Wake County Code §50.04 requires garbage to be stored only in durable, rust-resistant, nonabsorbent, watertight containers with close-fitting, fly-tight covers. Each city sets its own placement rules; the county does not regulate placement on private lots beyond the storage standard.
The county standard under §50.04 focuses on the container itself, not where it goes. Containers must be durable, rust-resistant, nonabsorbent, watertight, and easily cleaned, with a tight cover. Property owners must keep them in a condition that prevents rodent harborage or odor. Within Raleigh, Cary, Apex, etc., placement rules require carts to be out of street view except 24 hours before/after pickup, set 3-5 feet from the curb on collection day, and stored behind the front building line otherwise. Wake County itself does not enforce a setback-from-curb rule in unincorporated areas, but property maintenance code §94 can be used against accumulations that cause nuisance.
Containers without lids or in deteriorated condition: civil penalty under §50.04 plus abatement notice. Inside cities, fines range $25-200 per occurrence for placement violations.
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See how other cities in Wake County handle bin placement rules.
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