# Division 1. Refuse Collection and Disposal

Codified through Bill No. CB-018-2026, adopted May 12, 2026, effective July 24, 2026. Source: Municode, Supplement 2026 Update 2. Editorial notes and legislative history omitted.

## Division 1. Refuse Collection and Disposal

### Subdivision 1. Refuse Collection and Disposal

#### Sec. 21-101. Definitions

Prince George's County, Md., Code § 21-101 (2026)

(a) As used in this Division and in Division 3 of this Subtitle:

  (1) Approved recycling facility shall mean a County recycling facility or a private recycling facility so designated by the County. An approved recycling facility may also be a materials recovery facility as defined in Section 21-143(a)(22).

  (2) Approved solid waste acceptance facility shall mean a County solid waste acceptance facility or a private solid waste acceptance facility so designated by the County.

  (3) Ashes shall mean the noncombustible residue from the burning of wood, coal, and other combustible materials in homes, stores, institutions, and industrial establishments for the purpose of heating, cooking, and disposing of waste combustible material, and, unless otherwise specified, does not include tin cans, scrap metal, and glass.

  (4) Commercial refuse shall mean the refuse from wholesale and retail stores, restaurants, hotels, motels, gas stations, florists, beauty shops, barbershops, doctors' offices, variety stores, hardware stores, and other enterprises of this nature.

  (5) County recycling and disposal system shall mean the County's system for the recycling, management, and disposal of solid waste and recyclable material at any County solid waste disposal acceptance facility or County recycling facility or pursuant to any solid waste or recycling contract. The County recycling and disposal system includes, but is not limited to:

    (A) County solid waste acceptance facilities and County recycling facilities;

    (B) Solid waste or recycling contracts;

    (C) All interests in or associated with real and personal property acquired, constructed, or operated by the County or by other parties pursuant to solid waste or recycling contracts; and

    (D) All plants, systems, facilities, equipment, properties, rights, easements, or other interests in land necessary or desirable for the operation of the County recycling and disposal system, including, but not limited to, facilities for the recovery of useful products or materials from solid waste, the processing of solid waste and recyclable material, and the sale of materials or products derived from solid waste and recyclable material.

  (6) County recycling facility shall mean a recycling facility as designated by the Department of the Environment in accordance with Section 21-112.

  (7) County solid waste acceptance facility shall mean a solid waste acceptance facility as designated by the Department of the Environment in accordance with Section 21-112.

  (8) Garbage shall mean the entrails or waste products of any animal, fish, or fowl; sludge; refuse animal or vegetable matter from a kitchen, market, store, or abattoir; or any admixture of these materials with other refuse or feeding material.

  (9) Hazardous and special waste shall mean hazardous solid and liquid wastes such as highly flammable materials; explosives; pathological wastes; poisons; infectious wastes from doctors' offices such as syringes, patients' specimens, discarded dressings, etc.; and radioactive materials.

  (10) Incineration shall mean the destruction by combustion, in which heat, not less than twelve hundred (1,200) degrees Fahrenheit, is applied to all classes of waste material, within a properly designed plant approved by the Department of the Environment.

  (11) Industrial refuse shall mean solid waste material from factories, processing plants, and other manufacturing enterprises, including putrescible garbage from food processing plants and slaughterhouses, condemned foods, building rubbish, cinders from power plants, and manufacturing refuse.

  (12) Offal shall mean the waste animal matter from butcher and slaughter or packing houses.

  (13) Open dump shall mean any land publicly or privately owned, other than a sanitary landfill, on which there is deposit and accumulation, either temporary or permanent, of any kind of organic or inorganic refuse.

  (14) Private solid waste acceptance facility shall mean a solid waste acceptance facility other than a County solid waste acceptance facility which has been authorized by the Department of the Environment in accordance with Section 21-112(b) to accept certain types of solid waste.

  (15) Recyclable material shall have the meaning set forth in Subsection 21-143(a)(30).

  (16) Recycling facility shall mean any facility that accepts recyclable materials for any recycling process, compacting, or transfer to another recycling facility, including any materials recovery facility as defined in Section 21-143(a)(22).

  (17) Refuse shall mean ashes, commercial and industrial refuse, garbage, rubbish, offal wastes of any type, and trash.

