4
bulk trash appointments per household each year
10 cu yd
maximum pile, about 17 by 4 by 4 feet
5:30 a.m.
pile must be in place by this time on your appointment day
Fees above the monthly allowance
City of Phoenix transfer stations, fees above the monthly allowance
Every route for a hot tub in Phoenix, checked in October 2026 against the city’s current rules and the drop-off sites named. The full Phoenix guide covers every other item.
Here is how each route works in Phoenix, starting with the city program and ending with paid pickup.
City of Phoenix appointment-based bulk trash: hot tubs
Not collectedA hot tub shell is a single item far over 25 pounds and 4 feet, which the bulk rules exclude. Drain it, break it into small sections if you can, or use a transfer station or a paid crew.
Why: Refrigerators, freezers, air conditioners and other refrigerant appliances, tires of any size, household hazardous waste (paint, oil, antifreeze, batteries, pool chemicals), glass such as windows, mirrors, shower doors, and fluorescent tubes, bricks, concrete, dirt, rocks, asphalt and roofing, construction debris over 25 pounds or 4 feet, metal or car parts over 20 pounds or 4 feet, more than 2 pallets, Bagster bags, loose yard clippings, and ordinary household trash.
City of Phoenix transfer stations: hot tubs
Fees above the monthly allowanceSelf-haul in sections, or hire a crew.
Where: 27th Avenue Transfer Station (3060 S. 27th Ave) and North Gateway Transfer Station (30205 N. Black Canyon Hwy)
How it works: For city solid waste customers with ID and a city services bill. Residents can self-haul household bulk, and the city allows a free monthly allowance by weight; check current limits. Tires (limited per year, rims off) and one refrigerant appliance per year are accepted under separate rules on the transfer station and appliance recycling pages.
Freemoval (free pickups through partner organizations)
FreeFreemoval funds free junk removal and cleanouts for households referred by trusted partner organizations, such as nonprofits, housing programs, and senior services. Families don’t apply directly. A partner submits the request and vouches for the need.
Status in Phoenix: Not yet available. Freemoval currently serves metro Atlanta and plans to expand nationwide.
How it works where it operates: One free pickup per household, covering hot tubs, furniture, appliances, and bulk household items within standard LoadUp marketplace service. Funded by LoadUp customer round-ups and direct contributions, spent at standard LoadUp rates.
If you run a nonprofit or housing program in Phoenix: you can start the conversation now through the For partners page.
Phoenix transformed its bulk pickup system in September 2024, replacing the old quarterly schedule with an appointment-based model. Each household now gets up to 4 free bulk pickups per calendar year (each up to 10 cubic yards), scheduled online or by calling 602-262-6251. Combined with the 27th Avenue Transfer Station, the appliance recycling program, and free annual refrigerant appliance drop-off, Phoenix residents have solid options, if they plan ahead. This page walks through every legitimate option in order from free to paid.
The Phoenix rule for hot tubs: A hot tub shell is a single item far over 25 pounds and 4 feet, which the bulk rules exclude. Drain it, break it into small sections if you can, or use a transfer station or a paid crew.
What the city will not take: Refrigerators, freezers, air conditioners and other refrigerant appliances, tires of any size, household hazardous waste (paint, oil, antifreeze, batteries, pool chemicals), glass such as windows, mirrors, shower doors, and fluorescent tubes, bricks, concrete, dirt, rocks, asphalt and roofing, construction debris over 25 pounds or 4 feet, metal or car parts over 20 pounds or 4 feet, more than 2 pallets, Bagster bags, loose yard clippings, and ordinary household trash.
How we checked this. The rules on this page were verified in October 2026 against: City of Phoenix Public Works: Bulk Trash (appointment-based), City of Phoenix: Appliance Recycling, City of Phoenix: Transfer Station Drop-off, City of Phoenix: Household Hazardous Waste Collection. Programs change; confirm fees and limits before you go.
Hazardous and regulated components in Phoenix. Phoenix hosts periodic Household Hazardous Waste collection events for residents. Check phoenix.gov for current dates and locations. Several retailers also offer ongoing free recycling: Home Depot for batteries and CFL bulbs, AutoZone for motor oil and car batteries, Best Buy for electronics, and most pharmacies for unused medications. Lead-acid batteries (car batteries) can be returned to AutoZone, O’Reilly, or any auto parts store for a small core refund. Putting hazardous waste in regular trash violates city ordinance and can result in fines.
