Bear Proof Guide
BEAR PROOFGUIDE
Law & Regulation · From the code

Which Cities and Towns Require Bear-Proof Trash Cans?

A searchable list of local rules about bear-resistant trash containers, with the section number, the container standard each code names, and a link to the code itself.

6 min read · Updated Nov 5, 2026
A row of dark metal bear-resistant trash enclosures along the curb of a snowy residential street, with lit wooden houses and snow-covered mountains behind
Illustrative image, AI-generated.
On this page5 sections

The list: what each code requires

Each row is a paraphrase of the code section named in it, last checked Nov 5, 2026. Where the text did not state a penalty or a container standard, the row says so. This is not legal advice; ordinances change, so confirm with your town before relying on a row. State-level rules are on our bear trash and feeding laws by state page.

Showing 13 of 13 places. Each row last checked Nov 5, 2026.

  • Anchorage, AK

    Container required
    What it requires
    In a designated zone, every trash container must be bear-resistant, or the trash must be kept in a house, garage, shed, or similar structure at least as secure. Haulers must offer bear-resistant containers in more than one size. Citywide, containers need tight-fitting covers and must be retrieved by 9:00 p.m. on collection day; locked bear-resistant containers may go out up to 12 hours early.Where: Inside Secure Trash Regulation Zones that the Assembly designates by resolution. Rules on lids and storage apply citywide.
    Container standard
    Bear-resistant means certified by the Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee (IGBC), or an equivalent or greater standard certified by the waste hauler.
    Penalty
    $100 first offense in a calendar year, $250 second, $500 third and later (fine schedule in AMC 14.60.030). In a zone, the first fine may be waived if the violator gets a bear-resistant container before the next scheduled service.
    Section
    AMC ch. 15.110, §§ 15.110.030 to 15.110.070 (AO 2019-74)
    Not confirmed
    We did not read the resolutions that name the zones. Check the Municipality of Anchorage for the current zone map.
    Last checked Nov 5, 2026

  • Juneau, AK

    Secure-attractants rule
    What it requires
    No property owner or person in charge may create or maintain a “bear attraction nuisance,” such as more than a half-gallon of putrescible material, or soiled disposable diapers, outside. Exempt: a garbage can set out for collection after 4:00 a.m. on collection day; material fully enclosed in a structure or container that requires hands or tools to open; and a dumpster with a bear-resistant metal lid and device, or behind barriers able to withstand a bear. The container and structure exemptions end if the setup has been proven ineffective three or more times in 30 days.
    Container standard
    No certification named. The text uses “requires hands or tools to open” and, for dumpsters, a “bear-resistant metal lid fastened with a bear-resistant device.”
    Penalty
    The section sets the classification only: class A or B misdemeanor depending on the person's mental state, otherwise a violation with a civil fine; each day is a separate offense. The city's bear page says $50 for a first offense.
    Section
    CBJ Code § 36.20.056, Bear attraction nuisance
    Not confirmed
    This is not a rule that every household use a bear-resistant can. We did not read the bail schedule behind the $50 figure.
    Last checked Nov 5, 2026

  • Truckee, CA

    Secure-attractants rule
    What it requires
    Customers must keep solid waste securely stored in cans, carts, bins, or bear sheds, tightly covered and secure against access by wildlife. Businesses generating 2 or more cubic yards of commercial waste must put recyclable food waste in franchisee-provided wildlife-resistant carts or bins, unless exempted. Bear sheds are optional for residents; new ones must meet construction specifications in the code.
    Container standard
    No certification named. The text says “wildlife-resistant cart” and “secure against access by wildlife.”
    Penalty
    No dollar amount in this section. A warning notice is issued for a first violation; after a second violation the customer may be required to buy a bear shed or wildlife-resistant cart.
    Section
    Town of Truckee Municipal Code § 6.01.040, Receptacles (subsections D, E, F)
    Not confirmed
    We read the Town's Title 6 PDF and could not confirm it is the latest codified version. We did not read the general fine schedule in chapter 1.02.
    Last checked Nov 5, 2026

  • Aspen, CO

    Container required
    What it requires
    No one may keep a wildlife-accessible refuse container or attractant outside on the property or adjacent right-of-way. Containers left outside must be an approved wildlife-resistant container, wildlife-proof container, or wildlife-resistant dumpster enclosure. Curbside containers may go out at or after 6:00 a.m. on pickup day and must be removed by 7:00 p.m. Damaged containers must be repaired within 72 hours of written notice.
    Container standard
    Wildlife-resistant: Living With Wildlife Foundation testing and IGBC approval as bear resistant for 90 minutes. Wildlife-proof: IGBC passing rating for 60 minutes. Both definitions also allow approval by a city-designated official.
    Penalty
    The chapter refers to the general penalty provisions of the code (§ 1.04.080). The city's bear page lists $250, $500, then $1,000 for successive offenses.
    Section
    Municipal Code ch. 12.08, Wildlife Protection (§§ 12.08.010, .020, .040, .100)
    Last checked Nov 5, 2026

