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Winston-Salem, NC Trash & Recycling: Yard Waste Collection (2026)

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

Free brush limit
1 truckload (10 cu yd)
Size limit
6 in. diameter, 6 ft long
Extra load fee
$100 each
Who may cut it
Owner, occupant, or hired yard man
Leaf season
Nov 1 – Jan 15

Summary

Winston-Salem collects brush and shrubbery trimmings free up to one truckload (10 cubic yards) when residents place cut branches under six inches in diameter and six feet long at the curb; extra loads cost $100 each under Sec. 26-9.

No tree trunks, branches, limbs or other shrubbery larger than six inches in diameter and longer than six feet shall be collected by the city. Tree and shrubbery limbs should have protruding branches trimmed and shall be neatly stacked and placed in an orderly manner at the curb side with cut ends pointing in the same direction.

View official code

Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 102 | Personnel: Supplement 96 | Water and Sewer: Supplement 56 | Solid Waste: Supplement 15).

Full Breakdown

Under Code § 26-9, brush and shrubbery trimmings cut to no more than six inches in diameter and six feet long must be neatly stacked at the curb, cut ends aligned, and stored separately from yard trash, household trash and loose leaves. The city collects one truckload (ten cubic yards) free when the work was done by the property owner, occupant, or a hired yard man; additional loads cost $100 each, payable through the revenue department before pickup. Brush cut by landscapers, tree services, or land-clearing contractors is not collected. Loose leaves are vacuumed curbside only from November 1 through January 15 under § 26-6(d).

Violations & Fines

Leaving brush cut by a landscaper or contractor at the curb, or piling loads over one truckload without paying the $100 removal fee, is a class 3 misdemeanor under G.S. 14-4, fine up to $500.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will Winston-Salem pick up brush cut by a landscaper?
No. Sec. 26-9(d) excludes brush, limbs, and trimmings cut by landscapers, tree service contractors, or other commercial workmen: the owner must arrange private removal for that material.
How much brush can I put at the curb for free?
One truckload, up to ten cubic yards, is collected free under Sec. 26-9(c) when the property owner, occupant, or a hired yard man did the cutting. Additional loads cost $100 each.
Can I mix brush with my yard trash or leaves?
No. Sec. 26-9(b) requires brush and shrubbery trimmings to be stored separately at the curb from yard trash, household trash, and loose leaves.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Winston-Salem

Collection ScheduleSome RestrictionsBulk Item DisposalSome RestrictionsAnimal Ordinances: Chickens & LivestockSome RestrictionsRecycling RequirementsSome RestrictionsIllegal DumpingHeavy RestrictionsDumpster RulesSome RestrictionsBin Placement RulesSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Towing & Impound RightsSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Commercial & Oversized VehiclesSignificant RestrictionsParking Rules: EV ChargingSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Loading ZonesSome RestrictionsLandscaping Rules: Tree Removal & Heritage TreesSome Restrictions

All Winston-Salem rules

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