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Winston-Salem, NC Trash & Recycling: Bin Placement Rules (2026)

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

Key Facts

Earliest set-out
5:00 p.m. day before pickup
Latest set-out
6:00 a.m. on collection day
Removal deadline
8:00 a.m. next day (Mon. after Fri.)
Cart cap
three 96-gal. carts / 288 gallons
Max fine
$500.00, class 3 misdemeanor

Summary

Winston-Salem residents may put garbage carts at the curb starting 5:00 p.m. the evening before pickup and must remove them by 8:00 a.m. the next morning; carts must stay covered and can't be hidden in a garage or an enclosure without gate access.

Residents may place the container at the curb no earlier than 5:00 p.m. on the day before the resident's normally scheduled collection day. Carts should be placed out no later than 6:00 a.m. on the normal day of collection. All carts should be removed from the curb by 8:00 a.m. the day after collection, unless collected on a Friday. Friday collection carts must be removed by 8:00 a.m. Monday, unless the schedule is changed.

View official code

Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 102 | Personnel: Supplement 96 | Water and Sewer: Supplement 56 | Solid Waste: Supplement 15).

Full Breakdown

City code caps curbside garbage collection at three 96-gallon carts or 288 gallons total per pickup (Sec. 26-6(a)). Residents can set carts out no earlier than 5:00 p.m. the evening before collection and must have them at the curb by 6:00 a.m. on collection day; carts come off the curb by 8:00 a.m. the next morning, or by 8:00 a.m. Monday for Friday routes (Sec. 26-6(c)). Carts must stay tightly covered, and if stored inside a fence or enclosure, the enclosure needs gate access so crews never have to lift the cart over it (Sec. 26-3(c)).

Violations & Fines

Violating any part of Sec. 26-6, including the set-out and removal window, is a class 3 misdemeanor under G.S. 14-4, punishable by a fine of up to $500.00.

Frequently Asked Questions

When can I put my garbage cart out in Winston-Salem?
No earlier than 5:00 p.m. the day before your scheduled pickup, and no later than 6:00 a.m. on collection day. Bring it back in by 8:00 a.m. the next morning, or Monday after Friday routes.
Can I store my garbage cart behind a fence?
Yes, but the enclosure must have a gate so collection crews can reach the cart without lifting it over the barrier, per Sec. 26-3(c).

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Winston-Salem

Collection ScheduleSome RestrictionsBulk Item DisposalSome RestrictionsAnimal Ordinances: Chickens & LivestockSome RestrictionsRecycling RequirementsSome RestrictionsIllegal DumpingHeavy RestrictionsDumpster RulesSome RestrictionsYard Waste CollectionSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Towing & Impound RightsSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Commercial & Oversized VehiclesSignificant RestrictionsParking Rules: EV ChargingSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Loading ZonesSome RestrictionsLandscaping Rules: Tree Removal & Heritage TreesSome Restrictions

All Winston-Salem rules

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