  • Boulder, CO

    Container required
    What it requires
    Owners, property managers, lessees of a whole premises, and adult occupants of detached homes, duplexes, triplexes, and fourplexes must keep refuse attractants in bear-resistant enclosures or containers, or inside a house, garage, shed, or equally secure structure, except while being taken out for pickup. Bear-resistant containers may be set out from 8:00 p.m. the evening before pickup; all containers must be removed by 9:00 p.m. on collection day.Where: West of Broadway and south of a line extended west from Sumac Avenue through Wonderland Lake Park, within city limits. The city manager may extend the area by rule.
    Container standard
    The code defers to requirements set by the city manager in a rule. The code text itself names no IGBC standard; the city's own page describes fully enclosed containers with an IGBC passing rating.
    Penalty
    Civil penalty of $100 first violation, $250 second, $500 third, plus the general penalties in § 5-2-4.
    Section
    Boulder Revised Code § 6-3-12 (definitions in § 6-3-2; set-out hours in § 6-3-5(a)(9))
    Not confirmed
    We did not read the city manager's rule that sets the container requirements.
    Last checked Nov 5, 2026

  • Colorado Springs, CO

    Container required
    What it requires
    All attractant waste must be secured in a functioning bear resistant container, secured structure, or secured dumpster enclosure at all times. Non-bear-resistant containers may be at the collection location only on collection day, from 5:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Recycling bins are not required to be bear-resistant. The city says the rule took effect March 1, 2020.Where: The Bear Management Area, generally west of I-25 and shown on the city's map.
    Container standard
    “Functioning bear resistant container” in the code section; the city's ordinance page describes certified bear-resistant containers.
    Penalty
    Administrative fees of $100 first violation, $250 second, $500 third and later.
    Section
    City Code § 6.4.107 (area: § 6.4.106; fees: § 6.4.109)
    Last checked Nov 5, 2026

  • Durango, CO

    Required after a violation
    What it requires
    All trash and recycling containers citywide must be secured or stored so wildlife cannot get in. Residences in the two mapped areas must use a city-provided wildlife-resistant container. Elsewhere, a first wildlife-scattering-trash violation triggers delivery of a container to the property. Containers may be set out no earlier than 6:00 a.m. and must be removed by 8:00 p.m. on collection day.Where: Citywide for securing trash. Two mapped residential areas were required to have city-provided wildlife-resistant containers, with deadlines in 2018 and 2019.
    Container standard
    Wildlife-resistant refuse container: fully enclosed, with a design and construction approved by the city manager or designee. Dumpster enclosures must meet Living with Wildlife Foundation testing. No IGBC reference.
    Penalty
    Initial violation: container delivery with a $100 delivery fee and the monthly container rate. After delivery, $100 for the next violation and $200 for each additional one, plus abatement costs.
    Section
    Code of Ordinances §§ 10-47 and 10-48 (O-2013-1; O-2018-6, adopted Apr. 17, 2018)
    Not confirmed
    The city's wildlife page gives set-out hours that differ from the code (6:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.); the code controls.
    Last checked Nov 5, 2026

  • Estes Park, CO

    Container required
    What it requires
    Refuse outside an enclosed structure must be in a wildlife resistant container or enclosure, for residences (§ 7.20.040) and for commercial establishments and vacation rentals (§ 7.20.060). Residents with curbside pickup may use a hard-sided container only if it is out no earlier than 6:00 a.m. and removed before 7:00 p.m. on pickup day. Commercial and vacation-rental hard-sided containers of 95 gallons or less are excepted if emptied by 10:00 p.m. daily or under overnight removal contract.
    Container standard
    Wildlife resistant containers must meet Living with Wildlife Foundation testing and a “passing” IGBC rating as bear resistant for 60 minutes.
    Penalty
    Subject to the general penalty provision of the Estes Park code; chapter 7.20 states no amount.
    Section
    Municipal Code ch. 7.20 (Ord. 12-15, adopted Sept. 8, 2015; amended by Ord. 14-17)
    Last checked Nov 5, 2026

