WASHINGTON, N.C. – Beginning July 1, 2025, an update to the Beaufort County Solid Waste Ordinance will be implemented, providing comprehensive definitions and regulations regarding accumulated junk material.

This update will allow Beaufort County Public Works staff to address complaints regarding properties with accumulated junk material in unincorporated areas of Beaufort County.

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 FY 2025-2026 Solid Waste Fee Schedule range from a written warning to $500 per offense.

The updated Solid Waste Ordinance is posted at BeaufortCountyNC.gov.

For more information, call Beaufort County Solid Waste at 252-975-0720, Ext. 2 or email solidwaste@beaufortcountync.gov.