Item: Furniture (couches, mattresses, bed frames, desks, chairs, area rugs), bulky household items Jurisdiction: Raleigh city limits, North Carolina Last updated: July 2026
Quick Answer
Raleigh offers Bulky Load curbside pickup for furniture and large household items — $35 per load (4 cu yd, roughly two couches or three queen mattresses). The fee is charged on your next utility bill. You must schedule by phone at 919-996-3245 — placing items at the curb before scheduling can result in fines of $150 to $500.
| Detail | What You Need to Know |
|---|---|
| Service | Bulky Load curbside pickup |
| Cost | $35 per load (4 cu yd) |
| Schedule | Call 919-996-3245 — scheduling required |
| Billing | Fee on next City of Raleigh utility bill |
| Availability | Residents receiving city curbside garbage service |
| Not available | Businesses, commercial entities |
| Cancel policy | Before noon business day before for refund |
| Fine for early placement | $150 admin fee; $250–$500 per City Code violation |
Do not put furniture at the curb before calling. Items set out before your scheduled pickup date are subject to administrative fines. Always call first, schedule a date, then place items out the evening before or morning of your scheduled collection.
Consider donation via the Raleigh Reuse App if your furniture is still usable.
Quick Facts
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Primary contact | Solid Waste Services — 919-996-3245 |
| Official source hub | Raleigh Bulky, Special & E-Waste Collection |
| Collection day | Scheduled by phone — not on a fixed day |
| Load size | 4 cubic yards (approx two couches or three queen mattresses) |
| Pickup limit | No limit on number of pickups you can schedule |
| Accepted items | Furniture, mattresses, box springs, bedframes, area rugs, push lawnmowers (fuel emptied), grills (propane tank removed), bicycles (no tires) |
| Not accepted | Cardboard, batteries, glass, tires, car parts, construction debris, hazardous waste |
| Apartment eligibility | Uncertain for shared dumpster properties — call 919-996-3245 to confirm |
| Reuse option | Raleigh Reuse App (Apple App Store and Google Play) |
Bulky Load Collection — What, When, and How Much
Bulky Load is the city's program for collecting large household items that do not fit in your regular garbage cart. A single load is defined as 4 cubic yards — roughly the volume of a small pickup truck bed.
What fits in one load:
- A couch and a loveseat
- Three queen-size mattresses
- Two full-size couches
- A dining table and four chairs
- An area rug and a bed frame
- Combinations that fit within the 4 cu yd volume
There is no limit on how many times you can schedule a pickup. Need two loads this month? Schedule them. The $35 fee applies per load.
Items accepted in Bulky Load
- Furniture: couches, loveseats, recliners, chairs, desks, tables, bookshelves
- Mattresses and box springs
- Bed frames (metal or wood)
- Area rugs (rolled and tied)
- Push lawnmowers (fuel emptied)
- Grills (propane tank removed)
- Bicycles (tires removed)
Items never collected in Bulky Load
- Cardboard and paper recycling
- Batteries (any type)
- Glass
- Tires
- Car parts
- Construction debris (lumber, drywall, concrete, roofing)
- Household hazardous waste (paints, chemicals, pesticides)
- Electronics (use the free Tuesday e-waste collection instead)
Bulky Load vs. Special Load — Which Do You Need?
Raleigh offers two paid curbside collection services for large items.
| Service | Cost | What It Covers | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bulky Load | $35 | Furniture, mattresses, rugs, grills, lawnmowers, bikes | 4 cu yd per load |
| Special Load | $70 | Appliances (stoves, washers, dryers, water heaters), exercise equipment, excess yard waste | 4 cu yd per load |
If you have a mix of furniture AND appliances, you may need both types of collection. Call 919-996-3245 and describe what you are disposing of — the operator can tell you which service covers which items.
How to Schedule, Fees, and Cancellation
Scheduling
- Call 919-996-3245 (Solid Waste Services Customer Care)
- Tell the operator you need a Bulky Load pickup
- Describe the items you are disposing of
- They will give you a scheduled collection date
- Place items at the curb the evening before or morning of that date
Scheduling lead time is not specified on official pages. Ask when you call how far in advance you need to book.
Fees
- $35 per load — charged on your next City of Raleigh utility bill
- No additional fees for standard items within the load
- The $35 rate is effective from April 1, 2026
Fines for early or late placement
Placing items at the curb before your scheduled pickup date is a violation:
- $150 administrative fee for early or late placement of items
- $250–$500 per violation under Raleigh City Code Part 7
This is not a warning — the city actively enforces this. Do not place items at the curb until the evening before your scheduled date.
Cancellation
Cancel before noon on the business day before your scheduled collection for a refund. Late cancellations may still be charged.
Curb Placement Rules
Where and how you place items matters. Improper placement can result in items not being collected or fines.
Correct placement
- Items on flat ground — not in the street
- 5 feet clear of mailboxes, light poles, parked cars, low-hanging tree limbs
- On the main street in front of your residence — not in alleyways
- Items must be visible and accessible to the collection crew
- Do not place items inside containers or bins you want to keep
Townhome residents
If you live in a townhome without a front-of-home driveway, place items at the end of your parking space farthest from the curb.
What to avoid
- Do not block sidewalks or driveways
- Do not place items on top of or against utility boxes
- Do not place items in plastic bags — loose items should be bundled or contained
- Do not set items out more than one day before your scheduled pickup
Who Is Eligible?