  (18) Refuse collection shall mean the removal and conveyance of refuse from temporary storage points to disposal sites by municipalities, contractors, and others.

  (19) Refuse disposal shall mean the method of final disposition of refuse.

  (20) Refuse storage shall mean the temporary storage of refuse by households and commercial establishments, all of which is produced on the premises where the refuse is stored.

  (21) Revenue bonds shall mean any bonds, notes, or other obligations of the County issued pursuant to Section 21-137.05.

  (22) Rubbish shall mean all solid waste other than garbage, offal, and ashes from homes, hotels, stores, institutions, markets, and other establishments; further classified as combustible (mostly paper, wood, and cloth) and noncombustible (metals, glass, and crockery).

  (23) Sanitary landfill shall mean a planned and systematic method of refuse disposal whereby the waste material is placed in the earth in layers, then compacted and covered with earth or other approved cover material at the end of each day's operation.

  (24) Sludge is defined as any and all residue, product, or by-product, whether solid, liquid, or otherwise and whether treated or untreated of a waste water treatment facility or sewage treatment facility.

  (25) Solid waste acceptance facility shall mean any sanitary landfill, central processing facility, transfer station, medical/pathological waste incinerator or any other type of facility that accepts solid waste for disposal, treatment, processing, composting, compacting, or the transfer to another solid waste acceptance facility.

  (26) Solid waste disposal and recycling charges shall mean the charges established for use of the County recycling and disposal system for the acceptance of solid waste and recyclable material.

  (27) Solid waste or recycling contract shall mean any contract or agreement executed by the County pursuant to Section 21-137.04 which is necessary or desirable for the provision of the County recycling and disposal system. Solid waste or recycling contracts include, but are not limited to, contracts and agreements that are necessary or desirable for the acquisition, construction, operation, or maintenance of any portion of the County recycling and disposal system or the furnishing of services by or to any portion of the County recycling and disposal system. Solid waste or recycling contracts may provide for, among other things:

    (A) A County solid waste acceptance facility or a County recycling facility;

    (B) Disposal or processing services for solid waste or recyclable material;

    (C) Acquisition of real property, easements, or other real property interests or uses in furtherance of the County recycling and disposal system;

    (D) Transportation of solid waste or recyclable material;

    (E) Sale or marketing of products generated by or realized from solid waste or recyclable material;

    (F) Acquisition, construction, maintenance, repair, or operation of County solid waste acceptance facilities or County recycling facilities and related improvements and equipment, including, but not limited to, facilities for the processing of solid waste or recyclable material and other rights, interests, or services which are necessary or desirable for the operation of the County recycling and disposal system.

  (28) Solid waste (refuse) shall mean all waste materials, combustible or noncombustible, from all public and private establishments and residences, excluding those materials which are defined or designated as recyclable materials, and including yard wastes, trash, rubbish, offal, industrial refuse, and commercial refuse, but not the body excrements or rubble.

  (29) Trash shall mean rubbish and ashes.

#### Sec. 21-102. Purpose

Prince George's County, Md., Code § 21-102 (2026)

It is the intent and purpose of this Division and Division 3 and the regulations passed pursuant to these Divisions to protect the public health and safety of the citizens of the County by setting down minimum standards for the storage, collection, transportation and disposal of solid wastes and recyclable material that originate in the County, or which originate outside of the County, but are stored and transported or disposed of within this County, and to provide for a system for the recycling, handling and disposal of such solid wastes and recyclable material.

#### Sec. 21-103. Collection and disposal license; special license

Prince George's County, Md., Code § 21-103 (2026)

(a) Any person, prior to initiating any recycling facility or solid waste acceptance facility or other system for the collection, processing, or disposal of refuse or recyclable materials, or both, shall obtain a written license from the Department of the Environment. No such license shall be issued unless the issuance of such license is in conformity with the Zoning Ordinance of the County.

(b) A special, limited license shall be issued for a sanitary landfill in which a single category or related categories of industrial refuse, only, shall be buried. This license will limit the burial of refuse in a sanitary landfill to such single category or related categories of industrial refuse, only, and will exclude the burial of commercial refuse, garbage, offal, rubbish, trash, or any other sort of refuse other than the specified category of industrial refuse, such as fly and bottom ash.

