Dougherty County, GA Trash & Recycling: Bin Placement Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Container cap
- 32 gallons standard
- Required qualities
- Durable, watertight, rodent-proof, covered
- Bags allowed
- Sealed plastic or paper bags permitted
- Set-out/screening rule
- None printed in the code
- Noncompliant containers
- Must be promptly replaced
Summary
Every residence and business in unincorporated Dougherty County must supply enough waste containers to hold what it generates between collections, and those containers must be durable, watertight, rodent-proof, tightly covered, and no larger than thirty-two gallons unless they are bulk containers built for mechanical pickup. The county code does not set a curbside set-out time or a screening requirement.
(a)Containers shall be provided by the owner or occupant of each residence or establishment sufficient in number of accommodate such waste generated by the residence or establishment between collections. Containers shall be of durable metal or plastic, watertight, nonabsorbent, rust-resistant, rodentproof and easily cleanable. They shall be equipped with handles and tightly fitted covers and shall have a capacity of not more than thirty-two (32) gallons, except that bulk containers of a type suitable for mechanical collection by equipment used for such collection by a licensed collector may be used. Containers failing to comply with these provisions or which have defects causing them to scatter waste upon the ground during collection or causing them to hamper or to injure the persons collecting waste shall be promptly replaced.
Full Breakdown
Section 2-14-6(a) requires that "containers shall be provided by the owner or occupant of each residence or establishment sufficient in number of accommodate such waste generated by the residence or establishment between collections," and specifies that containers "shall be of durable metal or plastic, watertight, nonabsorbent, rust-resistant, rodentproof and easily cleanable," equipped with "handles and tightly fitted covers," and capped at "not more than thirty-two (32) gallons," except for bulk containers suited to mechanical collection by a licensed collector. " The chapter does not print a curbside set-out window or a fencing or screening requirement for residential carts; the only companion protections are Section 2-14-5's ban on storing refuse outside a container and Section 2-14-51's prohibition on anyone but the owner disturbing or removing a collection container. Enforcement runs through the county administrator's solid waste program under Section 2-14-2, with appeals to the board of commissioners under Section 2-14-3.
Violations & Fines
A container that does not meet the thirty-two-gallon, watertight, rodent-proof, and tightly covered specifications of Section 2-14-6(a) must be promptly replaced, and storing refuse outside of a conforming container is separately prohibited as a nuisance under Section 2-14-5, punishable under Section 2-1-8 with each day's failure to correct it a separate violation.
Frequently Asked Questions
How big can my trash can be in unincorporated Dougherty County?
Is there a rule on when I can put my cart out or whether it must be screened from view?
Can I use plastic trash bags instead of a can?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Dougherty County
Compare Dougherty County to another location·View the Georgia trash & recycling overview
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