Wilmington, DE Trash & Recycling: Bin Placement Rules (2026)

New Castle County does not operate county trash collection, so detailed bin placement rules come from private haulers and subdivision covenants rather than a county ordinance. General NCC Code Chapter 9 property maintenance standards apply: bins cannot obstruct sidewalks or streets, create tripping hazards, or be stored in a manner that creates a blighted appearance. Most private haulers require bins at curbside by 6 AM on collection day with at least 3 feet of clearance from other bins, mailboxes, parked cars, and utility poles. Bins should face the street with handles toward the house. Lids must be fully closed. After pickup, bins are expected to be retrieved typically within 12 to 24 hours and stored behind the front building line out of view from the street. HOA covenants in subdivisions such as Pike Creek, Hockessin, Greenville, and Brandywine Hundred often impose stricter visibility and enclosure requirements. City of Wilmington and City of Newark have separate municipal rules with specific bin types and curb times. Delaware Title 17 §1361 prohibits objects in the public right-of-way that obstruct traffic visibility, which can apply to chronically misplaced bins.