The Shelby County sanitary code (Chapter 44, Division 2) requires every occupant or owner in the unincorporated county to keep enough covered garbage containers for waste on the premises. Containers must be watertight galvanized or plastic and kept tightly lidded; the Memphis and Shelby County Health Department enforces these rules.
Section 44-63 makes it the duty of every person in charge of premises where garbage accumulates (and the owner in multiple-occupancy buildings) to keep a sufficient number of containers. Lids must stay tightly closed except when depositing or removing garbage, and defective containers must be promptly replaced. Containers must be galvanized or plastic and watertight, roughly 20-gallon to 30-gallon. Section 44-64 allows bulk-type containers for private pickup, subject to Health Department approval, and bars using trash containers for garbage. This sanitary code applies to the county outside the corporate limits of all municipalities (section 44-56, 44-57). The Health Department may inspect and enforce, with fines from $5 to $50 under section 44-65.
Failing to keep sufficient covered containers, leaving lids open, using damaged or non-watertight containers, or using trash containers for garbage. Health Department may inspect and cite; fine of $5 to $50 per offense under Shelby County Code section 44-65.
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See how Shelby County's trash bin storage rules stack up against other locations.
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