(c) No person, except the employees of the County engaged in public work or persons under contract with the County for public work, shall engage in collection, transportation or disposal of refuse without a written license from the Department of the Environment.

#### Sec. 21-103.01. Deposit of solid waste

Prince George's County, Md., Code § 21-103.01 (2026)

(a) The Director of the Department of the Environment may order that all persons dispose of solid waste solely at any of the approved solid waste acceptance facilities. Any such order may specify the type, quantity, and location of solid waste to be disposed of at solid waste acceptance facilities and such other limitations or specifications as the Director may determine. It shall be unlawful for any person to dispose of, dump, deposit, or leave any solid waste or recyclable material within the County, on public or private property, in violation of any order of the Director of the Department of the Environment.

(b) This Section shall not apply to the following:

  (1) The temporary storage of solid waste or recyclable material at the premises where the solid waste or recyclable material is produced; or

  (2) Private compost piles for the disposal of leaves and yard wastes originating on the property; or

  (3) Scrap metal (excluding food and beverage containers), and construction/demolition debris.

#### Sec. 21-104. Disposal license; procedure

Prince George's County, Md., Code § 21-104 (2026)

(a) The applicant for a license for a new or existing recycling facility or solid waste acceptance facility or disposal system or for an extension or alteration of such existing facilities or disposal system shall submit complete plats drawn to scale showing the location of the area and specifications of the proposed method of operation to the Department of the Environment.

(b) The applicant, in the case of a sanitary landfill operation, shall also submit a completion maintenance bond, cash or other security to warrant that the proposed fill will be maintained for a period of at least twelve (12) months following completion. The amount of this bond required shall be sufficient to cover cost of repair and maintenance and completion of a landfill during the licensed period.

(c) Applications shall be reviewed by representatives of the Department of the Environment and the Health Department. Representatives from these Departments shall make inspections of the equipment, disposal site and other facilities and, provided the maintenance bond or other security is in order and if the Department of the Environment determines the engineering of the proposed system to be satisfactory and the Health Department finds the proposed system to be safe, sanitary and satisfactory, a refuse disposal license shall be issued by the Department of the Environment.

(d) No license for a new recycling facility or solid waste acceptance facility or an extension of such existing facilities shall be issued by the Department of the Environment if the issuance of the license will, in the opinion of the Director of the Department of the Environment, violate any restriction on the issuance of licenses for solid waste acceptance facilities or recycling facilities contained in any trust agreement or solid waste or recycling contract entered into by the County pursuant to Section 21-137.04 or 21-137.06.

#### Sec. 21-105. Collection license; procedure; general provisions applicable to licensees

Prince George's County, Md., Code § 21-105 (2026)

(a) No solid waste or recyclable material shall be collected or transported within the County except by a collector or hauler licensed by the Department of the Environment.

(b) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Subtitle to the contrary, an individual may transport his or her own household solid waste or recyclable material to an approved recycling facility or an approved solid waste acceptance facility in accordance with Section 21-109(f).

(c) The applicant for a collection license shall submit to the Department of the Environment information on the number, type, make, age, and capacity in cubic yards and tonnage of vehicles proposed to be employed in collection service.

(d) There shall be an inspection of solid waste collection equipment by the Health Officer. A collector's license shall not be issued unless the applicant successfully demonstrates to the Health Officer during an inspection that all collection equipment to be used by the applicant to perform solid waste collection and transportation services is safe and otherwise capable of satisfying the requirements for the collection and transportation of solid waste in the County.

(e) Each collection license shall include the following conditions:

  (1) The licensee is required to comply with all applicable laws and regulations, including, but not limited to, laws and regulations regarding the disposal of solid waste and recyclable materials; and

  (2) Failure to comply with all applicable laws and regulations is cause for revocation or suspension of all collection licenses held by the licensee or any other licensee that is owned or controlled by:

    (A) The violating licensee; or

    (B) Substantially the same persons or entities that own or control the violating licensee.

(f) Any licensee who delivers solid waste or recyclable material to any facility or location other than an approved recycling facility or an approved solid waste acceptance facility is subject to revocation or suspension of its collection license as provided in Sections 21-110 and 21-111 and is also subject to the penalty for violations of this Subtitle as provided in Section 21-125.

