Iredell County, NC Trash & Recycling: Bin Placement Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- Sec. 12-7, Storage
- Container material
- Metal or equally durable material
- Container features
- Watertight, fly-proof, rodent-proof, covered
- Minimum capacity
- One week's garbage accumulation
- Approving official
- County health director
Summary
Iredell County requires garbage to be kept in a health-director-approved container that is metal or equally durable, watertight, fly-proof and rodent-proof, with handles and a fitted cover kept in place except while loading or emptying it.
Sec. 12-7. - Storage. No owner, occupant, tenant or lessee of any property shall permit any garbage or other refuse to accumulate upon such property that is not stored in a manner approved by the health director. (a)Garbage shall be stored in a container of a type approved by the health director. Every such container shall be constructed of metal, or equally durable material, in such a manner as to be strong, watertight, not easily corrodible, fly proof, and rodent proof. It shall have handles designed for lifting and flyproof covers which shall be kept in place at all times except when garbage or other refuse is being deposited in or removed from such container.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 32).
Full Breakdown
Section 12-7 of the solid waste chapter bars any property owner, occupant, tenant or lessee from letting garbage or refuse accumulate unless it is stored in a manner the county health director approves. The container itself must be constructed of metal or equally durable material, built strong, watertight, not easily corrodible, fly-proof and rodent-proof, and must have lifting handles and a fly-proof cover kept in place at all times except while garbage is actively being deposited or removed. The health director can approve alternative containers that do not meet these exact specifications if the property owner shows the substitute meets applicable health standards, giving some flexibility for unusual storage setups.
The property must keep enough containers on hand to hold at least one week's worth of garbage, and each container must be kept clean enough that it creates no odor or nuisance. S. 130A-19 and 130A-20. Subsection (c) separately bars anyone from dumping waste into another person's garbage can, dumpster or container without first getting the owner's or lessee's permission. S. 153A-122.
Violations & Fines
Violations of section 12-7 fall under the chapter's general penalty scheme at section 12-12: a criminal misdemeanor punishable by up to a $50 fine or 30 days in jail, or a civil penalty up to $500 under G.S. 153A-123, with the solid waste enforcement officer required to issue a written notice of violation before any citation issues, and each day of noncompliance treated as a separate violation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of garbage container does Iredell County require?
Can I use a non-standard container for my trash?
Can I put trash in my neighbor's dumpster?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Iredell County
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