Existing townhome communities that receive private trash collection service may be eligible to convert to City service if they meet certain criteria. There is a minimum 15-month waiting period before City service can begin.
 
On March 1, 2005 the City Council approved changes to Chapter 25 of City ordinances. These changes allow the City to provide trash collection services to attached units that are capable of receiving automated collection service. Not all communities will meet the eligibility criteria.  

On July 1, 2006 Governor Michael Easly signed into law Senate Bill 951 (session law 2006-193) which became effective January 1, 2007.  This law imposes several restrictions on municipalities who intend to provide garbage collection in locations that previously received private collection service.

Before any city can take over private solid waste collection service, it must publish notice of its intention in the local newspaper and place the issue for discussion on the Council agenda. In addition, municipalities "may not commence the actual provisions of these services for a period of 15 months from the date of the first publication of notice, unless the unit of local government provides compensation to the displaced private company."

For more information, visit one of the following pages:

• Eligibility criteria for communities to receive City service 
• Slide presentation (PDF*) with photographs of communities that do/do not meet the eligibility criteria
• Frequently asked questions. 
• City's amendment  (PDF*) to Chapter 25
• Senate Bill 951

*To learn more about PDF files and to download the free Acrobat Reader, visit the PDF page on this website.