Trash & Recycling in Cleveland County, NC (2026)
6 rules for unincorporated Cleveland County, North Carolina.
Verified from official government sources
Pickup Rules & Schedules
In unincorporated Cleveland County, only a hauler holding a franchise from the board of commissioners may collect residential curbside solid waste for a fee, under Code § 11-71. A franchise holder must pick up each customer's waste at least once a week, so long as the customer is no more than 30 days behind on payment.
Curbside Trash Pickup Needs a County Franchise
Some RestrictionsCleveland County Code §§ 11-71, 11-79(b)
No person shall, for a fee, hire, or consideration, collect or transport residential curbside solid waste unless such person holds a valid, current franchise issued by the board of county commissioners authorizing the person to collect and transport residential curbside solid waste and describing the territory or area for which the franchise is issued. ... Solid waste shall be removed by the fr...
Bin Placement Rules
Cleveland County requires every garbage container to be durable, rust-resistant, watertight and rodent-proof, with a tight-fitting lid, under Code § 11-34(a)(1). Containers handled manually cannot exceed 35 gallons, and waste cannot be left to accumulate in a way that draws rodents, vermin or creates a fire hazard.
Garbage Containers Capped at 35 Gallons, Cleveland County
Some RestrictionsCleveland County Code § 11-34(a)(1)-(2)
(1)Garbage shall be stored in a container meeting the following requirements, or other type of container conforming to the intent of this article:a.Containers shall be durable, rust-resistant, nonabsorbent, watertight, rodent-proof and easily cleanable, with a close-fitting, flytight cover in place, and with adequate handles or bails to facilitate handling.b.Containers are not to exceed thirty-...
Illegal Dumping
Dumping solid waste on any road, public property, park, or someone else's land in Cleveland County violates § 11-34(d), with a $250 fine for a first offense and $500 for every offense after that, plus attorney's fees. Anyone who runs an illegal dump must also close it under § 11-43, and both violations are prosecuted as misdemeanors.
Cleveland County Illegal Dumping Penalties
Significant RestrictionsCleveland County Code §§ 11-34(d), 11-43
(d)Other than on property specifically designated and permitted for that use, no person shall throw, dump, or deposit solid waste upon, or cause or allow solid waste to be thrown, dumped or deposited upon, or allow solid waste to escape containment and come to be upon, any road, street, or highway; any property owned either by himself or another person; or upon any public property, park, or rec...
Yard Waste Collection
Cleveland County defines yard waste narrowly, as grass, leaves, flowers, stalks, stems, tree trimmings, branches and tree trunks, under Code § 11-28. Anyone who collects, transports or disposes of yard waste for a fee in unincorporated Cleveland County must first obtain a non-exclusive license from the solid waste director under § 11-61; residents cannot simply hire an unlicensed hauler.
Yard Waste Haulers Need a County License
Some RestrictionsCleveland County Code §§ 11-28, 11-61
Yard waste means grass, leaves, flowers, stalks, stems, tree trimmings, branches, and tree trunks. ... Under the provisions of this division, the solid waste director shall have authority to grant non-exclusive licenses for the collection, transportation, and proper disposal of solid waste from commercial, industrial, and business establishments throughout the county for a fee and to grant non-...
Dumpster Rules
Any development in unincorporated Cleveland County that uses a solid waste dumpster must screen the site whenever it would otherwise be clearly visible to residential neighbors, other building occupants or the public street, under Code section 12-229, unless the visible property is zoned industrial.
Cleveland County Dumpster Screening Rules
Some RestrictionsCleveland County Code § 12-229
Every development desiring the use of solid waste receptacles or "dumpsters" for the temporary collection and storage of solid waste shall provide sites for such dumpsters that are screened if and to the extent that, in the absence of such screening, they would be clearly visible to: (1)Persons located within any dwelling unit on residential property other than that where the dumpster is locate...
Recycling Rules
Cleveland County runs solid waste and recycling centers across the unincorporated county under Code § 11-40. Waste must go inside the marked container, not beside it, and residents cannot scavenge, climb on, or set fire to any container. Commercial, industrial, and institutional waste is barred outright, and breaking these rules is a misdemeanor carrying a $100 fine.
Cleveland County Recycling Center Rules
Some RestrictionsCleveland County Code § 11-40
(a)Solid waste/recycling centers are maintained at numerous sites throughout the county for the convenience of county residents, on land owned by the county. Solid waste may be deposited in the solid waste/recycling centers only in accordance with the provisions of this article.(b)All solid waste shall be deposited inside the solid waste/recycling centers in indicated containers. No solid waste...
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