(g) No holder of a collection license may assign by contract or otherwise the obligations and responsibilities imposed by this Subtitle. If the licensee or any party acting on behalf of the licensee fails or refuses to collect, transport and dispose of such solid waste or recyclable material as required by this Subtitle, then Section 21-110 shall apply.

#### Sec. 21-106. License term

Prince George's County, Md., Code § 21-106 (2026)

Licenses issued under Section 21-104 shall be valid for one (1) year. They shall be renewed one (1) year from the date of issuance.

#### Sec. 21-107. License fees

Prince George's County, Md., Code § 21-107 (2026)

Reasonable license fees shall be established by the Council from time to time. Such fees shall be promulgated in an appropriate order.

#### Sec. 21-108. Transportation of garbage and sludge

Prince George's County, Md., Code § 21-108 (2026)

(a) No sludge shall be transported in and through Prince George's County without the consent of the County Council and the County Executive of Prince George's County, Maryland, following the receipt of comments and recommendations from the Prince George's County Health Officer.

(b) It shall be unlawful for trucks or any other vehicles to transport sludge from without the State of Maryland and/or Prince George's County to within Prince George's County unless authority has first been granted for such transport by the County Council and the County Executive of Prince George's County. The County Council and the County Executive shall have authority to set reasonable standards and conditions regulating the movement of sludge including the manner of its disposal, and to terminate and/or order corrections for any operations found to be in violation thereof.

(c) The consent of the County Executive and County Council shall not be required under this Subsection for the transportation of sludge to any site meeting the following conditions:

  (1) The Department of Health and Mental Hygiene has issued a permit for the subsoil injection of sludge on the site for fertilizer purposes;

  (2) The transportation and site operation are performed under contract to, and are monitored by, the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission. Prior to permitting any site to be used, the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission shall examine the proposed haul route to the site and, where required by road or other conditions, shall restrict the total number or frequency of arrival of trucks delivering sludge to the site.

#### Sec. 21-109. Collection vehicles; registration; license fee

Prince George's County, Md., Code § 21-109 (2026)

(a) All solid waste shall be transported over any public highway or street of the County only in vehicles equipped with covered watertight, leak-proof bodies, or in metal containers with tight-fitting covers. The Health Officer shall have the power and authority to establish standards for and inspect the vehicles that are used for the purpose of hauling solid waste. All collection vehicles shall be kept clean so as to minimize odor and prevent insect breeding and rodent feeding.

(b) For each vehicle used in the collection or transportation of solid waste or recyclable material by a collection licensee, there shall be issued a registration card by the Department of the Environment which shall contain the name of the vehicle owner, the description and serial number of the vehicle and a refuse collection vehicle license number.

(c) No solid waste collection vehicle shall be registered until inspected by the Health Officer and found to be in compliance with the requirements of this Subtitle.

(d) Any vehicle found to be in an unsafe physical, mechanical, or sanitary condition is subject to the suspension or revocation of its registration in accordance with Sections 21-110 and 21-111. The Health Officer shall have the power and authority to establish additional standards for the inspection of vehicles used for the collection or transportation of solid waste, and the failure of a vehicle to satisfy such standards may result in the revocation or suspension of its registration in accordance with Sections 21-110 and 21-111.

(e) The owner of each collection or transportation vehicle registered under this Section shall pay an annual registration and inspection fee established by regulation of the Department of the Environment from time to time for each vehicle registered.

(f) No person may collect or transport solid waste or recyclable material in any vehicle that has not been registered in accordance with this Section, provided that an individual may transport his or her own household solid waste or recyclable material to an approved recycling facility or an approved solid waste acceptance facility in a vehicle equipped with a covered, water-tight, leak-proof body or in leak-proof plastic bags.

(g) Any person subject to an order issued pursuant to Section 21-103.01 or 21-146 who transports solid waste or recyclable material to any facility for the acceptance or disposal of such material in violation of any order issued pursuant to Section 21-103.01 or 21-146 is subject to suspension or revocation of the registration of all vehicles owned or operated by such person in accordance with the revocation and suspension procedures set forth in Sections 21-110 and 21-111.

