PRECOLLECTION PRACTICES, REMOVAL OF RUBBISH, REFUSE, RECYCLING, YARD WASTE, AND OTHER WASTE.
Raleigh City Code § 7-2005
in effectSec. 7-2005. - PRECOLLECTION PRACTICES, REMOVAL OF RUBBISH, REFUSE, RECYCLING, YARD WASTE, AND OTHER WASTE.
The following standards and requirements shall be imposed on the preparation and handling of waste prior to collection by the City. Improperly prepared refuse, recycling, yard waste, or other service provisions shall not be collected. 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 refuse, recycling, or yard waste, or who mixes or contaminates refuse, recycling, or yard waste, shall be subject to enforcement in accordance with Raleigh City Code Sections 7-2002.2 and 7-2002.3.
(a) Preparation of refuse, recycling, and yard waste.
(1) Garbage must be placed in refuse containers and must always be stored within the container at all times.
a. All garbage must be bagged before being placed in refuse containers used to collect garbage. Loose garbage or garbage that cannot be bagged must not be placed in containers.
b. Yard waste, recycling, or other unacceptable items must not be placed in containers used for garbage.
c. Solid Waste Services will not collect garbage placed outside of a container without an authorized Special Collection pick up.
d. Solid Waste Services will not collect improperly prepared garbage.
e. Garbage container lids must be closed. Garbage cart lids that are open twelve (12) inches or less, will be considered closed for purposes of this Part.
(2) Recycling must not be mixed with garbage, yard waste, or other items.
a. Recycling must be placed in approved recycling containers. No recycling material must be placed outside the container.
b. Recycling must not be bagged. Only loose recycling must be placed in recycling containers.
c. Recycling container lids must be closed. Recycling cart lids that are open twelve (12) inches or less, will be considered closed for purposes of this Part.
(3) Properly prepared yard waste will be collected in the manner described below.
a. Yard waste may be properly prepared for collection by using any of the following three (3) methods. Any, or all, of the three (3) methods may be used on collection day.
1. Place yard waste in a City-issued, bright green, ninety-five (95) gallon container (yard waste cart). Yard waste cart lids must be closed. Yard waste cart lids that are open twelve-inches or less, will be considered closed for purposes of this Part. The City shall provide one (1) approved container for yard waste collection. Should this be insufficient storage between collections, the resident may request one (1) additional yard waste container for a one-time fee, and a recurring monthly fee, for continued curbside collection of the second container.
2. Place yard waste in biodegradable paper bags. A maximum of fifteen (15) yard waste bags may be placed at the collection point on collection day.
3. Place yard waste in bundles. Yard waste bundles must be tied with natural materials, including without limitation, natural twine, rope, or fiber, and must be no longer than five (5) feet in length, eighteen (18) inches in diameter, and no heavier than fifty (50) pounds. A maximum of five (5) yard waste bundles may be placed at the collection point on collection day.
b. The collection points for properly prepared yard waste are either the curb line at the street, at the area between the sidewalk and the curb, or a point of collection otherwise authorized by the Solid Waste Services Director, or the Director's designee.
1. Yard waste may be placed at the collection point no earlier than 6:00 a.m. on the day before the designated day for collection.
2. Yard waste must not block any street or public right-of-way.
3. Yard waste must be at least five (5) feet from other objects.
4. Containers, bags, or bundles must not be blocked or too close to other objects.
5. Collection crews must have direct access to yard waste for safe and effective collection.
c. Yard waste collection day will occur pursuant to a published schedule, as determined by the Director of Solid Waste Services.
d. Solid Waste Services will not collect yard waste in the following instances.
1. Yard waste will not be collected from contractors.
2. Yard waste will not be collected from non-residential properties that do not qualify for garbage and recycling services.
3. Yard waste will not be collected from community properties or properties maintained by Homeowners Associations (HOAs) or property management companies.
4. Yard waste will not be collected from parks, pools, parking lots, or other common areas that are not owned by a resident or tenant.
e. Solid Waste Services will not collect improperly prepared yard waste. In addition, Solid Waste Services will not collect yard waste that is mixed with household items, garbage, or recycling, or yard waste that is mixed with any other item that is unacceptable for disposal at the City's Yard Waste Center (contaminated yard waste). 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 yard waste, or who mixes or contaminates yard waste, shall be subject to enforcement in accordance with §§ 7-2002.2 and 7-2002.3.
(4) No person shall burn solid waste, including trash, recycling, or yard waste, outdoors on the streets or sidewalks or on private property within the city limits. This provision applies to persons living within one (1) mile of the city limits, if a public health or public safety nuisance is established, and the City provides access to drop off services on the same basis as city residents.
