---
title: "Oak Bay garbage collection: schedule, carts and limits"
question: "When is garbage collected in Oak Bay, and what are the rules for carts, limits, and extra bags?"
place: Oak Bay, British Columbia, Canada
place_path: ca/bc/oak-bay
category: Garbage, recycling and waste
owner: municipal
owner_body: District of Oak Bay
sources_read: 2026-11-06
review: machine_checked
canonical: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/oak-bay/garbage-collection/"
json: "https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/oak-bay/garbage-collection.json"
---

# Oak Bay garbage collection: schedule, carts and limits

**Question:** When is garbage collected in Oak Bay, and what are the rules for carts, limits, and extra bags?

**Short answer:** In Oak Bay, the District lists residential garbage and curbside organics collection as "bi-weekly"; look up your address on the collection schedule page. Each household gets one 140-litre garbage tote, set out by 7:30 a.m. on collection day. Recycling is every two weeks.

**Who handles it:** Municipal (District of Oak Bay, https://www.oakbay.ca)  
**Cost:** Solid waste charge: $387.40 per collection unit per year (on the utility bill). Extra tote: $95 each including tax. Extra bag tags: $1.50 for the first bag, $2.25 for the second; a second tote needs $3.75 in tags.  
**How long:** Collection follows your address's schedule. Put totes out by 7:30 a.m. on collection day.  
**Where:**
- Online: Collection schedule (look up your address), https://www.oakbay.ca/services/garbage-recycling/oak-bay-garbage-collection-schedules/
- Phone: Public Works (garbage, totes), 250-598-4501
- Phone: GFL Environmental (organics), 250-474-5145
- Phone: GFL Environmental (recycling, CRD contractor), 236-470-0186

## Key facts

- **How often:** The District says garbage and curbside organics collection for residential properties (not single-family homes on private streets) is 'bi-weekly', without saying what that means; check your address on the collection schedule page. Curbside recycling is every two weeks.
  - Source: [Garbage and Recycling, Garbage & Recycling](https://www.oakbay.ca/services/garbage-recycling/)
  - Official wording: "collection is provided for residential property owners (excludes single family homes on private streets) bi-weekly."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Finding your day:** Look up your address on the District's collection schedule page, use the Recycle Coach app for reminders, or download the printable year-at-a-glance route calendars.
  - Source: [Collection Schedules](https://www.oakbay.ca/services/garbage-recycling/oak-bay-garbage-collection-schedules/)
  - Official wording: "The District of Oak Bay has partnered with Recycle Coach to provide a streamlined way for residents to receive reminders" … "Download the Recycle Coach app to your Apple or Android smartphone"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Carts:** One 140-litre garbage tote per household. Grey, blue or green totes are $95 each including tax from Public Works (250-598-4501). Totes under 5 years old that are significantly damaged are replaced by the District.
  - Source: [Garbage and Recycling, Purchase Garbage Totes](https://www.oakbay.ca/services/garbage-recycling/)
  - Official wording: "Grey, blue or green totes are $95 each including tax." … "Totes can be purchased by calling Oak Bay’s Public Works yard by at 250-598-4501."
  - Source: [Garbage and Recycling FAQ](https://www.oakbay.ca/services/garbage-recycling/frequently-asked-questions/)
  - Official wording: "Residential property owners may take one garbage tote to the curbside (140 litres in size)." … "Totes are replaced by the Municipality if they are less than 5 years old and significantly damaged."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Setting carts out:** Put totes and blue boxes at the curb by 7:30 a.m. on collection day. They may be on the boulevard only from 4 p.m. the day before to 8 p.m. on collection day, and may not be stored between the street and the front of the house (houses, duplexes, triplexes).
  - Source: [Refuse Collection and Disposal Bylaw, 2007 (Bylaw No. 4371), consolidated to December 8, 2025, ss. 6(3), 9](https://www.oakbay.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/4371-Refuse-Collection-and-Disposal.pdf)
  - Official wording: "has not been placed on the boulevard adjacent to the collection unit prior to 7:30" … "except between 4:00 p.m. on the day prior and 8:00 p.m. on the collection day" … "between the front lot line, as defined by the Zoning Bylaw of the Corporation, and the"
  - Source: [Garbage and Recycling FAQ](https://www.oakbay.ca/services/garbage-recycling/frequently-asked-questions/)
  - Official wording: "must bring their totes and blue boxes curbside on collection day by 7:30 a.m."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Limits and extra garbage:** Tote may not be filled beyond 2 cm from the top or weigh over 35 kg. Extra garbage: up to two bags (1 m by 75 cm) with tags ($1.50 for the first bag, $2.25 for the second), or a second tote with $3.75 in tags. Per the FAQ, a second 140 L tote needs 5 tickets at $0.75 each.
  - Source: [Refuse Collection and Disposal Bylaw, 2007 (Bylaw No. 4371), consolidated to December 8, 2025, ss. 6(3), 15(1)](https://www.oakbay.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/4371-Refuse-Collection-and-Disposal.pdf)
  - Official wording: "is filled beyond a point two (2) centimetres from its top;" … "weighs more than thirty-five (35) kilograms;" … "not more than two (2) securely fastened impermeable bags of refuse, such bags" … "a total value of $1.50 for the first bag and $2.25 for the second, or" … "$3.75 for an additional tote"
  - Source: [Garbage and Recycling FAQ](https://www.oakbay.ca/services/garbage-recycling/frequently-asked-questions/)
  - Official wording: "A 140 litre container requires 5 tickets." … "at a cost of $0.75 each."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Fee:** $387.40 per collection unit per year, which also covers general solid waste services (leaf removal, annual garden waste collection, depots). It appears on the utility bill.
  - Source: [Refuse Collection and Disposal Bylaw, 2007 (Bylaw No. 4371), consolidated to December 8, 2025, s. 14(1)](https://www.oakbay.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/4371-Refuse-Collection-and-Disposal.pdf)
  - Official wording: "shall be $387.40 per collection unit per annum."
  - Source: [Garbage and Recycling, Garbage & Recycling](https://www.oakbay.ca/services/garbage-recycling/)
  - Official wording: "This service is noted and included on your utility bills."
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06
- **Bylaw:** Refuse Collection and Disposal Bylaw, 2007 (Bylaw No. 4371)
  - Source: [Refuse Collection and Disposal Bylaw, 2007 (Bylaw No. 4371), consolidated to December 8, 2025, title](https://www.oakbay.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/4371-Refuse-Collection-and-Disposal.pdf)
  - Official wording: "Refuse Collection and Disposal Bylaw, 2007 (No. 4371)"
  - Check: wording matched the official text retrieved 2026-11-06