(h) Vehicle registrations issued under this Section shall be valid for one (1) year and issued on a schedule established by the Director of the Department of the Environment.

#### Sec. 21-110. Inspections; license and registration revocation, suspension, or refusal to renew; report

Prince George's County, Md., Code § 21-110 (2026)

(a) The Health Officer or the Health Officer's agents, or a representative of the Department of the Environment, shall make such inspections of containers, vehicles, and other facilities used in the collection, storage, and disposal of solid waste as they deem fit. The Director of the Department of the Environment or his designee may inspect containers, vehicles, and other facilities used in the collection, storage, processing, and transporting of recyclable materials. If, in the opinion of the inspector, an applicant or any other person has violated any of the terms of the license or vehicle registration, this Division, or the regulations adopted pursuant to this Division, then the inspector shall inform the violator in writing of the nuisance, hazard, or violation that exists, and allow reasonable time to correct the violations.

(b) If the violator fails to make the necessary corrections, then the Department of the Environment shall have authority to revoke or suspend any license or registration issued pursuant to this Division in accordance with Section 21-111. In addition, the Health Officer or agent or a representative of the Department of the Environment shall report any criminal violations of this Division to the State's Attorney's Office and any other violations to the County Attorney's Office for appropriate action.

(c) The Director of the Department of the Environment may refuse to renew or may suspend or revoke any license or registration issued under this Subtitle in accordance with Section 21-111, or may take such other remedial action as he may deem necessary upon a finding that the holder of the license or registration has violated any provision of this Subtitle, including any order requiring the delivery of solid waste or recyclable material generated or to be disposed of in the County to an approved recycling facility or an approved solid waste disposal facility.

#### Sec. 21-111. Procedure for revocation, suspension, or nonrenewal of license

Prince George's County, Md., Code § 21-111 (2026)

(a) In addition to the other penalties provided for under this Subtitle, the license or registration of any person who violates the provisions of this Subtitle or the regulations promulgated hereunder may be suspended or revoked, or the renewal of such license or registration may be refused, in accordance with the following provisions:

  (1) For an initial violation, the Director of the Department of the Environment may issue a warning notice advising the person of the violation.

  (2) If a warning notice was issued for a prior violation, for a second violation the Director of the Department of the Environment may suspend a license or registration for thirty (30) days.

  (3) If a warning notice was issued and a license or registration was suspended for prior violations, the Director of the Department of the Environment may revoke a license or registration or refuse to renew a license or registration.

(b) For any violation which the Director of the Department of the Environment finds is a risk or threat of danger to the public health, safety, or welfare, the Director may either refuse to renew or may suspend or revoke a license or registration without following the procedures set forth in Subsection (a).

(c) A written notice of warning or a written notice of revocation, suspension, or refusal to renew or other action affecting a license or registration must be mailed by certified mail or delivered in person to the address shown on the application, license, or registration. The notice must inform the applicant or the holder of the license or registration of a right to a hearing before the Director of the Department of the Environment or his designee. The holder of the license or registration must request a hearing under this Section within thirty (30) calendar days after the notice is issued. A request for a hearing does not stay the operation of the revocation, suspension, or other action taken by the Director of the Department of the Environment.

(d) If public health or safety is in immediate danger, prior notice is not required but must be given as promptly as practicable.

(e) After giving notice under Subsection (c), the Director of the Department of the Environment may revoke the registration of a vehicle owned or operated by the holder of a license found to be in violation of this Subtitle or the regulations promulgated hereunder until the holder of the license puts the vehicle in compliance with the provisions of this Subtitle or the regulations promulgated hereunder or otherwise corrects the violation. Except as provided in Section 21-105(e)(2), the revocation of the registration of a particular vehicle shall not otherwise affect the license issued under this Subtitle or the registration of complying vehicles owned or operated by the holder of the license.

(f) If a license or registration of a person has been revoked, the holder of the license or registration is not eligible to apply for a new license or registration for a period of twelve (12) months from the date of revocation; provided, however, that the registration of a particular registered vehicle shall be reinstated immediately upon the correction of all violations with respect to such vehicle.

