Raleigh, NC Trash & Recycling: Dumpster Rules (2026)

Raleigh City Code Sec. 7-2004(a) puts dumpster and roll-off placement under Solid Waste Services Director review at the development-plan stage. Site plans must show dumpster enclosure specifications and pad specs covering the concrete strength of the pad plus the 30-foot area in front of it, along with the exact travel path collection trucks will take from street to dumpster and back out, including turn radius for every turn. Before the city approves the plan, the property owner or developer must submit a Will Serve or Ability to Serve Letter on the private hauler's letterhead confirming the hauler has reviewed the dumpster, pad, and enclosure specs and can service the site safely; the letter must be cross-referenced in the site plan index to the page carrying the required detail.

The rule reaches every project that can't use individual roll-out carts: attached dwellings of more than four units per building sharing roll-out carts may not use a central storage location at all (Sec. 7-2004(a)(1)), attached-dwelling developments without a separate driveway per unit or units stacked vertically must provide a common collection facility such as a dumpster or compactor (Sec. 7-2004(a)(2)), and non-residential properties must use common collection facilities for garbage, recycling, and yard waste unless they qualify for a narrow small-business curbside exception (Sec. 7-2004(a)(3)).

Planned Developments processed under the UDO can get an alternate or modified collection plan approved by Solid Waste Services if standard dumpster placement isn't workable on the site (Sec. 7-2004(a)(4)).