Forsyth County, NC Trash & Recycling: Pickup Rules & Schedules (2026)
Key Facts
- Trash removal
- At least once each week
- Recycling removal
- At least every 14 days
- Unincorporated service
- Franchised garbage collection
- Hauler duty
- Weekly pickup (Sec. 19-45)
- Landfill info
- (336) 727-8000
Summary
Owners or occupants must remove solid waste at least once each week. Unincorporated households and small businesses use affordable franchised garbage collection. Franchise haulers must collect at least weekly, provided the account is under 30 days in arrears.
The owner or occupant of all premises upon which solid waste is accumulated or stored shall remove or cause to be removed or disposed of all such materials from such premises at least once each week, meaning once each seven (7) days.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 68).
Full Breakdown
Forsyth County Code Sec. 19-7 requires the owner or occupant of any premises where solid waste accumulates to remove it at least once each week (every seven days); recyclable recovered material must be removed at least every 14 days. In unincorporated areas, all households and small businesses have access to affordable franchised garbage collection. Under Sec. 19-45, a franchise holder must remove solid waste from a customer's premises at least once per week, so long as the customer is no more than 30 days behind on fees. Winston-Salem and other towns run their own municipal collection.
Violations & Fines
Failing to remove accumulated solid waste weekly violates Chapter 19: misdemeanor up to $500 or 30 days (G.S. 14-4) plus civil penalty up to $500 (G.S. 153A-123), each day a separate offense.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often must trash be picked up in Forsyth County?
Who collects trash in unincorporated Forsyth County?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Forsyth County
Compare Forsyth County to another location·View the North Carolina trash & recycling overview
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