  • Ridgway, CO

    Container required
    What it requires
    All refuse cans and containers must be animal-resistant, except large temporary roll-off containers and containers used for yard trimmings. Common dumpsters must be animal-resistant and screened by fencing. Haulers may supply only compliant containers. Damaged containers must be repaired within 72 hours of written notice.
    Container standard
    Fully enclosed, with a sturdy latching lid; must meet Living With Wildlife Foundation testing and a passing IGBC rating as bear resistant for 60 minutes.
    Penalty
    No fine stated in the section. Non-compliant cans need not be emptied, and charges remain due.
    Section
    Code of Ordinances § 9-2-4(D) (also § 9-2-1(C); Ord. 2-2018)
    Last checked Nov 5, 2026

  • Telluride, CO

    Container required
    What it requires
    Every refuse container that receives refuse attractive to bears or other wildlife must be an approved wildlife-resistant container, or be stored inside a building, house, garage, or approved wildlife-resistant enclosure. Either way it must be locked at all times except when empty or being filled. Poly-carts are mandated for residential premises, up to 96 gallons; dumpsters must be metal with a lockable lid. Containers go out by 7:30 a.m. and must be removed by 7:30 p.m. on collection day.
    Container standard
    A heavy-duty, animal-resistant poly-cart with an attached lockable, reinforced lid (at least a two-latch mechanism) or a fully enclosed metal dumpster with a lockable lid, approved by the Town Manager or designee. No IGBC or other certification is named.
    Penalty
    § 7-5-620 has two schedules: $50 first and $250 second for violations of the article generally, and $250, $500, then a summons for violations of §§ 7-5-510 and 7-5-550 (uncontained refuse; failure to use or lock containers).
    Section
    Municipal Code § 7-5-120(b), Containers required (definitions § 7-1-10; penalties § 7-5-620)
    Not confirmed
    The code does not say in one sentence which schedule applies to a container violation; § 7-5-550 appears to cover it.
    Last checked Nov 5, 2026

  • Missoula, MT

    Container required
    What it requires
    Garbage may not be stored where a bear or other animal can reach it. It must be kept in bear-resistant containers or enclosures. Containers a commercial hauler supplies must be bear-resistant unless they sit in a bear-resistant enclosure the hauler can reach directly. Commercial, governmental, and institutional entities may instead use a written waste management plan approved by Montana FWP.Where: The mapped Missoula Bear Buffer Zone, phased in by area; all areas of the zone were covered as of April 30, 2026. A separate, parallel rule covers the Potomac Bear Mitigation Zone.
    Container standard
    A fully enclosed container with a lid and latching mechanism, certified by the IGBC or approved by a Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks bear management team biologist.
    Penalty
    No penalty provision in the regulation we read.
    Section
    Missoula City-County Health Code, Reg. 3 (Solid Waste Management), § 10 (effective Nov. 16, 2023)
    Not confirmed
    This is a health-code regulation adopted by the county and the city, not a city ordinance. We did not read the zone maps or check for later amendments.
    Last checked Nov 5, 2026

  • Whitefish, MT

    Container required
    What it requires
    Residents must store solid waste in securely latched animal-resistant containers or keep containers inside a home, garage, or other animal-resistant enclosure. Businesses that produce food scraps, such as restaurants, bars, and grocery stores, must use animal-resistant containers year-round. Containers may go to the right-of-way no earlier than 4:00 a.m. and must be returned and relatched by 7:00 p.m. on pickup day.
    Container standard
    “Animal resistant containers,” with no certification or test standard defined in the text we read.
    Penalty
    A violation is a misdemeanor or a municipal infraction with a civil penalty, at the city's election; each day is a separate violation. The text states no amounts.
    Section
    City Code § 4-2-4(A), Animal Resistant Containers (added by Ord. 14-20, Jan. 5, 2015)
    Not confirmed
    The code chapter PDF we read dates from 2021, so later changes are possible.
    Last checked Nov 5, 2026

  • Gatlinburg, TN

    Container required
    What it requires
    Properties in the zone must have animal-resistant garbage containers, or containers of a design approved by the city's Public Works Department. Containers kept inside an enclosed structure that scavenging animals cannot enter are not covered.Where: A mapped zone, expanded in September 2023, plus all restaurants within city limits.
    Container standard
    “Animal-resistant,” or a design approved by Public Works. No certification list is named on the city's page.
    Penalty
    The city says violations of the ordinance carry a fine and court costs of $113.75.
    Section
    Ordinance 2188 (established the zone); expanded by a September 2023 ordinance
    Not confirmed
    We read the city's program page, not the current code text, so we cannot give a current code section number or the number of the 2023 ordinance.
    Last checked Nov 5, 2026

How these rules differ from town to town

  • Where it applies. Estes Park, Ridgway, Telluride, and Whitefish apply their rules across the town. Colorado Springs, Boulder, Anchorage, Gatlinburg, and Missoula apply theirs inside mapped areas, so your address matters. Check the map your town publishes.
  • Container or storage. Several codes let you keep trash inside a house, garage, or shed instead of using a resistant container, usually with set-out hours on collection day.
  • What counts as resistant. Estes Park, Ridgway, and Aspen write Living with Wildlife Foundation testing and an IGBC rating into the definition. Anchorage and Missoula refer to IGBC certification, each with an alternative approval route. Telluride, Durango, and Gatlinburg lean on a town-approved design. Truckee and Whitefish name no standard in the text we read. For how certification works, see our certified products page.
  • Penalties. Where a code states amounts, Colorado Springs, Boulder, and Anchorage each use $100, $250, then $500 for successive violations, and Gatlinburg cites $113.75 including court costs. Many codes state no dollar amount in the section that sets the rule.

