How to get rid of a couch in Sacramento, CA

Book a free Household Junk Pickup through Sac311. Furniture is accepted. Heads up: the City stops taking free junk appointments in mid- to late October for leaf season, so from now until February you may need a fee-based pickup ($39.48 minimum) or a drop-off.

Last checked against the official City of Sacramento Recycling & Solid Waste website. See sources.

Cost
Free (2 junk appointments a year, Feb to Oct)
How
Request through Sac311, the app, or 3-1-1
Right now
Free junk appointments pause mid-October to January

Timing note (checked Oct 21, 2026): the City says free Household Junk appointments are not offered from mid-October through January because the same crews handle leaf season. Fee-based junk pickups may be available through City Utility Billing. Appliance pickups run year-round.

Option 1: City pickup (Household Junk Pickup and Appliance & E-Waste Pickup)

Who can use it

  • For City of Sacramento residential collection customers, including tenants of single-family homes and duplexes.
  • Tenants in buildings with 5 or more units that are not served by City collection should ask their landlord, property manager or hauler.

How to book

  1. Submit a service request at sac311.org, use the Sac311 app, or call 3-1-1 ((916) 264-5011).
  2. List exactly which items you will set out.
  3. Junk and appliances need separate appointments and will likely be picked up on different days.
  4. Cancel or reschedule by 5:00 p.m. two business days before. A no-show still counts as one of your free pickups.
  5. Used your free pickups, or need a junk pickup from November to January? Call City Utility Billing at (916) 808-5454. A special service pickup has a minimum fee of $39.48.

Couch rules

  • Furniture is on the accepted list for Household Junk Pickup.
  • Keep the pile within 4 x 4 x 9 feet, on the public street, 6 feet from parked cars.
  • Set it out no earlier than 24 hours before your appointment and by 6:00 a.m. that day.

Setting it out

  • Set items out no earlier than 24 hours before your appointment, and by 6:00 a.m. that day. Early set-outs may be fined.
  • Junk piles go on the public street, 6 feet from parked cars, not in an alley, driveway or on the curb, and must stay within 4 x 4 x 9 feet.
  • Appliances go in the street, visible and easy to reach.

Fees and limits

  • Two Household Junk appointments and two Appliance & E-Waste appointments per year are free.
  • Extra or off-season junk pickups: minimum fee of $39.48 through City Utility Billing. Oversized piles may cost extra.

Option 2: Drop it off yourself

  • The Sacramento Recycling and Transfer Station's rate sheet (dated Jan 1, 2025) lists furniture at $49 per piece. City customers can use the free dump coupon from the yearly service guide for one free load.
  • Sacramento Recycling and Transfer Station (operated by WM), 8491 Fruitridge Road, Sacramento, CA 95826. Open Monday to Saturday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Phone (916) 737-4880.
  • City Recycling & Solid Waste customers can use the free dump coupon mailed with the yearly service guide for one free load at 8491 Fruitridge Road.
  • The operator's posted gate rates (sheet dated Jan 1, 2025; subject to change) list a $72 minimum per load. Check current rates before you go.

Option 3: Donate or give it away

  • Habitat for Humanity of Greater Sacramento ReStore accepts gently used furniture, including sofas, that is clean and complete. It does not take items that are stained, torn, broken or heavily worn. Residential drop-offs are Wednesday to Saturday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., no appointment needed. See its donation page.

Donation rules are set by each charity and can change. Call before you load up.

What we could not confirm

  • Transfer station prices are from a January 2025 rate sheet and may have changed.
  • Transfer station prices come from the operator's rate sheet dated January 1, 2025. We could not find a newer sheet, so prices may have changed.

Common questions

Is couch pickup free in Sacramento?
Yes, for City residential customers, through one of two free Household Junk appointments offered February to October.
Can I get a couch picked up in November or December?
Free junk appointments are paused for leaf season. Call City Utility Billing at (916) 808-5454 about a fee-based special pickup (minimum $39.48).
When can I put the couch on the street?
No earlier than 24 hours before your appointment. Early set-outs may be fined.

Sources

Last checked Oct 21, 2026. We read each page below on that date.