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

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

Key Facts

Curbside set-out deadline
7:00 a.m. on pickup day
Cart pull-in deadline
Within 24 hours of pickup
Disability exception
County-confirmed, alternate pickup spot
Damaging a cart
Unlawful under Sec. 50-61
Vacating a unit
7 days' notice required, Sec. 50-58

Summary

Houston County residents must place solid waste carts at the curbside pickup spot by 7:00 a.m. on the scheduled collection day and pull them back in within 24 hours, under General Code Secs. 50-41(4) and 50-56. Limited exceptions exist for documented disabilities and terrain issues.

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

The owner, occupant, tenant, or lessee of each residential unit shall, no later than 7:00 a.m. on the normal pickup days designated by the county, franchisee, contract collector, or county's designee, place the containers at the location established by the county, franchisee, contract collector, or county's designee for pickup. Containers shall be removed from the location to the premises of the owner, occupant, tenant or lessee of each such residential unit no later than 24 hours on the normal day of pickup, subject only to the exceptions enumerated in section 50-57.

Full Breakdown

Sec. on the normal pickup day, and to remove containers from that pickup location back to the premises no later than 24 hours after the normal pickup day, subject only to the exceptions in Sec. 50-57. Sec. curbside deadline for bulk waste, which must be placed neatly alongside the wheeled container, segregated and not mingled with other materials; the deadline shifts to the next collection day if the regular day falls on a holiday, and exceptions apply for inclement weather or unusual circumstances. Sec. 50-57 excuses residents with a documented disability, or age or physical condition, who have no one at the residence physically capable of moving the container, if the county confirms the situation; those residents may get pickup at the container's normal storage spot instead of curbside.

The county may also grant terrain-based exceptions for units unsuited to curbside pickup, instead requiring securely tied plastic bags at a designated spot. Sec. 50-58 additionally bars removing the county-furnished roll-out cart from the premises, and requires seven days' notice to the county before vacating a unit; Sec. 50-61 separately makes it unlawful to willfully damage or destroy a county-provided container.

Violations & Fines

Willfully damaging or destroying a county-issued container is a separate offense under Sec. 50-61. General placement violations, and unlawfully removing a cart from the premises under Sec. 50-58, are punishable under Sec. 1-11: up to $1,000 for each of the first two offenses, and up to $1,000 and/or 60 days in jail for a third, with continuing violations counted daily.

Frequently Asked Questions

What time do I need to put my trash cart out in Houston County?
Containers must be at the county's designated pickup location no later than 7:00 a.m. on the normal pickup day, per Sec. 50-56, and must be brought back to the premises within 24 hours of that pickup day.
Can I get an exception to curbside pickup if I have a disability?
Yes. Sec. 50-57(1) lets a resident with a documented disability, or age or physical limitation, and no one else able to move the container, ask the county to instead pick up the waste at the container's regular storage spot on the premises.
Is it illegal to damage the county's trash cart?
Yes. Sec. 50-61 makes it unlawful to willfully and intentionally damage or destroy, or allow damage or destruction of, any container furnished by the county, franchisee, contract collector, or county's designee.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Houston County

All Houston County rules

Compare Houston County to another location·View the Georgia trash & recycling overview

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