#### Sec. 21-112. Approved recycling facilities and solid waste acceptance facilities

Prince George's County, Md., Code § 21-112 (2026)

(a) The Department of the Environment may designate any recycling facility or solid waste acceptance facility that is owned or operated by the County or by a contractor of the County pursuant to a solid waste or recycling contract as a County recycling facility or a County solid waste acceptance facility.

(b) The Department of the Environment may designate any recycling facility or solid waste acceptance facility that is not owned or operated by the County or by a contractor of the County pursuant to a solid waste or recycling contract as a private recycling facility or private solid waste acceptance facility. The designation of any private recycling facility or private solid waste acceptance facility must be consistent with any restrictions contained in any trust agreement or solid waste or recycling contract entered into by the County pursuant to Section 21-137.04 or 21-137.06 and the County's obligations under the County's comprehensive solid waste management plan adopted in accordance with Section 9-505 of the Environment Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland. Designation of a facility as a private recycling facility or private solid waste acceptance facility does not create a contractual or agency relationship between the owner, operator, or user of the facility and the County. The County by such designation assumes no liability or responsibility for the operations of the facility or injuries or damages arising from, or as a result of, the design, construction, operation, or use of the facility or designation of the facility as a private recycling facility or a private solid waste acceptance facility.

#### Sec. 21-113. Storage of refuse

Prince George's County, Md., Code § 21-113 (2026)

(a) All persons shall keep their premises free from accumulations of improperly stored refuse.

(b) All garbage shall be stored in approved commercially available type containers with tight fitting lids.

(c) The occupant of any premises shall be responsible for the sanitary condition of the premises occupied by him. No person shall place, deposit, or allow refuse to be placed or deposited on his premises, except as designated by the terms of this Division and in the regulations adopted pursuant to this Division. If the property is occupied by other than the owner, the tenant shall be responsible for the property assigned to him. The owner shall be responsible for the portions of the property not leased to the tenant and under his control.

(d) The following requirements apply to curbside collection of trash and recyclable materials:

  (1) Trash and recycling containers may be put at the curb for collection after 6:00 p.m. the day prior to the scheduled collection and must be removed from the curb the day of the scheduled collection.

  (2) Trash must be placed in a metal or tough plastic container with handles and a tight-fitting lid, with a maximum weight of 60 lbs.

  (3) A maximum of one opaque plastic bag not within a trash container that can be picked up and carried without tearing and securely tied at the top to prevent spillage may be used per residence per collection.

(e) If a commercial property or multifamily rental facility receives two (2) violations within a twelve (12) month period, upon a third violation, the County shall fine an owner or other responsible party of a commercial property or multifamily rental facility, a minimum of One-Thousand Dollars ($1,000) for the third violation per commercial property or multifamily rental facility and an additional One-Thousand Dollars ($1,000) for each violation thereafter, per commercial property or multifamily rental facility, up to a maximum of Five-Thousand Dollars ($5,000), per commercial property or multifamily rental facility. For fining a multifamily rental facility, one violation may consist of the citation of more than one refuse container on the premises at the same period. Upon violation of Section 21-113 of this Subdivision, an agency may require that a commercial property or multifamily rental facility have an individual container locking mechanism as designated by the agency.

#### Sec. 21-114. Refuse collection and transportation

Prince George's County, Md., Code § 21-114 (2026)

(a) All collection vehicles shall be sufficiently watertight to prevent the loss of any liquid from waste matter.

(b) All open type vehicles shall be covered between points of collection and place of disposal by heavy canvas or metal to preclude odors and refuse from escaping onto the streets and adjacent areas.

(c) Collection points shall be left clean and free of debris, trash and other refuse after refuse is collected.

(d) All collection vehicles shall be kept cleaned so as to minimize odor and prevent insect breeding and rodent feeding.

(e) Any person who contracts to collect and dispose of refuse and garbage with any other person in this County shall be bound by the terms of his agreement and shall collect and dispose of the refuse and garbage. In the event one (1) of the contracting parties fails or refuses to collect and dispose of such refuse and garbage without a justifiable reason or excuse, then Section 21-111 shall apply. The Health Officer may revoke the general collection license of the violator if, in his opinion, revocation would promote the purpose and intent of this Division.

