Frequently Asked Questions

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How can I obtain a landfill permit?
Landfill permits can be obtained by completing a landfill permit application; providing the necessary documentation listed on the application; and following the instructions provided. Once processed and approved, the appropriate decal will be issued to the applicant. Click here for the landfill permit application.

How can residents subscribe to the recycling program?
Click here for more information.

Is glass being recycled?
While the County no longer accepts glass in curbside single-stream recycling, residents can recycle glass using county-operated glass recycling drop-off locations. Click here for more information.

What time should garbage, yard trimmings and recyclables be placed curbside for collection?
All garbage, yard trimmings and recyclables must be placed curbside by 7 a.m. on scheduled collection days.  

Does the Sanitation Division collect furniture and appliances at the curb?
Yes. This service is available free to all residential curbside customers. Refrigerator and freezer doors must be secured or removed, and placed on the right-of-way away from mailboxes, sidewalks, utilities, roadways or drainage ditches. All food must be removed prior to placing refrigerators at the curb for collection. Once the furniture or appliance is placed curbside, residents are required to submit a bulky item collection request. Click here for more information on options for submitting requests.

How should paint be prepared for proper disposal?
Paint can be collected at the curb on residents’ scheduled collection day as long as the paint has solidified, and will not pour out of the can. Residents can use kitty litter or another drying agent to solidify liquid paint. Another method is to remove the paint can’s lid, and stir the paint daily until it hardens in the can. Full cans of paint must be dry to the bottom, and not simply crusted over. Kindly ensure that paint cans are left beside the garbage roll cart, and not placed inside the roll cart with household garbage. The lid must be removed, and can either be placed in residents’ single-stream recycling container, or disposed in bagged garbage inside the garbage roll cart.  Cans with liquid paint placed in collection trucks can spill and leak onto roads. Paint spills on roads are extremely difficult to remove.

What is the proper size for tree parts?
Tree trunks must be cut small enough in size that they can be hand loaded to the collection vehicle. Each tree part must not exceed 25 lbs. in weight. Limbs and branches must not exceed four feet in length, and must be stacked neatly at the curb. Twigs, leaves, pine straw and other small vegetation items must be placed in paper biodegradable bags or containers up to 40 gallons that are clean and have not been exposed to loose household refuse.

How is new sanitation service established?
Residents requesting new sanitation service are required to complete a new service application. Proof of ownership or a lease agreement will be requested. A prorated annual sanitation service fee will be required prior to activating collection service. Click here for more information on how to establish new sanitation service.

How are residential collection services billed and paid?
Residents' annual sanitation assessment fees are billed on annual property tax statements through the Tax Commissioner's office, and listed as a separate line item. Please visit the Tax Commissioner's website for more information on payment options.

What services are included in the annual sanitation assessment fee?
Once-a-week household garbage, recyclable materials and yard trimmings collection, and bulky item collections.

Do you collect building materials and is there a charge?
Yes, please click here for the fee schedule.

Does the Sanitation Division collect tires curbside from residents?
NO. However, residents may take a maximum of 10 passenger tires per visit to the Seminole Road Landfill, 4203 Clevemont Road, Ellenwood, GA 30294. A fee of $1 per tire is required. Please call (404) 687-4020 for more information.

Does the county have a landfill for public use?
Yes. The Seminole Road Landfill is located at 4203 Clevemont Road, Ellenwood, GA 30294.  Please call (404) 687-4020 for more information.

What items can residents dispose at the landfill, and at what cost?
Click here for more information on landfill operations.

Who handles mowing on county rights of way, and litter on county roads and rights of way?
Property owners are responsible for maintaining the right of way joining their property. The Beautification Unit - Keep DeKalb Beautiful periodically mows overgrown county rights of way; trims bushes; increases sight vision on rights of way and county-owned vacant lots; and collects litter on roads and rights of way. For more information, visit the Beautification Unit - Keep DeKalb Beautiful website by clicking here.

How should dead animals be handled?
Dead animals are collected by the Sanitation Division from county rights of way and roads. Residents have the option of transporting dead domestic animals to the division’s Animal Crematory or Seminole Road Landfill. Click here for more information.