Why hot tubs are different from ordinary bulk. Hot tubs combine multiple disposal challenges in one item: weight (a typical 6-person hot tub weighs 300 to 500 lbs empty, 3,000+ lbs filled), size (typically 7 to 8 ft square or larger), specialized utilities (220V electrical, dedicated plumbing connections), and assembly complexity (rigid acrylic shell, foam insulation, frame, decorative skirt, jets, pumps, heaters).
Three mistakes that get hot tubs left at the curb:
For households without time or equipment for DIY disassembly:
Specialized Hot Tub Removal Services
$300 to $1,200Many local junk removal companies have hot-tub-specific service lines. Search “hot tub removal [your city]” for specialists. Pricing ranges $300 to $1,200 depending on size, complexity (above-ground vs. in-ground), and access (basement hot tubs cost more due to stair handling). Always get 2 to 3 quotes, pricing varies dramatically by region.
LoadUp paid hot tub pickup
$80+For households who can’t wait for an appointment slot, exceed the 10 cubic yard limit, need items the city won’t take, or have urgent timelines (move-outs, real estate closings), LoadUp offers professional removal in Phoenix with upfront pricing. Independent loaders in the marketplace handle pickup, loading, and licensed disposal.
What’s included: Loading, hauling, and licensed disposal of your hot tub. No prep needed beyond pointing out what goes.
Pricing: Starts around $80 for a single item; full-truck pickups range from $300 to $600 depending on volume.
If you can pay for a pickup, your booking helps fund free pickups for someone else. Every paid LoadUp customer can opt in to round up at checkout, and 100% of round-ups go directly to Freemoval’s subsidized jobs.
Book hot tub pickup in Phoenix with LoadUp → Round-up option appears at checkout. Optional, opt-in only.
Rules change at city limits. If you are outside Phoenix proper, start with the guide for your own city:
Related guides: the complete Phoenix junk removal guide (every item type, city services, hazardous waste, and how to report dumping) and the national hot tub disposal guide with rules for all 117 cities we cover.
Other free removal guides for Phoenix: mattress, couch, refrigerator, washer and dryer, furniture, tv and electronics, dresser, bed frame and box spring.
Does Phoenix pick up hot tubs for free?
Not whole. Pieces over 25 pounds or 4 feet are excluded. Break it down, self-haul, or hire a crew.
How much does paid hot tub removal cost in Phoenix?
Through the LoadUp marketplace, a single hot tub pickup in Phoenix starts around $80 to $100 with upfront pricing, and full-truck loads run $300 to $600 depending on volume. For households who can’t wait for an appointment slot, exceed the 10 cubic yard limit, need items the city won’t take, or have urgent timelines (move-outs, real estate closings), LoadUp offers professional removal in Phoenix with upfront pricing. Independent loaders in the marketplace handle pickup, loading, and licensed disposal.
How much does professional hot tub removal cost?
Typical pricing ranges $300 to $800 for above-ground hot tubs, $500 to $1,200+ for in-ground or hard-to-access installations. The cost reflects 3 to 6 hours of labor with multiple crew members, specialized equipment for disassembly, electrical and plumbing disconnects, and disposal fees. Always get 2 to 3 quotes, prices vary significantly by region and accessibility.
Can I sell a non-working hot tub?
Sometimes. Non-working hot tubs occasionally find buyers who want them for: (1) Repair and resale, some buyers fix and flip. (2) Parts, the pumps, heaters, and jets have resale value separate from the shell. (3) Scrap metal, the frame contains 50 to 150 lbs of steel. List on Craigslist Free section or Facebook Marketplace at $0 with details about what works and what doesn’t. The key benefit even at $0: the buyer handles removal, saving you $300 to $800 in paid hauler fees.
Can I just drain it and leave it for trash collection?
Generally no. Most U.S. cities explicitly exclude hot tubs from regular bulk pickup because of weight (300+ lbs even drained) and size. A hot tub left at the curb without confirmed pickup will sit there, accumulate code enforcement notices, and may result in fines that exceed the cost of paid removal. Always check your city’s rules before any DIY approach, the city section above has summaries.
Do I need a permit to remove a hot tub?
For above-ground hot tubs, no permit is typically required for removal, just for installation. For in-ground hot tubs, removal may require a permit because of the excavation and electrical work involved. Some HOAs also require notification or approval for hot tub removal, especially if visible from common areas. Check with your municipality and HOA before starting work, and confirm with your removal service that they’ll handle any required permits as part of their pricing.
Is this Phoenix page maintained?
Yes. Freemoval maintains this page as a public resource alongside the full Phoenix guide. We update it when programs change rules, fees, or contact methods. Last updated October 2026. If you find outdated information, let us know.
