Trash & Recycling in Wake County, NC (2026)

Wake County Code § 50.04(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 with adequate handles or bails to facilitate handling. ... The number of containers shall be adequate to store one week's accumulation of garbage. Each container shall be kept clean so that no odor or other nuisance condition exi...

Wake County Code § 50.04(E)

No owner, occupant, tenant or lessee of a building or dwelling, other than a licensed junk dealer, may place or leave, or cause to be placed or left, outside the building or dwelling any bulky waste for longer than 72 hours.    (F)   No owner, occupant, tenant or lessee of any building or dwelling may leave outside the building or dwelling, in a place accessible to children, any abandoned or un...

Wake County Code § 50.19(A); § 50.99(C)(1)

It shall be unlawful for any person to sweep, throw or deposit... any litter into, upon or along a drain, gutter, street, road, highway, sidewalk, alley, vacant or occupied lot, walk, parking lot, embankment, or upon any public or private premises within the county... Any person who is found in violation of § 50.19 shall be subject to a civil penalty of $250 for the first violation, $500 for th...

Wake County UDO § 17-12-1

All of the following must provide for the enclosure and screening of dumpsters and trash collection bins: (A) Multi-unit buildings containing more than five dwelling unit; and (B) Business, commercial, industrial or manufacturing uses.

Wake County Code § 50.04(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 (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 with adequate handles or bails to facilitate ...