Wake County, NC Trash & Recycling: Bulk Item Disposal (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- Code § 50.04(D)-(E)
- Outdoor time limit
- 72 hours
- Exemption
- Licensed junk dealers
- Applies to
- Unincorporated county only
Summary
Wake County bans leaving bulky waste like old furniture or appliances outside a home for more than 72 hours, except for licensed junk dealers.
No owner, occupant, tenant or lessee of a building or dwelling, other than a licensed junk dealer, may place or leave, or cause to be placed or left, outside the building or dwelling any bulky waste for longer than 72 hours.
(F) No owner, occupant, tenant or lessee of any building or dwelling may leave outside the building or dwelling, in a place accessible to children, any abandoned or unattended ice box, freezer, refrigerator or other receptacle that has an airtight door without first removing the door.
(G) Solid waste shall be disposed of only in one of the following ways:
(1) In a sanitary landfill approved and permitted by the Department;
(2) In an incinerator that has all required local, state and federal control permits; or
(3) By any other method, including recycling and resource recovery, that has been approved by the Department.
(H) In addition to the methods listed in division (G) above, refuse may be disposed of in solid waste receptacles provided by the county.
(I) No person may discard, dispose, leave or dump any solid waste on or along any street or highway or on public or private property unless solid waste is placed in a receptacle or at a location designated for the deposit of solid waste.
(J) Construction wastes must be disposed of at disposal sites approved and permitted by the Department.
(K) Regulated medical, hazardous and radioactive waste must be disposed of
Full Breakdown
Under County Code § 50.04(D)-(E), refuse including lumber, boxes, tires, cardboard, old furniture and other bulky waste must be stored to resist rodents and vermin and avoid fire hazards. No owner, occupant, tenant or lessee, other than a licensed junk dealer, may place or leave bulky waste outside a building or dwelling for longer than 72 hours. This applies only in unincorporated Wake County; the Solid Waste Division enforces it under the Chapter 50 penalty provisions.
Violations & Fines
Misdemeanor up to $500 fine or 30 days jail, or a civil penalty up to $500 under G.S. § 153A-123; each day is a separate offense.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long can I leave old furniture outside in Wake County?
What counts as bulky waste?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Wake County
Compare Wake County to another location·View the North Carolina trash & recycling overview
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