Mike,
Negative, 110-26 requires a 3' clearance from floor to ceiling. Technically there is nothing allowed in front of the panel.
A trash can is not the most heinous violation being of a temporary nature however.
Timely question since I just wrote an e-mail to 80 schools reminding them to have ALL the junk removed from in front of their panels. I had an employee removing stationary from in front of one Tuesday who fell over some boxes and injured his wrist.
It is a prevalent problem in the industry, but I find the stationary a real heart burn because it's also flammable in case that panel arcs.
BTW - WELCOME to the forum
George