How to get rid of a couch in Los Angeles County, CA

Researched 2026-11-01 from official sources. Programs change, so confirm with the program before you go.

Short answer: Most people in Los Angeles County can get rid of a couch for free by booking a bulky item pickup with their trash service. In the City of Los Angeles, LA Sanitation picks up couches and other furniture at no extra charge on your regular trash day if you book at least one business day ahead (online, in the MyLA311 app, or at 1-800-773-2489). In Long Beach and unincorporated LA County, your city or hauler offers free pickups too. If the couch is still in good shape, donating it is the first choice.

Don't put a couch on the sidewalk without a scheduled pickup: that counts as illegal dumping.

1. City of Los Angeles: free bulky item pickup

LA Sanitation (LASAN) calls this an unlimited curbside service at no additional charge for the residents it serves. Furniture, including couches, tables and chairs, is on its list of accepted items.

When: on your regular trash day. Book at least one business day before your normal collection.
How to book: LASAN's online Service Request Form, the MyLA311 app, or the 24-hour Customer Care Center at 1-800-773-2489. MyLA311 also answers at 311 or (213) 473-3231.
Tip from LASAN: have an itemized list ready (for example "one couch, two chairs") so they send the right-sized truck.
Not accepted at the curb: auto parts and oil, construction materials, commercial appliances, paint and chemicals, medicines and needles, fluorescent lights, and cardboard unless you've booked a move-in/move-out service.

Schedule a bulky item pickup – LA Sanitation

2. City of LA free drop-off Saturdays

If you'd rather haul the couch yourself, LASAN opens five yards once a month, 8:00 am to 4:30 pm, for free bulky item drop-off. The remaining 2026 dates are Saturday, November 21 and Saturday, December 12.

Area	Address
East Valley	11050 Pendleton St, Sun Valley 91352
West Valley	8840 Vanalden Ave, Northridge
Harbor	1400 N Gaffey St, San Pedro 90731
West LA	2027 Stoner Ave, Los Angeles 90025
Central LA	2201 E Washington Blvd, Los Angeles 90021

Our LA County mattress guide notes that LASAN's event flyer asks for proof of City of LA residency, such as a current LADWP bill plus a California ID. Call 1-800-773-2489 to confirm before you go. Drop-off dates and locations – LA Sanitation

3. Long Beach: special collections

The City of Long Beach gives each City-serviced refuse account 12 special collections per calendar year at no additional cost, and furniture qualifies. Book online through the City's Special Collection Request form or call (562) 570-2876.

A couch is usually an oversized item (the size limit is 72 × 48 inches), so tell the City it's a sofa when you schedule.
Each pickup takes up to 8 large items or 25 bags, bundles or boxes, and you can use two free pickups on the same day.
Put the couch at your normal collection spot by 6 a.m. on the confirmed day, and not before that day. Crews can't go onto private property.
Wrap any glass (tabletops, mirrors) or it won't be collected.

Special Collection 101 – City of Long Beach

4. Unincorporated LA County and other cities

LA County Public Works says to call your waste hauler and ask for a "bulky item pickup". The phone number should be on your bill or on the side of your bins. If you don't know your hauler, enter your address in the County's Service Locator (linked from the FAQ below) or call (888) CLEAN-LA (1-888-253-2652). LA County Public Works – FAQ

Public Works says most residents in unincorporated areas get up to four free pickups a year for eligible bulky items, including old couches. CleanLA – Keeping LA County Clean

If you live in one of the county's other incorporated cities (Pasadena, Glendale, Santa Clarita and so on), call your city or its trash hauler. The number of free pickups and any fees depend on your city.

5. Donate it if it's still usable

LA Sanitation and Long Beach both ask residents to consider donating furniture that's in good shape to a thrift store or charity, or listing it on a community exchange app, before scheduling a pickup. Call the charity first: many have their own rules about furniture condition and pickup.

6. Don't leave it on the curb unscheduled

A couch left on a sidewalk or alley without a booked pickup is illegal dumping. StreetsLA says it is a crime to dump waste on any public or private road or property, and LA's Municipal Code also lets the City fine sidewalk obstructions starting at $50. StreetsLA – Public Right-of-Way

The LA City Controller's audit of illegal dumping says Municipal Code infractions carry fines of up to $200 for a first violation and $250 for a second, misdemeanors up to $1,000 and up to six months in jail, plus cleanup costs. State Penal Code fines for infractions run $250–$1,000 for a first violation. LA City Controller – Illegal dumping audit

Someone else dumped a couch near you? In the City of LA, report it through MyLA311 or 1-800-773-2489. In unincorporated LA County, use Public Works' online report, The Works app, email [email protected], or call (888) CLEAN-LA. CleanLA – Illegal Dumping

FAQ

Is couch pickup really free in Los Angeles? For City of LA residents served by LA Sanitation, yes. LASAN describes bulky item pickup as unlimited, at no additional charge. Long Beach accounts get 12 free special collections a year, and most unincorporated-county residents get up to four.

How soon can LA Sanitation pick up my couch? On your next regular trash day, as long as you book at least one business day before it.

Can I take a couch to the dump myself? Yes. Use the free City of LA drop-off Saturdays above, or see the landfills and transfer stations on our Los Angeles County facility list. Gate fees and whether a site takes self-haul furniture vary, so call ahead or check the operator's site.

What we couldn't verify

Gate fees for dropping a couch at a landfill or transfer station in LA County. They vary by site. Call ahead or check the operator's site.
Bulky pickup rules for each of the county's other cities. Call your city or hauler.
Whether a particular charity will take or pick up your couch. Call the charity first.