(f) In special taxing areas and in special improvement districts and urban areas outside of incorporated municipalities, the County may collect refuse from single-residence dwellings; duplex residence dwellings and triplex residence dwellings. The County may contract with private individuals, associations and corporations in order to provide refuse collection service. The Department of the Environment shall be authorized to adopt regulations governing refuse collection services so long as the regulations comply with Section 21-120.

#### Sec. 21-115. Disposal of refuse; hog feeding regulations

Prince George's County, Md., Code § 21-115 (2026)

(a) All garbage-feeding hog farms shall meet the minimum requirements, including pasteurization, of the State Board of Agriculture.

(b) No garbage shall be fed to hogs except in concrete or other watertight containers. The feed containers shall be washed and cleaned at least once in every twenty-four (24) hours. No such feeding place shall be located closer than two thousand (2,000) feet of any residence, except the residence of the owner or tenant on such farm where feeding places are established, public highway or public building. Any residue in these containers for feeding purposes, and not devoured by the hogs, shall be disposed of by incineration, plowing under or burial within twenty-four (24) hours after any one (1) feeding.

#### Sec. 21-116. Reserved

Prince George's County, Md., Code § 21-116 (2026)

#### Sec. 21-117. Burial method of disposal

Prince George's County, Md., Code § 21-117 (2026)

(a) The operation of open dumps is prohibited.

(b) Any person disposing or contemplating the disposal of refuse by burying shall comply with the following requirements. Every sanitary landfill shall be located in an area at least 500 acres in size. Every sanitary landfill shall consist of a planned and systematic method of refuse disposal whereby the waste material is placed so that it is thoroughly compacted and covered at the end of each day's operation, with at least six (6) inches of compacted natural soil, earth, or other nonflammable, nonputrescible material acceptable to the Department of the Environment. A buffer of at least 500 feet between neighboring property lines and the outermost perimeter of landfill cells or a buffer of at least 750 feet between neighboring residences and the outermost perimeter of landfill cells, whichever is the greater, must be maintained. The buffer must contain appropriate screening, vegetation, berms, and fencing sufficient to substantially shield the landfill from view by surrounding residents. The Department of the Environment shall develop landfill site selection and screening criteria for the Council's adoption in the County's Comprehensive Ten Year Solid Waste Management Plan. These criteria may provide for variances from the strict application of the buffer and acreage requirements when site conditions warrant. When the fill is completed, a covering of at least twenty-four (24) inches of compacted natural soil, earth, or other nonflammable, nonputrescible material, acceptable to the Department of the Environment, shall be provided. In case of specialized sanitary landfills licensed for a specific industrial refuse disposal, the thickness and type of daily cover, frequency of application, the thickness of final covering of the completed fill, and the type of materials to satisfy both daily and final cover requirements, must be acceptable to the Department of the Environment. The completed sanitary landfill shall blend with the ground, shall not rise above the height of visual and noise buffers, shall not cause a dust nuisance, and there shall be no further use for disposal purposes after completion. Access shall be prohibited until further authorized construction begins.

(c) Disposal by burial on owner's property shall be conducted subject to the approval of the Health Officer.

(d) The acreage requirement and the buffer footage requirement set forth in this Section shall not be applicable to the designated sanitary landfill facilities contained in Chapter Four, Section II, A and B, of the FY 1992-2001 Comprehensive Solid Waste Management Plan as adopted by CR-44-1992.

#### Sec. 21-118. Restricted entry to sanitary landfills

Prince George's County, Md., Code § 21-118 (2026)

(a) It shall be unlawful for any person to drive a vehicle onto the premises of a sanitary landfill as defined in Section 21-101 of this Code for the purpose of dumping its load, unless the load is covered or secured as required by Sections 24-106, 24-106.01, or 24-106.02 of the Transportation Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland.

(b) For the purposes of this Section, the term sanitary landfill shall include every sanitary landfill either licensed under the provisions of this Subtitle or operated by a public department, municipality, commission, district, or other governmental agency.

#### Sec. 21-119. Hazardous and special wastes disposal

Prince George's County, Md., Code § 21-119 (2026)

The disposal of hazardous and special wastes shall be resolved by consultation with, and subject to, the approval of the Health Officer.

