North Carolina county updates solid waste ordinance

Beaufort County, North Carolina, has announced it will implement an update to the Beaufort County Solid Waste Ordinance that provides comprehensive definitions and regulations regarding accumulated waste materials beginning July 1.

The update will allow the Beaufort County Public Works staff to address complaints regarding properties with what it calls accumulated “junk” materials in unincorporated areas of Beaufort County.

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Changes to the solid waste ordinance include:

Defines the term “junk” as all articles such as old appliances, furniture, boxes, cardboard, paper, glass, old wood, tires, mattresses, litter, combustible or flammable waste or rubbish, scrap metal, pallets, building materials, boat or car parts and similar articles and materials.

• Adds the following section: No owner, occupant, tenant, lessee, or owner’s agent of any property shall store, keep, or accumulate junk on his property or allow anyone else to store, keep, or accumulate junk on his property.  Absent other welfare, health, and safety threats, the mere presence of junk on property shall not constitute a violation if: 
• The junk is completely screened from public view using fencing, landscaping, berms or other acceptable means that block the items from public view
• The junk is being stored in a building, wholly enclosed except for doors for ingress or egress, which is not in violation of any other local, state or federal regulations
• The junk has been stored on the property for less than 30 days.
• States that failure to remove junk from a property within 30 days of notification by the County will result in a Tier Two civil penalty.  

Penalty amounts published in the fiscal year 2025-2026 Solid Waste Fee Schedule range from a written warning to $500 per offense.