§ 7-2004 — COLLECTION PRACTICES

Sec. 7-2004. - COLLECTION PRACTICES.

(a) Availability and extent of service. Solid waste collection devices, design for access, storage, general container standards, and other design requirements shall be established in accordance with the Functions and Duties of the Department. Collection, storage, disposal, point of collection, path of collection, and/or preparation of garbage, recycling, yard waste, and other collected items shall be in accordance with provisions in this part of the Raleigh City Code, and/or published education, outreach, or other forms of communication authorized by the Solid Waste Services Director or the Director's designee. Adequate storage, collection, type of service, level of service, and frequency of services shall be planned during pre-construction, and maintained post-construction. This shall include adequate space when the point of collection is the curb by the street. Development Plans shall show and shall include dumpster enclosure specifications. Dumpster pad specifications shall include concrete strength of the pad and the area thirty feet (30') in front of the dumpster pad, the travel path the collection vehicles will take to collect the garbage and recycling from street to dumpster location then exit to include turn radius for all turns. A Will Serve or Ability to Serve Letter from the private hauler that will be collecting the garbage and recycling is required. The Will Serve Letter shall include the letterhead of the private hauler, shall indicate that the plans have been reviewed (to include dumpster/Pad/Enclosure specs), and that the private hauler is able to service the garbage and recycling safely. The Will Serve Letter should be transposed on the cover of the sheet. The Will Serve Letter shall be indicated in the site plan index, and shall include the page where all required information is located in the plan. Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, or in other ordinances, and except in cases of inadequate funds, labor equipment or materials, and of emergencies or circumstances over which the Solid Waste Services Director has no control, and subject to the limitations of this section regarding types of service, and quantities of refuse handled, service quantities, type, and frequency of service shall be as follows: (1) Any development consisting of detached single-family dwellings may be allowed curbside collection. Dwellings shall have adequate storage space for containers, topography shall allow for safe movement of containers from storage location to the point of collection, and the design shall allow for automated curbside collection. Adequate space must be provided at the point of collection and free from all obstructions allowing for containers to be at least five (5) feet (ft) apart from objects. Attached dwellings up to six (6) units with a ground level individual entrance and a separate driveway for each unit may be allowed automated collection services by the Solid Waste Services Department. Dwellings shall have adequate storage space for containers in a place not seen from the public right-of-way, topography shall allow safe movement of containers from storage location to the point of collection, such as a paved walkway, and the design shall allow for automated curbside collection in front of each dwelling. Adequate space shall be provided at the point of collection and free from all obstructions allowing for containers to be at least five (5) ft apart from objects. Attached dwellings utilizing roll out carts with more than four (4) units in each building are not allowed to have a central storage location for roll out carts. Attached dwelling developments seeking collection services by the Solid Waste Services Department that propose storage of containers in garages must demonstrate the size of the garage allows for storage of containers along with a normal size vehicle. Owners, Homeowners Associations (HOAs), Property Management Companies, or other persons that have any control of any premises or building, shall be responsible for ensuring adequate storage of containers. Adequate storage, collection devices, type of service, level of service, and frequency of services shall be planned during pre-construction, and maintained post construction. (2) All developments consisting of attached dwellings without a separate driveway for each dwelling, or units arranged one (1) above the other in multiple stories must provide a common collection facility such as a dumpster, compactor, or other collection devices. Adequate space, collection devices, and collection frequency shall be planned during pre-construction, and maintained post construction that • Ensures the protection of the environment, public health, public safety, general welfare, quality of life, and sustainability throughout the City. • Protects public right of ways, bike lanes, pedestrian travel paths, prevents public nuisances or collection violations, and has a positive impact on the community. Alternate or modified collection plans may be approved after investigation that will remedy a nuisance, prevent a circumstance that may create a nuisance, protect the environment, have a positive impact on quality of life or remedy repeated violations of the Raleigh City Code. In addition, the modifications or alternate collection plans must be based on sound collection, safety, compliance, enforcement, sustainability, and risk management principles. (3) Non-residential properties must be served by common collection facilities for solid waste, recycling, and yard waste, in accordance with sound collection practices that ensure and protect public health, public safety, and quality of life. The following are exceptions to this requirement: a. Small businesses or offices located in an area that is primarily residential, may be allowed curbside refuse, recycling, and yard waste collection services by the City, provided that refuse generation for the building does not exceed two (2) City-issued roll-out containers. Non-residential properties shall pay the approved fee to obtain City-issued containers. Eligibility for this service will be determined on a case-by-case basis by the Solid Waste Services Director or the Director's designee. Businesses not meeting the above criteria will be required to use a private hauler. Collection and disposal plans be in accordance to the standards noted in the City Code. b. Central Business District. 