## How it works

Under the [Refuse Collection and Disposal Bylaw](<https://www.oakbay.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/4371-Refuse-Collection-and-Disposal.pdf>), each household has one 140-litre garbage tote. The District says garbage and curbside organics collection for residential properties (not single-family homes on private streets) is "bi-weekly", without saying what that means, so check your address on the collection schedule page. Curbside recycling is every two weeks. Garbage is collected by Oak Bay Public Works, organics by GFL Environmental, and recycling by the Capital Regional District's contractor, GFL Environmental.

## Steps

1. Look up your address on the collection schedule page, use the Recycle Coach app for reminders, or download the printable route calendars.
2. Put totes and blue boxes at the curb by 7:30 a.m. on collection day. They may be on the boulevard only from 4 p.m. the day before to 8 p.m. on collection day, and may not be stored between the street and the front of the house (houses, duplexes, triplexes).
3. Do not fill the tote beyond 2 cm from the top, and keep it under 35 kg.
4. Buy extra-garbage tags at the Oak Bay Recreation Centre front counter or Municipal Hall.

## Good to know

- Extra garbage: up to two bags (1 m by 75 cm) with tags ($1.50 for the first bag, $2.25 for the second), or a second tote with $3.75 in tags. The District's FAQ describes this as 5 tickets at $0.75 each.
- Only the wheeled totes sold by Public Works are accepted. Grey, blue or green totes are $95 each including tax. Totes under 5 years old that are significantly damaged are replaced by the District.
- Banned items (such as hazardous waste, construction waste, and items the CRD bans from the landfill) may not go in the tote.
- Staff may skip a tote that is not out by 7:30 a.m. Residents with a disability can apply to the District for a modified service.
- The $387.40 yearly charge also covers general solid waste services (leaf removal, annual garden waste collection, depots). It is amended each December.
- Garbage rule breaches carry a $130 municipal ticket ($100 if paid within 30 days) under [Bylaw No. 4846](<https://www.oakbay.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Bylaw-4846-Municipal-Ticket-Info-Consolidate.pdf>).

## Official forms and pages

- [Garbage and Recycling, District of Oak Bay](https://www.oakbay.ca/services/garbage-recycling/)
- [Refuse Collection and Disposal Bylaw, 2007 (Bylaw No. 4371) (PDF)](https://www.oakbay.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/4371-Refuse-Collection-and-Disposal.pdf)

## Related questions

- [Oak Bay yard waste collection and drop-off](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/oak-bay/yard-waste.md)
- [Oak Bay backyard fire and burning rules](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/oak-bay/backyard-fire.md)
- [Oak Bay bylaw fines and how tickets work](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/oak-bay/bylaw-fines.md)

## The same question elsewhere

- [Garbage collection in British Columbia: frequency, limits and fees by municipality](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/garbage-collection.md)
- [Victoria](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/victoria/garbage-collection.md)
- [Saanich](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/saanich/garbage-collection.md)
- [Esquimalt](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/esquimalt/garbage-collection.md)
- [View Royal](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/view-royal/garbage-collection.md)
- [Colwood](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/colwood/garbage-collection.md)
- [Langford](https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/langford/garbage-collection.md)

## Sources

- [Garbage and Recycling, District of Oak Bay](https://www.oakbay.ca/services/garbage-recycling/) (read 2026-11-06)
- [Collection Schedules, District of Oak Bay](https://www.oakbay.ca/services/garbage-recycling/oak-bay-garbage-collection-schedules/) (read 2026-11-06)
- [Garbage and Recycling FAQ, District of Oak Bay](https://www.oakbay.ca/services/garbage-recycling/frequently-asked-questions/) (read 2026-11-06)
- [Refuse Collection and Disposal Bylaw, 2007 (Bylaw No. 4371), consolidated to December 8, 2025 (PDF)](https://www.oakbay.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/4371-Refuse-Collection-and-Disposal.pdf) (read 2026-11-06)
- [Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw No. 4846, 2023 (consolidated) (PDF)](https://www.oakbay.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Bylaw-4846-Municipal-Ticket-Info-Consolidate.pdf) (read 2026-11-06)

_Checked by script, not yet by a person: the official wording behind 7 of 7 facts was matched to the official text. Gov Handbook is an independent guide, not affiliated with District of Oak Bay. How answers are checked: https://govhandbook.com/methods/ · Canonical page: https://govhandbook.com/ca/bc/oak-bay/garbage-collection/_