Key facts

- **How often:** Not confirmed. Neither the City's pages nor the bylaw state how often garbage is collected.
- **Finding your day:** Use the City's Garbage and Recycling Collection Map (PDF), which shows the collection day for each address. Garbage and recycling are on the same collection day schedule.
  - Source: [Garbage and Recycling Collection Map](https://www.nelson.ca/DocumentCenter/View/598/Garbage-and-Recycling-PickupMap-PDF)
  - Official wording: "591 597 569 604 567 594 GARBAGE & RECYCLING 559 570 598 1702 564 553 558 590" … "577 554 548 569 605 559 1624 COLLECTION MAP 601 606 555 570 549 595 541"
  - Source: [Waste Management and Wildlife Attractant Bylaw 3198 (consolidated to May 9, 2023), s. 1 definition of Collection Day](https://nelson.civicweb.net/document/13458)
  - Official wording: "means the day scheduled for collection of garbage and recyclables from a property in accordance with the schedule"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Carts:** No carts for garbage: it goes in plastic bags (up to 66 cm by 97 cm) with a City tag, and City employees do not lift garbage cans. Recycling goes in a blue bin with a lid, up to 121 litres.
  - Source: [Waste Management, Use](https://www.nelson.ca/368/Waste)
  - Official wording: "Garbage cans will not be lifted by City employees"
  - Source: [Waste Management and Wildlife Attractant Bylaw 3198 (consolidated to May 9, 2023), s. 16, 22](https://nelson.civicweb.net/document/13458)
  - Official wording: "plastic disposable garbage bags sized no greater than 66 cm by 97 cm" … "is blue in colour with a tight-fitting lid designed for manual collection," … "is sized no greater than 121 litres in volume,"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Setting carts out:** On collection day only, no earlier than 5 a.m.; the City guarantees pick-up if out by 7 a.m. Place bags (or a can holding bags) and blue bins in full view at the edge of the road without blocking traffic; on lanes, where reachable without entering private property.
  - Source: [Waste Management and Wildlife Attractant Bylaw 3198 (consolidated to May 9, 2023), s. 18, 19, 23](https://nelson.civicweb.net/document/13458)
  - Official wording: "place all garbage bags (or a garbage can containing garbage bags) out no earlier than 5:00 a.m." … "The City guarantees garbage collection if all garbage bags (or a garbage can containing garbage bags) are placed out by 7:00 a.m." … "as close as possible to the edge of the travelled way serving the property without obstructing traffic;"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Limits and extra garbage:** Each bag no more than 20 kg (44 lb) and no larger than 66 cm by 97 cm, tied shut, with a City tag. Tags cost $1.75 each (sheets of 10 for $17.50). No garden clippings or construction material. Blue bin contents also under 20 kg.
  - Source: [Waste Management and Wildlife Attractant Bylaw 3198 (consolidated to May 9, 2023), s. 16, 18](https://nelson.civicweb.net/document/13458)
  - Official wording: "Contents within garbage bags shall not exceed 20 kilograms (44 pounds) in weight." … "attach one adhesive garbage disposal tag on each sealed garbage bag"
  - Source: [Waste Management, Requirements, Garbage Tags](https://www.nelson.ca/368/Waste)
  - Official wording: "Garbage tags are available in sheets of 10 tags for $17.50." … "NOT include garden clippings or construction material."
  - Source: [Fees and Charges Bylaw 3092, Schedule O](https://nelson.civicweb.net/document/6404)
  - Official wording: "Disposal $1.75 per tag"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Fee:** Annual collection fee: $175 for a single-family home; $350 for a two-family dwelling; $175 for a legal secondary suite in a single-family home; $150 for multi-family (properties up to 10 units). Plus a $1.75 tag on each garbage bag.
  - Source: [Fees and Charges Bylaw 3092, Schedule O](https://nelson.civicweb.net/document/6404)
  - Official wording: "Single Family Collection $175.00" … "Two-Family Dwelling Unit Collection $350.00" … "Legal secondary suite within a Collection $175.00" … "Multi-Family Dwelling Unit Collection $150.00" … "Disposal $1.75 per tag"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Bylaw:** Waste Management and Wildlife Attractant Bylaw No. 3198, 2011. Fees are in Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 3092, 2008, Schedule O.
  - Source: [Waste Management and Wildlife Attractant Bylaw 3198 (consolidated to May 9, 2023), Citation](https://nelson.civicweb.net/document/13458)
  - Official wording: "Waste Management and Wildlife Attractant Bylaw No. 3198, 2011"
  - Source: [Fees and Charges Bylaw 3092, Schedule O](https://nelson.civicweb.net/document/6404)
  - Official wording: "SCHEDULE "O" TO FEES AND CHARGES BYLAW NO. 3092, 2008"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06