Places people ask about that are not in the table

We left these out because we did not find a container requirement in the code we read. That is a statement about what we read, not a finding that no rule exists.

  • Asheville and Buncombe County, NC. In Asheville's solid waste chapter we found rules for covered containers and curbside set-out on collection day, with no bear-resistant standard. Buncombe County's animal chapter treats attracting bears or wild animals as a nuisance. Separately, the NC Wildlife Resources Commission adopted a rule for Buncombe County that bans feeding black bears and placing attractants, effective October 19, 2026. See the North Carolina entry on our state laws page.
  • Bozeman, MT. The city's solid waste page offers bear-resistant totes and advises securing garbage, but we could not read the municipal code, so we cannot say whether a requirement exists.

Quick answers

Of the 13 places in our table, Colorado Springs, Boulder, Aspen, Estes Park, Ridgway, Telluride, Anchorage, Gatlinburg, Missoula, and Whitefish have rules that require bear-, wildlife-, or animal-resistant containers or equivalent storage. Durango requires them after a violation, and Juneau and Truckee have secure-your-attractants rules. Several of these apply only inside a mapped area.

Need a container that fits your local rule?

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Dataset last checked November 5, 2026. We read each code or official page directly and paraphrase it; the source controls if our summary differs.

Sources

Read directly from the publisher and last checked November 5, 2026.

  1. Anchorage, AK: Anchorage Municipal Code ch. 15.110, Trash Handling · Municipality of Anchorage (ecode360)
  2. Juneau, AK: CBJ Code § 36.20.056, Bear attraction nuisance · City and Borough of Juneau (Municode)
  3. Juneau, AK: City and Borough of Juneau, Bears · City and Borough of Juneau
  4. Truckee, CA: Town of Truckee Municipal Code, Title 6 Health and Sanitation (PDF) · Town of Truckee
  5. Aspen, CO: Aspen Municipal Code, Title 12, ch. 12.08 · City of Aspen (Municode)
  6. Aspen, CO: City of Aspen, Bears (penalty schedule) · City of Aspen
  7. Boulder, CO: Boulder Revised Code ch. 6-3, Trash, Recyclables and Compost · City of Boulder (Municode)
  8. Colorado Springs, CO: Colorado Springs City Code §§ 6.4.106 to 6.4.109 · City of Colorado Springs (American Legal Publishing)
  9. Colorado Springs, CO: City of Colorado Springs, Bear management and resistant trash ordinance · City of Colorado Springs
  10. Durango, CO: Durango Code of Ordinances ch. 10, §§ 10-47 and 10-48 · City of Durango (Municode)
  11. Estes Park, CO: Estes Park Municipal Code, Title 7, ch. 7.20 Wildlife Protection · Town of Estes Park (Municode)
  12. Ridgway, CO: Ridgway Code of Ordinances ch. 9, § 9-2 · Town of Ridgway (Municode)
  13. Ridgway, CO: Town of Ridgway, Animal-Resistant Containers Ordinance · Town of Ridgway
  14. Telluride, CO: Telluride Municipal Code § 7-5-120 and related sections · Town of Telluride (Municode)
  15. Missoula, MT: Missoula City-County Health Code, Regulation 3, Solid Waste (PDF) · Missoula City-County Health Department
  16. Missoula, MT: Missoula Public Health, Bears and wildlife · Missoula City-County Health Department
  17. Whitefish, MT: Whitefish City Code ch. 4-2, Solid Waste (PDF) · City of Whitefish
  18. Whitefish, MT: Whitefish Ordinance 14-20 (PDF) · City of Whitefish
  19. Gatlinburg, TN: City of Gatlinburg, Black Bear Management Program · City of Gatlinburg
  20. Asheville Code of Ordinances ch. 15, Solid Waste · City of Asheville (American Legal Publishing)
  21. Buncombe County Code of Ordinances ch. 6, Animals · Buncombe County (Municode)
  22. NCWRC, Negligently Feeding or Attracting Bears Temporary Rule Change · North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission
  23. Bear Resistant Containers · City of Bozeman