(5) Building rubbish, construction material, and demolition material, shall not be collected by the Solid Waste Services Department. The contractor or any person who has control of the premises, building, or land, including vacant land, is responsible for proper disposal. Failure to properly dispose of these materials shall result in warnings and administrative fees outlined in 7-2002.2.
(b) Refuse and recycling containers.
(1) All refuse or recycling containers shall conform to the standards described in City Code, and other forms of communication produced by the Solid Waste Services Department. Refuse and recycling containers must be fully compatible with the City's collection equipment.
a. Alternate means and devices may be approved by the Solid Waste Services Director or the Director's designee to remedy limitations to standard collections and/or as a remedy of anything that is dangerous, or harmful to the quality of life, public health, or public safety.
b. Alternate methods or means of collection may include, but not be limited to, storage, collections methods, point of collection, path of collection, or disposal plans. Remedies, modifications, and/or alternate collection plans must be based on sound collection, safety, compliance, enforcement, sustainability, and/or risk management principles.
(2) Dwellings eligible for individual unit collection will be provided one (1) City-issued container. In the event that one (1) container is insufficient, a person, who is the owner, occupant, tenant, or otherwise has any control of any premises, building or land in the City, including vacant property, may obtain one (1) additional City issued container. Individual units may place no more than two (2) roll-out containers at the curb for collection. Additional containers at the point of collection or curb will not be collected.
(3) A person who is the owner, occupant, tenant, or otherwise has any control of any premises, building or land in the City, including vacant property, is responsible for the maintenance of refuse, recycling, and yard waste containers. Any refuse container that does not conform to the provisions of this chapter or that has ragged or sharp edges or any other defect liable to hamper or injure the persons collecting the contents thereof, shall not be used for holding refuse intended for collection, but must be promptly replaced by a proper receptacle. A fee must be paid to receive an additional or replacement container. The fee will only be waived if containers have been damaged by collection crews.
(4) Every person producing or having refuse or waste of any kind shall provide and keep on the premises or property occupied or used by him sufficient refuse containers to handle all accumulation of refuse on such premises or property in the interval between collections by the Solid Waste Services Department.
(5) During seasonal loose leaf collection periods, as designated by the City's Transportation Department, qualifying City residents may deposit loose leaves at the curb for collection in accordance with the Transportation Department's seasonal loose leaf preparation guidelines. The City's loose leaf collection program is managed by the City's Transportation Department. At all other times during the year, or for collection by the Solid Waste Services Department, leaves shall be prepared in accordance with §7-2005(a)(3).
(6) No person shall throw, drop or deposit any leaves, shrubs, or other debris into any catch basin or manhole in the City.
(7) Every dwelling unit shall have adequate garbage, recycling, yard waste, and rubbish storage facilities the type and location of which are approved by the Solid Waste Services Director.
(c) Storing of refuse, recycling, and yard waste.
(1) 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, shall keep the same in a clean and orderly condition, free of all nuisances, obstructions, and/or any condition that is harmful to public health, public safety, general welfare, quality of life, or general integrity of the City.
a. 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, or general welfare.
b. All storage and/or collection devices must be in accordance with the provisions of this chapter.
c. Hazardous, combustible, and noncombustible refuse shall be stored in containers that protect the public and natural environment.
d. Every person, who is the owner, occupant, tenant, or otherwise has any control of any premises, building or land or land in the City, including vacant property, and any area abutting any right-of-way or street in the City, who violates these storage provisions, shall be subject to enforcement in accordance with Raleigh City Code Sections 7-2002.2 and 7-2002.3.
(2) No person shall throw, drop or deposit, or cause to be thrown, dropped or deposited on any land in the City (vacant or occupied) any waste (including but not limited to refuse, garbage, ashes, rubbish, building rubbish, dead animals, putrescible matter, and anything injurious to health); provided, however, the prohibition contained in this subsection shall not apply to the deposit of waste not injurious to health on a public dump where permission to make such deposit is granted by the Solid Waste Services Director nor to the filling in or grading of property with earth, mud, ashes and similar materials.
(d) Points of collection.
(1) Refuse, recycling, yard waste, and other waste for collection to be collected by the Solid Waste Services Department shall be placed at the curb, edge of property abutting the street, alley or other City-approved location of the property from which it was generated.
a. Alternate points of collection may be approved on a case-by-case basis by the Solid Waste Services Director or the Director's designee to remedy limitations to standard collections, collection efficiency, and/or as a remedy of conditions that are dangerous, harmful to quality of life, public health, or public safety.
b. Carts must not be placed in front of neighboring properties or in bike lanes, traffic lanes, and/or block any right-of-way.
c. Carts may be placed at the street, by the curb, at the area abutting the street, or other approved point of collection by 6:00 a.m. on the day before the designated day for collection. Carts must be removed from the point of collection or curb by 7:00 p.m. the day after collection to a location on the property not seen from the public right-of-way or at the side or rear of the building.
d. If the Solid Waste Services Director or the Director's designee deems an alleyway passable for City Solid Waste equipment, roll-out containers may also be placed at rear alleyways.
e. Solid Waste Services must have direct access to containers. Containers must not be blocked by vehicles or other objects. Containers shall be placed at least five (5) feet away from any obstruction (including mailboxes, transformers, parked cars, and light poles) and shall not be placed near low hanging branches or power lines.
f. Improperly-placed containers are a violation and shall not be collected.