1. Central Business District residential, commercial, office, entertainment, institutional, medical, educational, charitable and other non-industrial uses located in an area bounded by Cabarrus Street, Blount Street, Edenton Street and McDowell Street may request curbside pickup of refuse by the City. Request may be made for one (1) per week, six (6) per week, or seven (7) per week collection services. (i) Approval by the Solid Waste Services Director, or the Director's designee, is required for service requests. Collection plans shall protect public health, public safety, and quality of life. Collection plans shall not cause a hazard or nuisance, and shall be based upon sustainable and sound collection practices. (ii) Refuse and recycling must be placed in City of Raleigh approved carts or other approved collection devices. (iii) Solid Waste Services must have direct access to items to be collected. There must be no obstructions or other conditions that make collection hazardous or could cause a nuisance. Carts must be located in a place that can be collected safely and effectively. (iv) Improperly-prepared items will not be collected. (v) Alternate collection devices may be approved on a case-by- case basis by the Solid Waste Services Director or the Director's designee. (vi) Alternate collection devices, method of collection, collection times, points of collection, and/or types of collection, may be approved to prevent nuisances, protect public health, public safety, general welfare, and/or protect the quality of life. (vii) Refuse and recycling, set out for collection by the City, must be placed on the sidewalk by the curb at the street between the hours of 4:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, and between the hours of 4:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, All items to be collected by the City must be removed from the curb or point of collection after collection. Collection times and schedules may vary from time to time due to labor, equipment, emergencies, or circumstances over which the Solid Waste Services Department has no control. (viii) Charges and fees for the carts, collection, and disposal of refuse, shall be fixed from time to time on schedules approved by the City Council, and maintained on file in the Budget and Management Services Department. (ix) Every person, who is the owner, occupant, tenant, or otherwise has any control of any premises, building, or land in the City, including vacant property, operating in any business district or municipal service district, shall keep the same in a clean and orderly condition, free of all nuisances, obstructions, litter, and/or any condition that is harmful to public health, public safety, general welfare, quality of life, or general integrity of the City. (x) All storage and collection devices must only be placed out for collection on the day of collection. Collection devices must not block the public rights-of-way, pedestrian travel paths, streets, or bike lanes, and must be removed from public rights-of-way or points of collection after collection. 2. Glenwood South, residential, commercial, office, entertainment, institutional, medical, educational, charitable and other non-industrial uses located in an area bounded by Peace Street, West Street, Hillsborough Street, and St. Mary's Street may request pickup of refuse by the City. Requests may be made for one (1) per week, six (6) per week, or seven (7) per week collection services. (i) Approval by the Solid Waste Services Director or the Director's designee is required for service requests. (ii) Refuse and recycling must be placed in City of Raleigh approved carts or other approved collection devices. (iii) Solid Waste Services must have direct access to items to be collected. There must be no obstructions or other conditions that make collection hazardous or could cause a nuisance. Carts must be located in a place that can be collected safely and effectively. (iv) Improperly-prepared items will not be collected. (v) Alternate collection devices may be approved on a case-by- case basis by the Solid Waste Services Director or the Director's designee. (vi) Alternate collection devices, method of collection, collection times, points of collection, and/or types of collection, may be approved to prevent nuisances, protect public health, public safety, general welfare, and/or protect the quality of life. (vii) Refuse and recycling, set out for collection by the City, must be placed on the sidewalk by the curb at the street between the hours of 4:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, and between the hours of 4:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. All items to be collected by the City must be removed from the curb or point of collection after collection. Collection times and schedules may vary from time to time due to labor, equipment, emergencies, or circumstances over which the Solid Waste Services Department has no control. (viii) Charges and fees for the carts, bags, collection, and disposal of refuse, shall be fixed from time to time on schedules approved by the City Council, and maintained on file in the Budget and Management Services Department. (ix) Every person, who is the owner, occupant, tenant, or otherwise has any control of any premises, building, or land in the City, including vacant property, operating in any business district or municipal service district, shall keep the same in a clean and orderly condition, free of all nuisances, obstructions, litter, and/or any condition that is harmful to public health, public safety, general welfare, quality of life, or general integrity of the City. (x) All storage and collection devices must only be placed out for collection on the day of collection. Collection devices must not block the public rights-of-way, pedestrian travel paths, streets, or bike lanes, and must be removed from public rights-of-way or points of collection after collection. 