Shelby County government does not provide universal curbside garbage collection in most unincorporated areas; residents typically contract a private hauler for service. The county sanitary code (Chapter 44) governs how garbage is stored. Northaven is an exception, where a county-contracted hauler collects trash weekly with bulk pickup twice a month.
In most unincorporated Shelby County, residents arrange and pay a private company directly for trash collection; the county does not run countywide curbside routes. The county sanitary code (Chapter 44, Division 2) still governs how garbage is stored, requiring covered watertight containers and authorizing private bulk-container pickup approved by the Memphis and Shelby County Health Department (section 44-63, 44-64). Sections 44-56 and 44-57 make this code apply outside the corporate limits of all municipalities. In the Northaven community, a company contracted with Shelby County Government picks up trash weekly, with bulk items twice a month, and a fee added to residents' utility bills. Residents inside Memphis or the suburban cities receive municipal collection, not county service.
Improper garbage storage, using unapproved containers, or unlawful disposal instead of arranging service. Health Department enforces sanitary-code storage rules (section 44-63 to 44-65); most unincorporated residents must contract a private hauler for pickup.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
shelby-county-tn
Backyard composting is allowed in Shelby County and has no dedicated permit, but compost and organic material must be managed so it does not become harmful v...
shelby-county-tn
Shelby County has no ordinance banning or specially permitting artificial turf. Synthetic turf is not counted as living landscaping under the Unified Develop...
shelby-county-tn
The Memphis and Shelby County Unified Development Code favors native landscaping, directing that trees and shrubs be predominately hardy Tennessee native spe...
shelby-county-tn
Shelby County has no ordinance prohibiting or specially licensing residential rainwater harvesting. Rain barrels and cisterns are generally allowed, and Tenn...
shelby-county-tn
Shelby County has no mandatory outdoor watering schedule. Water is supplied by Memphis Light, Gas and Water from the Memphis Sand Aquifer, and MLGW promotes ...
shelby-county-tn
The Code of Shelby County authorizes the county to compel owners of unincorporated property to cut rank weeds, grasses, and underbrush deemed a health or tra...
See how Shelby County's pickup rules & schedules rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.