Forsyth County, GA Trash & Recycling: Bin Placement Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Setout Zone
- Within 10 ft of street
- Yard Debris
- Bag; no plastic bags
- Curb Limit
- 2 weeks max at curb
- HOA Rules
- Often add screening
Summary
Set carts at the curb per your private hauler's instructions. County code defines the curbside setout zone as no more than ten feet from the street edge, and yard trimmings may not sit at the curb longer than two weeks.
Curbside means the area between the sidewalk and the street edge or, in areas without sidewalks, the area between the edge of the traveled portion of any public or private street and the property line, which area shall not exceed ten feet. However, the term "curbside" shall also denote and include any other permissible areas on a property where solid waste is regularly placed or deposited for collection, such as, for example, by a garage door.
Customer means a person who uses the solid waste or recycling collection services of a permitted solid waste collector or the appropriate governmental agency or who uses solid waste or recycling disposal facilities, whether publicly or privately owned, located in the county.
Department means the county department of sanitation.
Designated recovered/recyclable material collection location means the location or locations where the owner of the recyclable material places such material for the purpose of materials recovery and recycling, including curbside and recovered material storage containers.
Disposal facility means any facility or location where the disposition of solid waste occurs and includes, but is not limited to, landfills, transfer stations and solid waste thermal treatment technology facilities.
Disposal operation means the performance of solid waste disposal and includes the administration, personnel, land, equipment, design and other elements necessary or used in the work of solid waste disposal.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 43).
Full Breakdown
Because collection is handled by private haulers, day-to-day cart placement in Forsyth County follows your hauler's rules rather than a county schedule. County code does define curbside as the strip between the street edge and property line, not exceeding ten feet, which is where setout is expected. Yard trimmings must be bagged separately, never in plastic bags, or, for branches under four feet long and six inches thick, neatly stacked. Yard debris cannot remain at the curb more than two weeks, with each additional day a separate violation. Many Forsyth subdivisions are HOA-governed and add stricter cart-screening rules.
Violations & Fines
Yard trimmings left at the curb beyond two weeks draw a citation, each additional day a separate offense. HOA cart-storage fines are separate.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where do I put my bins?
How long can yard waste sit at the curb?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Forsyth County
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