Charleston, WV Trash & Recycling: Yard Waste Collection (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- Sec. 98-151, Charleston City Code
- Bagging
- Clear bags provided free by city
- Limbs & brush
- Curbside, unbagged, for chipping
- Leaves
- Curbside piles at designated times
- Penalty
- $25 fine plus court costs
Summary
Charleston requires residents to separate yard and green waste from regular trash, bag it in clear city-provided bags, and set limbs or heavy brush at the curb unbagged for chipping.
For residences, prior to collection, persons shall separate yard (green) waste as defined in section 98-41 from municipal solid waste generated at residences. Yard (green) waste shall be set out for collection in clear bags provided by the city. Limbs and heavy brush may be set out at curbside for chipping. At times designated by the public works director, leaves may be piled at the curbside for collection.(b)Clear plastic bags may be provided to each property owner and/or tenant free of charge. Clear plastic bags are for either yard (green) waste or recyclables only. Yard (green) waste and recyclables must be separated from one another. Municipal solid waste must also be separated from yard (green) waste and recyclables. Bags of either yard (green) waste or recyclables that contain any municipal solid waste may not be collected at the discretion of the city.(c)Clear plastic bags shall meet specifications on file in the city manager's office.(d)It shall be unlawful for any commercial, industrial or institutional establishment to dispose of yard (green) waste in the sanitary landfill, unless otherwise permitted by the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection.(e)Any person violating the provisions of this section or any regulation promulgated under this section shall be subject to a fine of $25.00, plus court costs for each violation. (Bill. No. 7621, 5-5-2014)
Secs. 98-152—98-170. - Reserved.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 56).
Full Breakdown
Under Sec. 98-151 of the Charleston City Code, residents must keep yard (green) waste separate from municipal solid waste and household recyclables before collection. Grass, leaves and small yard debris go out in clear plastic bags the city provides free to property owners; bags mixed with regular trash can be left uncollected. Limbs and heavy brush do not need bagging -- set them at the curb and the public works department chips them. Leaves get seasonal pickup: the public works director sets times when residents may pile leaves curbside instead of bagging them. Commercial, industrial and institutional generators cannot dump yard waste at the sanitary landfill unless the state DEP allows it.
Violations & Fines
Violating the yard-waste separation or bagging rules under Sec. 98-151 brings a $25 fine plus court costs for each offense.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to bag my yard waste in Charleston?
What if I mix yard waste with regular trash in the bag?
Can a business haul its own yard waste to the landfill?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Charleston
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