I work with HOA boards across Riverside County. Here's what actually matters.

Picking the right locations

A great station in a bad location is useless.

High-traffic dog walking routes (walk the property at 7am Saturday)

Within sight of, but not adjacent to, seating areas

At decision points (trail intersections, mailbox clusters)

Roughly every 800-1,200 feet on a walking loop

Where the truck can reach

Station types and costs

Basic post-mount with dispenser only: $150-250

Combo with 10-gal receptacle: $350-600 (standard for HOA)

Combo with 30-gal receptacle: $550-900

Solar-lit or smart-sensor: $1,200+

Ongoing costs:

Bag refills: $25-80/month per station

Servicing: $25-45 per station per visit

Replacement parts: 10-15% of station cost annually

Twice weekly: Main walking corridors

Once weekly: Outlying stations

Three times weekly: Summer

Daily: Clubhouse and pool-adjacent

Pet waste goes in gray landfill bin, not green organics. SB 1383 explicitly excludes pet waste because of pathogen concerns.