North Charleston, SC Trash & Recycling: Yard Waste Collection (2026)
Key Facts
- Log/limb size limit
- 6 in. diameter, 4 ft. length
- Grass/leaves
- paper bags only, curbside
- Mixed materials
- not collected if unseparated
- Governing section
- City Code § 9-46(a)
Summary
The City of North Charleston requires logs and limbs cut to six inches in diameter and four feet in length, with leaves and grass clippings bagged separately at curbside on garbage day.
(3)Logs and limbs up to six (6) inches in diameter and not longer than four (4) feet in length, bushes and shrubs.(4)Leaves and grass clippings shall be placed at curbside in paper bags designed for the purpose of leaf and clippings disposal. No household garbage may be placed in with leaves or grass clippings. Home composting of leaves and grass is encouraged for all residents.(b)Trash items that shall not be accepted by the city for disposal include:(1)Hazardous materials including lead acid batteries, paint, partially-filled paint containers, oil, gasoline, diesel fuel, petroleum products and chemicals, roofing shingles and felt paper and any items identified, from time to time as hazardous waste by the state department of health and environmental control (DHEC).(2)More than one (1) cubic yard of concrete, concrete blocks, bricks and tile.(3)Creosote treated items.(4)Large stumps and logs (stumps may be divided into smaller pieces similar to the log sizes outlined above and must have all dirt removed from them).(5)Pressurized containers and fuel containers. Items designated above as inappropriate for city collection shall be disposed of through private disposal providers or the appropriate county facility.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 75).
Full Breakdown
Public works collects yard debris in four categories: white goods/metal, furniture and building materials, logs and limbs (up to 6 inches in diameter, 4 feet long), and bagged leaves/grass clippings. Logs, limbs, bushes and shrubs must be separated at the curb from furniture and building-material piles, mixed piles are not collected, and leaves or grass clippings go out in paper yard-waste bags the same day as household garbage, never mixed with the garbage itself. Home composting is encouraged as an alternative.
Violations & Fines
Mixed or unseparated piles of logs, limbs, furniture and building material are left uncollected until sorted; household garbage bagged together with leaves or grass clippings is also refused pickup.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I put grass clippings in a garbage bag?
How big can tree limbs be for curbside pickup?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in North Charleston
Compare North Charleston to another location·View the South Carolina trash & recycling overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.