The six locations and hours
According to the City of Houston Residential Drop-Off Centers page, the centers are open Tuesday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and closed Sunday and Monday. The city asks you to arrive at least 30 minutes before closing so there's time to unload.
- North: 9003 N Main, 77022
- Northwest: 14400 Sommermeyer, 77041
- Northeast: 5565 Kirkpatrick, 77028
- Southeast: 2240 Central Street, 77017
- South: 5100 Sunbeam, 77033
- Southwest: 10785 SW Freeway, 77074
Older city notices list different days and hours, including Sunday openings. The current depository page is the one to follow. Call 3-1-1 if a holiday is coming up.
Checked October 2026. Hours, fees, residency rules and accepted items change, sometimes with little notice. Call the site or check its official page before you load up.
Who can use them and what to bring
The centers are for Houston residents, and you can use them up to four times a month (once a week). To drop off bulk waste or tree waste, the city requires:
- A current Texas-issued ID (driver's license, DPS ID, LTC or consulate ID), and
- A current City of Houston utility bill or lease agreement. The address on both documents must match.
If your primary home is outside Texas, the city asks for a current property tax bill in the same name as your ID. For recycling only, a Texas ID is enough. See bringing proof of residency for general tips.
Allowed vehicles
The city allows pickup trucks and small trailers up to 10 feet long with sideboards up to 4 feet high. It doesn't allow U-Hauls, box trucks, Sprinter vans, contractor vehicles, dump trailers, trailers longer than 10 feet, or a loaded truck bed and a trailer together. If you planned on a rental box truck, read when sites refuse rental box trucks first.
What they take, and what they don't
Accepted (per the city page): mattresses; tree waste, with leaves in compostable bags; junk waste, with loose items like shingles bagged; furniture, limited to two large items such as couches; refrigerators, with a tag showing the Freon was removed; household appliances; common recyclables; aerosol cans; up to 5 passenger tires per visit and 10 a month; and up to 5 quarts of used motor oil.
Limits: contractor-type materials such as sheetrock, tile, lumber, carpet and cabinets are capped at 4 cubic yards, about 8 contractor bags. Fencing and shelving have to be fully broken down. No stumps or limbs over 9 inches in diameter.
Not accepted: household garbage and food waste, rocks, dirt, bricks, concrete, TVs, truck tires, paint, chemicals, fertilizers, gasoline, liquids of any kind, pallets, hot ashes and burned materials. For chemicals, see what counts as household hazardous waste.
On site
You unload your own load, and the city asks you to keep it to about 20 minutes. Children under 16 stay in the vehicle, no pets are allowed even inside the vehicle, the speed limit is 5 mph, and scavenging is prohibited. Bring gloves and tarp your load. See covered-load rules.
The drop-off centers are free for eligible residents. If you're not eligible or have a load they won't take, a private landfill or transfer station will charge by weight or volume. The dump fee calculator can estimate that bill, and the Dumpmapper map shows nearby options.
Houston Trash Drop-Off Locations FAQ
Is the Houston dump free?
The city's Residential Drop-Off Centers don't charge Houston residents with the required ID and proof of address, within the four-visits-a-month limit and the material limits.
What ID do I need for a Houston drop-off center?
For bulk or tree waste, a current Texas-issued ID plus a current City of Houston utility bill or lease, with matching addresses. A Texas ID alone is enough for recycling only.
Can I bring a U-Haul to a Houston drop-off center?
No. The city lists U-Hauls, box trucks, Sprinter vans and dump trailers as vehicles that aren't allowed.
Do Houston drop-off centers take household garbage?
No. Garbage and food waste are on the not-accepted list. They take bulk junk, furniture, appliances, tree waste and recyclables.
When are Houston drop-off centers open?
The city page lists Tuesday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., closed Sunday and Monday. Arrive at least 30 minutes before closing.
The bottom line
Bring a Texas ID and a matching Houston utility bill or lease, use a pickup or a trailer under 10 feet, and break down bulky items before you go. Household garbage stays on the curb. For other free options, see free trash dump near me.
Gear for your dump run
Affiliate disclosure: The links in this section are Amazon affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, Dumpmapper earns from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you. We don't list prices or ratings here because they change. Check them on Amazon.
- AmazonCommercial heavy-duty 16-mil poly tarp: Covers the load so nothing blows out on the highway, and helps you avoid the uncovered-load fee many sites charge.
- Rhino USA 1-inch ratchet tie-down straps (4-pack): Holds the tarp and bulky items like furniture in place in a pickup bed or trailer.
- Wells Lamont 3300 leather-palm work gloves: Most drop-off sites are self-unload, so protect your hands from splinters, nails and sharp edges.
Hauling it yourself? If the load won’t fit in the truck bed, a 6×10 ft open-rail utility trailer or a 4×8 ft folding trailer (it folds upright to store in a garage) can cost less than a couple of hauler trips. Tie everything down with ratchet tie-down straps; many sites charge extra for loose or uncovered loads. Bag loose debris in 55-gallon contractor bags so it’s quicker to unload.
Guides and tools
Dump fee calculator · Find a dump near you · Trash Drop Off Near Me · Bringing Proof of Residency · Sprint Fort Bend County Landfill · All material guides
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