Beaufort County, SC Trash & Recycling: Dumpster Rules (2026)

Section 4.2.180 of the Community Development Code, Waste Receptacles and Refuse Collection Areas, governs commercial dumpsters and roll-off containers everywhere except "individual single-family detached dwellings, two-family dwellings, and temporary waste receptacles on construction sites." Subsection A sets the location rule: "Waste receptacles and refuse collection areas shall be set back at least five feet from a side or rear lot line, and shall not be located within the front or street side setback area." That keeps dumpsters out of view from the street and off a neighbor's fence line.

Subsection B requires a hard surface: "Areas intended for large waste receptacles and refuse collection shall be surfaced with concrete or other material approved by the County Engineer," so a dumpster cannot simply sit on bare ground or gravel without engineering sign-off. Subsection C targets grease and liquid waste generators specifically: "Eating establishments and other uses that produce significant amounts of liquid waste shall configure areas intended for large waste receptacles and refuse collection to drain to an approved stormwater management system through grease traps or similar devices," preventing dumpster runoff from reaching storm drains untreated. Finally, Subsection D cross-references the county's general screening rule, requiring every commercial waste and refuse collection area to "meet the screening requirements in Section 5.8.100 (Screening)," meaning dumpster pads must be enclosed or landscaped from view, not left exposed at the edge of a parking lot.