Free curb and bulky item pickup by city
Which cities pick up couches, mattresses and other bulky items at the curb, how often, how to book and what the limits are. Every fact links to the official city source checked on 2026-10-22.
Below is a side by side look at curbside bulky item pickup in each city we cover. Numbers in brackets link to the official city source for that fact. Rules change often, so confirm with your city before you set anything out.
| City | Free curbside pickup? | Schedule | How to book | Item limits | Mattresses |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles, CA | Yes. LASAN calls it an unlimited curbside service at no additional charge. [1] | Picked up on your regular trash day. Schedule at least one business day before. [1] | Online Service Request Form, MyLA311 app or 1-800-773-2489 (24 hours). [1] | No item cap stated ("unlimited"). Hazardous and construction materials are prohibited. [1] | Accepted: mattresses and box springs. [1] |
| Houston, TX | Included for eligible homes with City curbside service. The City page lists no fee. [1] | Every other month on an assigned day, up to six collections per year. [1] | No booking. Look up your day with the City's online lookup tool or the HTX Collects app. [1] [2] | Up to 8 cubic yards per set-out (about a minivan). [1] | Accepted: mattresses and box springs. [1] |
| Phoenix, AZ | Curbside bulk pickup by appointment. The City page lists no fee for appointments. [1] | Appointment only, four collection opportunities per year. [1] | Online scheduler at phoenix.gov/bulktrash or 602-262-6251, at least 3 business days ahead. [1] | One pile up to 10 cubic yards per residence. [1] [2] | Unclear. Call 602-262-6251 before setting one out (see below). [1] [3] |
| New York City, NY | Yes. Free curbside removal of bulk items from residential buildings. [1] | On your regular collection days. Appointments are no longer offered. [1] | No booking. Look up your collection days for your address. [1] [3] | Up to 6 items per collection day. [1] [2] | Accepted if sealed in a plastic bag (any color but red or orange). [2] |
Los Angeles, CA
Who it's for
- The pickup page is listed under LASAN's services for single family residents, meaning homes with 1 to 4 units serviced by LASAN. [1]
Schedule and booking
- Bulky items are collected on your regular trash day. You must request pickup at least one business day before your normal collection. [1]
- Three ways to schedule: the online Service Request Form, the MyLA311 app (Android or iPhone) or the 24 hour Customer Care Center at 1-800-773-2489. [1]
- Have an itemized list ready, for example one mattress, two chairs and a desk, so the right truck is sent. [1]
What is and isn't taken
- Taken: furniture (couches, tables, chairs), mattresses and box springs, toilets and sinks, carpet (rolled and tied), large wood pieces or doors and electronic waste (TVs, computers, monitors). [1]
- Not taken: automotive parts or used oil, construction materials (concrete, bricks, dirt), commercial appliances, paints, solvents or chemicals, medicines or needles, fluorescent lights and cardboard (unless you have a scheduled Move In/Move Out service). [1]
Free drop-off alternative
- Once a month LASAN opens five yards for free bulky item drop-off, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Remaining 2026 Saturdays: Nov 21 and Dec 12. [1]
Houston, TX
Who it's for
- Occupied residential units receiving City of Houston services. Not available to multi-residential buildings with more than eight units. [1]
Schedule and set-out
- Heavy trash is collected every other month, up to six curbside collections per calendar year. Each home has an assigned collection day. [1]
- Find your day with the City's service lookup tool or the HTX Collects mobile app. [1] [2]
- Set items out between 6:00 PM the Friday before and 7:00 AM on your collection day, just behind the curb line. Not in the street or on sidewalks. [1]
Limits
- Maximum 8 cubic yards per set-out. Up to 4 cubic yards of resident generated building material (no shingles, brick, plaster or concrete). Contractor debris is not collected. [1]
- Up to four passenger tires may go at the curb; they may take up to a week to be picked up. [1]
- If allowed and not allowed items are mixed, the whole pile may be refused. [1]
What is and isn't taken
- Taken: household furniture, carpet (secured or bundled), mattresses and box springs, toilets, bicycles and toys, stoves, washers, dryers and water heaters. Refrigerators and freezers only with a certified technician's tag showing refrigerant was removed. [1]
- Not taken: bagged household garbage, electronics, paint and chemicals, dirt and sod, roofing materials or shingles and contractor construction or demolition debris. [1]
Phoenix, AZ
Schedule and booking
- Bulk trash is collected by appointment only. Book with the online scheduler or call 602-262-6251. [1]
- Appointments can be made as late as 3 business days ahead and as far as one year ahead. Most areas have openings within a couple of weeks. [1]
- Customers get four collection opportunities each year. Cancel at least two business days ahead and it won't count against your four. [1]
- Don't set items out more than 7 days before your appointment (a city ordinance violation). Have them out by 5:30 AM on the appointment date. [1] [3]
- The scheduler blocks Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day plus the 7 days after each. [1]
- Some neighborhoods have a community or HOA appointment already set; check before booking. [1]
Limits
- One pile no larger than 10 cubic yards per residence, within 5 feet of the street or curb and at least 5 feet from fixed objects. The flyer gives the size as smaller than 17 feet long by 4 feet wide by 4 feet high. [1] [2]
- Phoenix City Code Sec. 27-22 still states a 20 cubic yard limit. The City's current page and flyer say 10, so plan on 10. [1] [3]
- Not taken: tires, appliances that use refrigerants, household hazardous waste, loose yard waste, more than 2 wooden pallets, bricks, concrete, dirt or rocks, glass such as windows and mirrors and community piles combined from several households. [1]
Mattresses
- The City's bulk trash page names furniture, small appliances and toilets as typical bulk trash but does not mention mattresses. [1]
- Phoenix City Code Sec. 27-22(I) lists "all mattresses or furniture" among items not acceptable for normal residential collection. [3]
- Because these official sources don't agree, call 602-262-6251 before putting a mattress out, or see our Phoenix page for the free monthly transfer station drop-off. [1] [3]
- City of Phoenix: Bulk Trash
- City of Phoenix: Appointment Bulk Trash flyer (PDF)
- Phoenix City Code Sec. 27-22
New York City, NY
Schedule and set-out
- Pickup appointments are no longer offered and cannot be scheduled. Set items out between 6 PM and midnight the night before your collection day. [1]
- Metal or rigid plastic items go out the night before your recycling day. All other non-recyclable items go out the night before your bulk trash ("large item") collection day. [1]
- Look up the collection schedule for your address with DSNY's lookup tool. [1] [3]
- Don't put items in the street, in front of another property or where they block pedestrians. Items left on private property can't be picked up. [1]
Limits and special items
- Up to 6 items at the curb per collection day. With many items, spread them over several collection days. [1]
- Refrigerators, freezers, air conditioners, dehumidifiers and water coolers need a CFC removal appointment first. [1]
- TVs, computers and other e-waste can't go in the trash. [1]
- Empty water heaters of 50 gallons or less can go out for bulk collection. [1]
- Major renovation or contractor debris needs a private carter or dumpster. [1]
Mattresses and box springs
- Mattresses, box springs and futons go out with trash, 6 PM to midnight the evening before your bulk trash collection day. [2]
- They must be sealed in a plastic bag of any color except red or orange. The City does not provide bags; department stores, home improvement stores and moving supply centers sell them. [2]
- Improperly set out mattresses won't be collected and can be fined $50 for a first offense, $100 for a second and $200 for a third or later. [2]