Bulky Load collection is available to Raleigh residents who receive curbside garbage collection from the City of Raleigh. This typically means single-family homes with city-provided garbage carts, and duplexes and triplexes with individual city service.
Not eligible:
- Businesses and commercial entities
- Properties outside Raleigh city limits
- Residents whose property uses private waste haulers (some subdivisions and HOAs)
Apartment and multi-unit residents
If your apartment complex uses shared dumpsters (no individual city garbage cart at your door), you may not be eligible for Bulky Load pickup. The city's eligibility language says "residents who receive curbside garbage collection" — shared dumpster service is not individual curbside collection.
What to do if you are unsure:
- Call 919-996-3245 and say: "I live in an apartment with shared dumpsters. Am I eligible for Bulky Load pickup?"
- If the answer is no, ask about self-haul options to Wake County facilities
- Check with your property manager whether the complex's waste hauler offers bulky item pickup
Apartments, Renters, and HOA Communities
Your options if Bulky Load is not available to you:
Self-haul to Wake County facilities
Wake County operates convenience centers and solid waste facilities that accept bulky items from residents. This requires a vehicle and a trip.
Raleigh Reuse App
The Raleigh Reuse App (available on Apple App Store and Google Play) is the city's official tool for finding donation programs that accept used furniture, disposal guidance for specific items, and reuse and recycling options.
If your furniture is in good condition, consider donation before disposal.
Check with your property manager
Some apartment complexes and HOAs contract with waste haulers who provide bulky item pickup as part of their service. Ask your property manager whether your waste service includes bulky furniture pickup, whether there is an additional fee, and how to schedule it.
Rental truck or friend with a vehicle
If you are a renter without a truck, having a friend help you haul to a Wake County convenience center may be the most reliable option.
Donation and Reuse Options
Before paying for disposal, consider whether your furniture can be reused. The Raleigh Reuse App is the city's recommended tool for finding donation programs and reuse guidance.
Furniture that is in good condition — no major stains, tears, or damage — may be accepted by local donation programs. Items that are broken, heavily worn, or infested should go directly to disposal.
Business and Bulk Quantity Rules
Bulky Load is not available to businesses or commercial entities. If you run a business with furniture to dispose of:
- You must use a licensed private waste hauler
- Search for "Raleigh commercial waste disposal" or "Raleigh furniture disposal service"
- Contact Solid Waste Services (919-996-3245) for guidance on commercial disposal options
Property managers disposing of furniture from multiple units should clarify with 919-996-3245 whether their situation qualifies as residential or commercial.
Mistakes to Avoid
1. Placing furniture at the curb before scheduling
This is the most common and most expensive mistake. Items at the curb without a scheduled pickup date are subject to fines of $150 to $500. Always call 919-996-3245 first.
2. Confusing Bulky Load with Special Load
Bulky Load ($35) covers furniture. Special Load ($70) covers appliances and exercise equipment. Using the wrong service means your items may not be collected.
3. Assuming apartments are automatically eligible
If your apartment uses shared dumpsters, you likely do not receive individual city curbside service. Confirm eligibility before assuming Bulky Load is available.
4. Placing items in alleyways
Items must be on the main street in front of your residence. Alley placement is not collected and may result in fines.
5. Leaving prohibited items in the load
Construction debris, hazardous waste, tires, and car parts are never collected in Bulky Load. Including them may result in the entire load being rejected.
6. Not canceling if plans change
If your pickup is rescheduled or no longer needed, cancel before noon the business day before. Otherwise, the $35 fee still applies.
7. Disposing of reusable furniture without checking donation first
The Raleigh Reuse App can help you find donation options. If your furniture is still usable, you can save $35 and keep it out of the landfill.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to get a Bulky Load pickup scheduled? The official page does not specify scheduling lead time. Ask when you call 919-996-3245.
Can I schedule multiple Bulky Load pickups? Yes. There is no limit on the number of pickups you can schedule. Each 4 cu yd load costs $35.
What if my furniture is too large to fit in a 4 cu yd load? A 4 cu yd load accommodates most standard furniture items. For unusually large pieces, ask the operator whether they fit in one load.
Can I put furniture out the night before my scheduled pickup? Yes — the evening before your scheduled date is standard practice. The restriction is on placing items out BEFORE scheduling them.
Is there a weight limit? The service is based on volume (4 cu yd per load), not weight. Individual items that require more than two people to move may need a Special Load instead.
What happens if my items are not collected on the scheduled day? Call 919-996-3245 to report a missed collection. The city can reschedule or investigate.
Official Verification Checklist
Use this when you call 919-996-3245 to schedule. Confirm each item:
- Confirm your address receives city curbside garbage collection
- Confirm Bulky Load accepts your specific items
- Confirm the $35 fee and billing method
- Confirm scheduling lead time
- Ask about item preparation — disassembly required?
- Confirm placement rules for your street
- Ask about cancellation policy
- Confirm whether you need Special Load instead
Sources
- Raleigh Bulky, Special & E-Waste Collection — Official city page with service details, fees, accepted items, and rules
- Wake County Facilities — Official county page for self-haul alternatives
- Raleigh Landfill and Reuse — Official city hub for disposal and reuse resources
- Solid Waste Services Customer Care — 919-996-3245 — Primary scheduling and information contact
- Solid Waste Services — 630 Beacon Lake Drive, Raleigh — sws@raleighnc.gov
This guide is based on official sources available as of July 2026. Fees, policies, and eligibility change. Always call 919-996-3245 to verify current information before scheduling a furniture pickup.