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Clayton County, GA Trash & Recycling: Bin Placement Rules (2026)

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified July 2026

Key Facts

Until pickup day
Behind the building line
On pickup day
No closer than 10 ft to curb/ROW
Permanent cans
Return to rear same day
Max distance from curb
150 feet
Yard trash
Rear of curbline / off right-of-way

Summary

In unincorporated Clayton County, refuse containers stay behind the building line until the scheduled pickup day, when they may be set out no closer than ten feet from the sidewalk or right-of-way. Permanent containers must be returned to the rear the same day (Sec. 78-6).

These county ordinances apply to unincorporated areas of Clayton County. Incorporated cities within the county may have their own rules that take precedence over county-level regulations.

Containers for the storage of refuse shall be kept to the rear of the building line of the customer until the day scheduled for pickup, at which time it may be placed no closer than ten feet of the sidewalk or right-of-way.

View official code

Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 104).

Full Breakdown

Code of Clayton County Sec. 78-6 requires containers to be kept to the rear of the building line of the customer until the day scheduled for pickup, at which time they may be placed no closer than ten feet of the sidewalk or right-of-way; a permanent-type container must be returned to the rear of the building line on the same day the pickup is made. Sec. 78-9 adds that containers must sit within 150 feet of the curb or paving of a public street and may not be placed within an enclosed carport, and yard trash must be placed to the rear of the curbline or off the street right-of-way. Containers may not exceed 106 gallons or 100 pounds.

Violations & Fines

Violations of the container-placement rules are misdemeanors under Sec. 78-16, each day a separate offense, and can cause the hauler to skip collection.

Frequently Asked Questions

When can I put my trash can out at the curb?
On the scheduled pickup day. Sec. 78-6 says containers stay behind the building line until then and may be set no closer than ten feet from the sidewalk or right-of-way.
Do I have to bring my can back in?
Yes. A permanent-type container must be returned to the rear of the building line on the same day the pickup is made (Sec. 78-6).

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Clayton County

All Clayton County rules

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