(2) 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, shall be responsible for the placement of refuse, recycling, and yard waste, or refuse, recycling, or yard waste containers. Any person who shall be found in violation of any provisions of this chapter, including those of Raleigh City Code Section 7-2005(d)(1), shall be subject to enforcement in accordance with Raleigh City Code Sections 7-2002.2 and 7-2002.3. Any violation of this subsection (d) shall be deemed a non-criminal violation and shall not be a misdemeanor or infraction pursuant to G.S. 14-4 or Section 14-1005(a) of this Code of Ordinances. Both the Inspections Director or the Director's designees and the Solid Waste Services Director or the Director's designees may enforce the provisions of this section.
(3) All properties and areas in the City of Raleigh are subject to the standards and requirements set forth in the Raleigh City Code, including the area where the City has jurisdiction through planning and zoning regulations.
a. Any property receiving any services through the City of Raleigh Solid Waste Services Department is subject to the standards and requirements imposed on the preparation, storage, management, disposal, and/or and handling of waste as set forth in Part 7 of the Raleigh City Code, and other rules and regulations published by the Solid Waste Services Department, including, but not limited to, the City's website, brochures, and/or other forms of communication.
(e) Need Assistance Collection Program—Exemptions to curbside requirements.
(1) A site visit will be performed to determine an acceptable storage location for carts prior to completion of the Need Assistance Collection Program Application. Each resident requiring assistance under the Need Assistance Collection Program, who lives in a single dwelling, must have an approved application on file.
(2) Upon completion of an application for the Need Assistance Collection Program by a resident, including a Physician's Statement for the dwelling at which the person resides, the following persons shall receive back yard collection of garbage, recycling, and yard waste:
a. Residents who have a permanent disability with no able-bodied person residing with them who can move the containers to the curb; and
b. Residents who have a temporary disability with no able-bodied person residing with them who can move the containers to the curb.
(3) To qualify for the Need Assistance Collection Program, the resident's garbage, recycling, and yard waste must be serviced from the house, in garbage and recycling containers either furnished or purchased from the City, and in the yard waste container issued by the City. Only yard waste contained in City-issued yard waste carts will be collected from the property. No additional yard waste (in biodegradable bags or in bundles) will be collected from the property.
(4) A resident is not eligible for Need Assistance collection if the resident does not have a completed application for the Need Assistance Collection Program on file with the Solid Waste Services Department.
(5) Preparation of garbage, recycling, and yard waste must be in accordance with provisions in this section of the City Code.
(6) Solid Waste Services employees must have direct access to garbage, recycling, and yard waste containers. Employees will not maneuver over terrain that creates topographical problems that make collection unsafe. Employees will not go on porches, behind fences or gates, in garages, up steps, or on decks. All animals must be tied up and enclosed in a fence.
(7) Solid Waste Services shall confirm the eligibility of residents requesting Need Assistance collection prior to providing the service.
(8) A resident shall recertify for the Need Assistance Collection Program, if the resident violates eligibility requirements or Solid Waste Services established collection practices.
(9) Any person who shall be found in violation of any of the Need Assistance provisions and collection procedures shall be subject to enforcement in accordance with Raleigh City Code Sections 7-2002.2 and 7-2002.3.
(Code 1959, §19-31; Ord. No. 1998-454, §9, 11-4-98; Ord. No. 2000-786-TC-194, TC-1-2000, §2, 5-2-00; Ord. No. 2004-628, §2, 5-4-04; Ord. No. 2007-161, §1, 1-23-07; Ord. No. 2011-822, §§4—6, 1-4-11; Ord. No. 2012-137, §2, 12-4-12, eff. 1-1-13; Ord. No. 2013-171, §1, 4-16-13; Ord. No. 2014-285, §§1—3, 4-15-14, eff. 4-20-14; Ord. No. 2022-398, § 8, 7-5-22; Ord. No. (2024) 598, § 3, 2-6-24; Ord. No. (2025)734, § 4, 4-15-25)
Source: City of Raleigh, North Carolina, City Code and City Charter (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/nc/raleigh/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=DIVIICOGEOR_PT7SOWASE_CH2SOWACO_ARTBADEN_S7-2005PRPRRERUREREYAWAOTWAFetched: 11/1/2026