## How it works

Under the [Waste Management and Wildlife Attractant Bylaw 3198](https://nelson.civicweb.net/document/13458), Nelson collects household garbage and recycling on the same collection-day schedule. Garbage goes in plastic bags (no larger than 66 cm by 97 cm) with a City tag. Garbage bags can be held in a can, but City employees lift the bags out and do not lift cans. Recycling goes in a blue bin with a lid, up to 121 litres. How often collection happens is not stated on the City pages or in the bylaw, which says "as set by Council policy". Use the collection map or ask Public Works.

## Steps

1. Look up your collection day on the City's Garbage and Recycling Collection Map, or call Public Works at 250-352-8238.
2. Buy tags at City Hall or a listed store: Safeway, Uphill Market, KTK Rosemont Market, Nelson Pharmasave, Save-On-Foods, Real Canadian Wholesale Club, Wings Grocery, Hipperson Home Hardware, Nelson Home Building Centre, Ellison's Market or Kootenay Co-op.
3. Tie each bag shut. Each must be no more than 20 kg (44 lb), with a City tag easily visible. No garden clippings or construction material.
4. On collection day only, no earlier than 5 a.m., set bags (or a can holding bags) and blue bins in full view at the edge of the road without blocking traffic. On lanes, place them where they can be reached without entering private property.

## Good to know

- Untagged, wrong-size, overweight or torn bags are left behind.
- Until collection day, store garbage securely: indoors, in a shed or in a wildlife-resistant container.
- Blue bin contents must also weigh under 20 kg.
- No limit on the number of bags was found.

## What you'll need

- Garbage and Recycling Collection Map (PDF) to find your collection day

## Official forms and pages

- [Waste Management, City of Nelson](https://www.nelson.ca/368/Waste)
- [Waste Management and Wildlife Attractant Bylaw 3198 (PDF)](https://nelson.civicweb.net/document/13458)

## Related questions

- [Nelson yard waste collection and drop-off](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/nelson/yard-waste.md)

## The same question elsewhere

- [Garbage collection in British Columbia: frequency, limits and fees by municipality](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/garbage-collection.md)
- [Castlegar](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/castlegar/garbage-collection.md)
- [Slocan](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/slocan/garbage-collection.md)
- [Salmo](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/salmo/garbage-collection.md)
- [Fruitvale](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/fruitvale/garbage-collection.md)
- [Montrose](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/montrose/garbage-collection.md)
- [Trail](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/trail/garbage-collection.md)

## Sources

- [Waste Management, City of Nelson](https://www.nelson.ca/368/Waste) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Waste Management, City of Nelson (Public Works contact)](https://www.nelson.ca/424/Waste-Management) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Waste Management and Wildlife Attractant Bylaw 3198 (consolidated to May 9, 2023) (PDF)](https://nelson.civicweb.net/document/13458) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Fees and Charges Bylaw 3092, Schedule O (PDF)](https://nelson.civicweb.net/document/6404) (read 2026-11-05)
- [Garbage and Recycling Collection Map (PDF)](https://www.nelson.ca/DocumentCenter/View/598/Garbage-and-Recycling-PickupMap-PDF) (read 2026-11-05)

_Checked by script, not yet by a person: the official wording behind 6 of 7 facts was matched to the official text; 1 could not be confirmed. Gov Handbook is an independent guide, not affiliated with City of Nelson. How answers are checked: https://govhandbook.com/methods/ · Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/nelson/garbage-collection/_