Rock Hill's residential garbage container rules are codified in Chapter 17 (Solid Waste) of the Code of Ordinances and operationalized by the Public Works Department. Every residential household served by the City must bag all garbage and place it inside a 95-gallon green roll cart issued by the City; the cart lid must be closed for automated collection to occur. The cart must be set out at the curb in front of the house no earlier than 6:30 AM on the scheduled collection day (the City's older guidance allowed set-out as early as noon the day before) and removed from the curb by 6:30 AM the day after collection. Carts must stand at least four feet clear of mailboxes, recycling bins, utility poles, parked cars, and other obstructions, and not under utility lines, so the automated arm can swing in without damage.
Rock Hill's solid-waste program is authorized under SC Code §5-7-30 (municipal police powers and uniform service charges) and the SC Solid Waste Policy and Management Act of 1991 (SC Code §44-96-10 et seq.), and is codified locally at Chapter 17 (Solid Waste) of the City Code of Ordinances. The City furnishes every residential customer a 95-gallon green roll cart; the current cost to the customer for a replacement cart is $70. All household garbage must be bagged before going into the cart, fit inside the cart, and the lid must be closed - the City Public Works trucks are automated rear/side-loaders and will not collect bags or items left outside the cart in normal operation. The City reserves the right to collect bagged overflow set beside the cart but adds applicable charges to the customer's utility account when it does so. Carts must be placed at the curb in front of the house or apartment for collection, with set-out timed to the scheduled collection day. The City's current operational rule is 'by 6:30 AM on your scheduled collection day' with removal 'by 6:30 AM the next day'; earlier published guidance allowed set-out 'no earlier than noon the day before' and removal 'by 7 AM the day after' - residents should treat the tighter 6:30 AM rule as the current City standard. Carts must be at least four feet clear of mailboxes, recycling bins, utility poles, parked cars, and other objects, and never directly under utility lines, so the automated truck arm can swing in without damage. Residents are responsible for keeping carts in sanitary condition. The cart has a 10-year manufacturer warranty against defects in workmanship, and broken lids or wheels are repaired free if parts are available. To order, replace, or service a cart, call Public Works at 803-325-2500.
Garbage placed outside the cart, unbagged garbage inside the cart, an open or overflowing lid, or carts left at the curb beyond the day after collection are non-compliant and may be left uncollected, with applicable service charges added to the customer's utility account when Public Works performs cleanup. Property-condition violations involving trash containers (cart stored in front yard outside set-out window, damaged or unsanitary cart, debris around cart) are enforced by Neighborhood Services under the 2021 International Property Maintenance Code as adopted by Rock Hill; the City issues one courtesy notice per calendar year with a 7-day cure period, then a second 7-day Notice of Violation, then tickets every 7 days at $25, $50, and $100 (max $250) before a summons to Environmental Court. Neighborhood Services contact: 803-329-7014.
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