Yard Waste

What is a Yard Waste Notification facility?

Yard Waste Notification facilities (or sites) are small composting and/or mulching operations designed to repurpose yard waste into a soil addition or beneficial landscaping material. These small-scale facilities can operate without the need for a full permit from the Division of Waste Management. While there is no permit required for operation, the DWM does require that a notification form detailing facility operations be submitted prior to beginning operations and annually thereafter. In addition, Yard Waste Notification facilities must meet the criteria specified below. Facilities larger than two acres in size must submit a permit application as required in 15A North Carolina Administrative Code 13B .1405.

Yard Waste Notifications

The Yard Waste Notification form is now available as an online form. Renewal forms are due prior to June 1 each year, and new facility forms must be submitted before starting operations.

The forms on this page should only be used by facilities that meet the following criteria:

  • Are less than two acres in size.
  • Material must be processed and removed from the site on a regular basis, so that 75 percent , by weight or volume, of material is removed within a calendar year of receipt. In other words, Yard Waste Notification sites are not approved for permanent storage or final disposal.  Facilities are required to track incoming/outgoing volumes and provide the information to the Division of Waste Management upon request to verify compliance.
  • Only accept Type I waste (commonly referred to as yard waste). Yard waste is defined in 15A N.C. Administrative Code 13B .0101 and includes “yard trash,” “land clearing debris,” and unpainted and untreated wood. Yard trash is material resulting from landscaping and yard maintenance including brush, grass, tree limbs, and similar vegetative material. Land clearing debris is material generated solely from land clearing activities and includes stumps, limbs, leaves and grass. Note: Leaves are considered yard trash. Up to 30 cubic yards of separated leaves can be received on an annual basis without obtaining a yard waste notification.
  • Meet minimum buffer requirements specified in 15A N.C. Administrative Code 13B .1404

Reminder: Facilities larger than two acres in size must submit a permit application as required in 15A North Carolina Administrative Code 13B .1405.

For questions or more information about Yard Waste Notifications sites, please contact Dylan Friedenberg at the Division of Waste Management Solid Waste Section at dylan.friedenberg@ncdenr.gov or 919-707-8248.

Yard Waste Notification Renewal Form

 

 

Yard Waste Notification Facility Renewal Form

 

Yard Waste Notification Form Reference

This form is specifically for yard waste sites that have previously been approved by the section. This form is not designed for new facilities. 

Instructions:

  • This notification form must be submitted annually by June 1st of each year.
  • If you have questions about completing this form, please contact Dylan Friedenberg at dylan.friedenberg@ncdenr.gov or 919-707-8248.

Yard Waste Notification Closure

If your facility is no longer active, please complete the Notice of Ceased Operation of a Yard Waste Facility form.

Notice of Ceased Operation of a Yard Waste Facility Form

Yard Waste Notification NEW Facility Form

 

 

Yard Waste Notification NEW Facility Form

 

New Yard Waste Notification Form Reference

This form is specifically for new yard waste facilities. Do not submit this form if you have been previously approved to operate a yard waste site. The correct form is located above.

Instructions:

  • Do not forget to upload your aerial photograph in Question #2 on the form. Your application is considered incomplete without it.
  • If you have questions about completing this form, please contact Dylan Friedenberg at dylan.friedenberg@ncdenr.gov or 919-707-8248.