3. Except as otherwise stated, Central Business District residential, commercial, office, entertainment, institutional, medical, educational, charitable and other non-industrial uses must comply with the following: (i) Refuse, recycling, yard waste, and other waste for collection must be stored in collection devices that prevent nuisances or create conditions that are harmful to public health, public safety, and general welfare. (ii) Hazardous, combustible, and noncombustible refuse shall be stored in containers that protect the public and natural environment. (iii) Each property shall have a sufficient storage space for the collection devices needed to handle refuse, recycling, yard waste, and other waste. Every person, who is the owner, occupant, tenant, or otherwise has any control of any premises, building or land in the Central Business District or Municipal Service District, including vacant property, are responsible for the purchase and maintenance of collection devices. (iv) Every person, who is the owner, occupant, tenant, or otherwise has any control of any premises, building or land in the Central Business District of the City, including vacant property, and any area abutting any right-of-way or street in the City in violation of the Raleigh City Code, or Collection practices shall be subject to enforcement in accordance with Raleigh City Code Sections 7-2002.2 and 7-2002.3. (4) If the development is a Planned Development in accordance with Raleigh City Code Chapter 10 - Unified Development Ordinance, an alternate or modified solid waste management, storage, collection and disposal plan, to include, but not limited to, container standards, container requirements, points of collection, and/or type of collection devices, may be approved by the City's Solid Waste Services Department, or the Director's designee, in lieu of the requirements noted herein, if the design of public streets, or other development designs, create limitations to standard collections, or provide a remedy to conditions that are dangerous, or harmful to quality of life, public health, public safety, or general welfare. (b) Control of private collections by contract and permit. (1) Notwithstanding the provisions of this chapter or other ordinances of this City, the City Manager is authorized to enter into a written contract, either privately or after public advertisement for bids, for the collection and removal of waste paper, paper boxes or cartons or other paper products deposited upon the streets of the City (or other place designated by the person desiring to have such products removed as waste) upon such terms and conditions as he may deem best for the benefit of the City; provided such contract shall define the area over which the collection of waste paper products shall be confined; provided further no such contract may be executed unless and until the person contracting to collect and remove such products shall have made a deposit with the City in the amount of five hundred dollars ($500.00) cash, conditioned upon the faithful performance of the contract and upon compliance with the requirements of this chapter and applicable ordinances of the City. No such contract may be made for a period exceeding one (1) year and shall be cancelable by either party upon thirty (30) days written notice. (2) No person shall engage in the business of collecting, hauling or transporting in the City any waste without first obtaining a permit from the City Manager to engage in such business. The City Manager shall not issue any permit for collections in the areas covered by contracts as provided for above. The holder of such permit shall conform to the applicable ordinances, regulations of the City Manager and the lawfully prescribed requirements of other departments of the City; and upon failure to so conform such permits shall be subject to revocation by the City Manager. (c) Special Collection Programs. (1) Bulky Load Program. Solid Waste Services provides free collection of enumerated items that do not fit into refuse containers. Bulky Load Collection is offered for the disposal of furniture, small appliances, mattresses, box springs, and similar household items. Yard waste, large appliances, odor-causing waste, or excess bags of garbage that would normally be placed in a refuse container must not be placed in bulky loads and will not be collected. A Bulky Load collection at a single address shall be limited to a maximum of four (4) cubic yards. Solid Waste Services shall not provide Bulky Load collection services for apartment complexes, businesses, or any other property that utilizes a dumpster, compactor or similar device for garbage collection purposes. All Bulky Load collections must be scheduled in advance. A collection for a specific address may be scheduled no more frequently than once every ninety (90) days. (2) Special Load Program. Collection of refuse, recycling, or yard waste, unable to be collected by Solid Waste Services regularly scheduled collection and/or the Solid Waste Services Bulky Load Program may be collected by the Solid Waste Services Special Load Program for a fee. Fees for Solid Waste Services Special Load Programs are set forth in the City of Raleigh Fee Schedule. Multiple Special Load collections may be purchased. The full amount due must be paid in advance; no items will be collected should the amount due exceed the amount paid. The Special Load Program is not available for rocks, dirt, building materials, loose leaves, tree limbs larger than five (5) feet long and six (6) inches in diameter, tree stumps, car parts, tires, chemicals, or paints. Debris resulting from work performed by a contractor will not be collected. This service is a residential service and not available to businesses or commercial entities without special approval from the Solid Waste Services Director or the Director's designee. (3) Solid Waste Services must have direct access to items to be collected. There must be no obstructions or other conditions that make collection hazardous or could cause a nuisance. Items must be located in a place that can be collected safely and effectively. a. Items not prepared in accordance with the Raleigh City Code is a violation, and those items will not be collected. b. Any person, who is the owner, occupant, tenant, or otherwise has any control of any premises, building, or land in the City, including vacant property, who improperly prepares items for collection, shall be subject to enforcement in accordance with Raleigh City Code Sections 7-2002.2(d) and (e), and 7-2002.3.

(Code 1959, §19-30; Ord. No. 1998-454, §9, 11-4-98; Ord. No. 2000-786-TC-194, TC-1-2000, §1, 5-2-00; Ord. No. 2002-290, §§1, 2, 9-17-02; Ord. No. 2004-628, §1, 5-4-04; Ord. No. 2006-55, §§1, 2, 6-20-06; Ord. No. 2011-820, §1, 1-4-11; Ord. No. 2011-821, §1, 1-4-11; Ord. No. 2012-137, §1, 12-4-12, eff. 1-1-13; Ord. No. 2019-949, §§1(Att.), 6, 6-4-19, eff. 7-1-19; Ord. No. 2022-398, § 7, 7-5-22; Ord. No. (2025)734, § 3, 4-15-25)