Trash & Recycling in Davidson County, NC (2026)
5 rules for unincorporated Davidson County, North Carolina.
Verified from official government sources
Bin Placement Rules
Davidson County requires garbage to be stored in a durable, rust-resistant, watertight container with a close-fitting, fly-tight lid kept in place, and property owners must clear all solid waste at least once every seven days. There's no curbside cart pickup; residents self-haul to county boxsites or the landfill under Chapter 50 of the county code.
Davidson County Garbage Container Rules
Some RestrictionsDavidson County Code of Ordinances § 50.03(B)-(C)
(B) The owner, occupant, tenant, or lessee of any property shall remove or cause to be removed all solid waste from his or her property at least once each week, i.e. at least once each seven-day period. (C) Garbage shall be stored only in a container that is durable, rust-resistant, nonabsorbent, watertight, and easily cleaned, with a close-fitting, fly-tight cover in place. Solid waste rec...
Bulk Item Disposal
Davidson County bars leaving bulky waste, like old furniture, outside a building or dwelling for more than 72 hours, whether or not a hauler has been scheduled. Junk vehicles stored under Chapter 151's separate rules are exempted, but everything else has to go inside or off the property within three days under §50.03(E).
Davidson County Bulky Waste 72-Hour Limit
Some RestrictionsDavidson County Code of Ordinances § 50.03(E)
(E) No owner, occupant, tenant, or lessee of any building or dwelling may place or leave, or cause to be placed or left, outside the building or dwelling, any bulky waste for longer than 72 hours, provided that the storage of junk vehicles in accordance with Chapter 151 shall not constitute a violation of this chapter.
Recycling Requirements
Davidson County encourages, but doesn't mandate, separating recyclables from household trash, and it operates recycling through drop-off containers at county collection centers rather than curbside bins. Once glass, cans, plastic, cardboard, or newsprint is placed in a county drop-off container, it legally becomes county property under §50.06(D), and taking it back out is prohibited.
Davidson County Recycling Separation Rules
Light RestrictionsDavidson County Code of Ordinances § 50.06(A), (D)
(A) Each person who owns, leases, or manages a residence, residential unit, or place of business, industry, commerce, or other place providing goods or services, or institution, church, or school is encouraged to remove recyclable materials from the solid waste generated as outlined in division (B) below and make them available for recycling in division (C) below. Nothing in this chapter is i...
Illegal Dumping
Davidson County makes illegal storage, dumping, and littering of solid waste a criminal and civilly punishable offense under §50.07, and it declares any unpermitted accumulation exceeding 50 pounds or 100 cubic feet a public nuisance under state law. Violators face misdemeanor prosecution, civil penalties, or both, on top of nuisance-abatement costs billed back to the property.
Davidson County Illegal Dumping Penalties
Heavy RestrictionsDavidson County Code of Ordinances § 50.07(A), (D)
(A) The storage, collection, and disposal of solid waste within the area of jurisdiction of this chapter in a manner not permitted by this chapter, or state and federal laws and regulations is prohibited. A violation of this chapter shall subject the offender to criminal prosecution, assessment of a civil penalty, or other legal action as more particularly set forth in this chapter. (D) By ...
Collection Schedule
Davidson County requires every property owner, occupant, tenant, or lessee to remove all solid waste from the property at least once every seven days. There's no scheduled curbside truck route in the county code; compliance means self-hauling to a county boxsite or the sanitary landfill on that same weekly cycle under §50.03(B).
Davidson County Weekly Trash Removal Rule
Some RestrictionsDavidson County Code of Ordinances § 50.03(B)
(B) The owner, occupant, tenant, or lessee of any property shall remove or cause to be removed all solid waste from his or her property at least once each week, i.e. at least once each seven-day period.
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