Trash & Recycling in Houston County, GA (2026)
5 rules for unincorporated Houston County, Georgia.
Verified from official government sources
Bin Placement Rules
Houston County residents must place solid waste carts at the curbside pickup spot by 7:00 a.m. on the scheduled collection day and pull them back in within 24 hours, under General Code Secs. 50-41(4) and 50-56. Limited exceptions exist for documented disabilities and terrain issues.
Houston County Trash Cart Placement Rules
Some RestrictionsHouston County, GA Code of Ordinances § 50-56
The owner, occupant, tenant, or lessee of each residential unit shall, no later than 7:00 a.m. on the normal pickup days designated by the county, franchisee, contract collector, or county's designee, place the containers at the location established by the county, franchisee, contract collector, or county's designee for pickup. Containers shall be removed from the location to the premises of th...
Bulk Item Disposal
Houston County collects bulky waste, like furniture and white goods, once a week alongside regular garbage under Chapter 50, but items have to be placed neatly beside the roll-out cart rather than mixed in, and any piece too large or heavy for the container can be refused. Noncompliant items left curbside can trigger a removal fee plus landfill costs.
Houston County Bulk Waste Pickup Rules
Some RestrictionsHouston County, GA Code of Ordinances § 50-37 (definition of "bulky waste"); § 50-41(4)
Bulky waste. White goods (stoves, freezers, dishwashers, trash compactors, refrigerators, water tanks, washing machines, dryers, water heaters, air conditioners), furniture and other waste materials not included: (construction debris, dead animals, hazardous waste or stable matter) with weights or volumes greater than those allowed for containers. (This item does not include yard waste.)
Illegal Dumping
It is unlawful in Houston County to dump or bury garbage, refuse, or rubbish anywhere in the solid waste district without prior approval from state authorities, under General Code Sec. 50-51. A companion littering section, Sec. 50-16, separately bars scattering solid waste on public or private property.
Houston County Illegal Dumping Rules
Some RestrictionsHouston County, GA Code of Ordinances § 50-51
It shall be unlawful for any person to dump or bury or cause to be dumped or buried any garbage, refuse, solid waste, or rubbish anywhere in the area of the district not previously approved by the appropriate state authorities.
Yard Waste Collection
Houston County collects residential yard waste curbside once a week alongside garbage and bulky waste, but only if it's cut smaller than five feet long, no more than eight inches in diameter, and under 40 pounds per piece. Loose leaves, clippings and small debris must go in bags or bundles, and any pile over ten cubic yards doesn't qualify for curbside pickup.
Houston County Yard Waste Collection Limits
Some RestrictionsHouston County, GA Code of Ordinances § 50-41(7)
(7)Yard waste for collection must be cut smaller than five feet in length, no more than eight inches in diameter and must not weigh more than 40 lbs. Loose leaves, grass clippings, pine straw, pinecones, small twigs, sticks, shrubbery clippings and other small items shall be placed in containers, bags, and bundles. Debris placed in bags should be tightly cinched so items do not fall out and mus...
Collection Schedule
Houston County runs mandatory once-a-week garbage collection and twice-monthly recycling pickup for every residential unit in the unincorporated county, under General Code Sec. 50-42. The county holds the exclusive right to collect; using anyone else is unlawful without express county permission.
Houston County Trash Collection Schedule
Some RestrictionsHouston County, GA Code of Ordinances § 50-42(b)(1)
The county, franchisee, contractor collector, or county's designee will collect solid waste within the district under the following conditions:(1)Garbage, yard waste, and bulky waste will be collected once each week from residential unit. Recyclable materials shall be collected from each residential unit two times per month on regularly scheduled days.
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