#### Sec. 21-119.01. Statement of policy and legislative findings

Prince George's County, Md., Code § 21-119.01 (2026)

(a) The County Council, after public hearings and due deliberation, makes the following legislative findings:

  (1) The regular, uninterrupted, and efficient removal of refuse, trash, and waste from residences within the County is necessary to prevent nuisances, to prevent the introduction of contagious diseases, and to prevent the incursion of vermin in the County.

  (2) The need to provide for efficient, uninterrupted refuse collection service exists throughout the County and is especially acute in the more densely populated urban and suburban areas of the County.

  (3) To ensure the continuity of efficient refuse collection services and thereby to protect and promote the public safety, health, comfort and welfare by preventing nuisances and offensive odors, preventing the creation of harborages for vermin, and preventing conditions conducive to the development or introduction of infectious diseases, it is necessary:

    (A) To provide for limitations on the number of residences which may be served by any one contractor;

    (B) To provide for the bidding, award, and extension of contracts for the provision of refuse collection services; and

    (C) To authorize the Purchasing Agent to extend or rebid refuse collection contracts in appropriate circumstances, where such action will best protect and promote the public health, safety, comfort and welfare by insuring the uninterrupted availability of efficient refuse collection services.

#### Sec. 21-120. Adoption of regulations; notice

Prince George's County, Md., Code § 21-120 (2026)

(a) The Department of the Environment shall have the authority to make any regulations, provided such regulations will carry out and promote the intent and purpose as stated in Section 21-102. Such regulations shall be fair and reasonable, and the consent of the Council shall be obtained before such regulations are promulgated.

(b) The Department of the Environment, before issuing any regulations, shall send a copy of the proposed regulations to all known interested governmental agents or participating parties who may have an interest in the proposed regulations. The Council shall publish notice of intent to issue regulations on a given subject matter in the authorized County newspapers for thirty (30) days prior to the issuance of the regulations. The Department of the Environment shall invite comments, ideas and suggestions, if any, but the Department shall have authority to make regulations so long as such regulations are made in compliance with Section 21-102 and this Section.

(c) The County purchasing agent shall have the authority to award refuse collection contracts with the County. The following limitations shall apply to such contracts:

  (1) All County refuse collection contracts exceeding sixty (60) days' duration must be awarded subsequent to competitive bidding;

  (2) For contracts of a duration of sixty (60) days or less, no single company, corporation, firm or individual may be awarded more than one such contract per service area per year; and

  (3) In the event that a company, corporation, firm or individual under contract is in default, the Purchasing Agent may negotiate replacement service without competitive bidding for a period not to exceed sixty (60) days.

  (4) Contracts awarded under this Section shall be for an initial term of up to seven (7) years. After the first year of the contract term and each year thereafter, the Purchasing Agent shall adjust the unit price, to become effective on each anniversary date of the contract, in accordance with the following requirement: The price established in the contract shall be adjusted annually in direct relationship to the change, if any, in the appropriate Consumer Price Index for the Washington Metropolitan Area using the latest January index figures for the preceding calendar year.

  (5) In the event that any law, regulation or administrative order or judicial order increases or decreases the charges for use of any solid waste acceptance facility or any other government based cost, the Purchasing Agent shall adjust the price when the Purchasing Agent determines, in his sole discretion, that such ordinance, regulation or order has a direct impact on the contractor's cost of performance of the contract. The Purchasing Agent shall make adjustments in the unit price of any contract awarded under this Section, without regard to the anniversary date of the contract.

(d) Notwithstanding the above, no contract shall be awarded which would result in any one company, corporation, firm, or individual having contracts for the collection, removal, and disposition of trash and garbage if the company, corporation, firm, or individual would thereafter be responsible for servicing more than twenty-five percent (25%) of all residences serviced through County refuse collection contracts. The definition of the words company, corporation, firm, or individual shall include all recognized subsidiaries of any company, corporation, firm, or individual awarded or currently holding a County refuse collection contract pursuant to this Subtitle.

(e) Refuse collection contracts awarded under the provisions of this Subsection shall be deemed personal to the company, corporation, firm, or individual and shall not be transferred or delegated without the prior written consent of the Purchasing Agent.

#### Sec. 21-121. Exemption of specified municipalities

Prince George's County, Md., Code § 21-121 (2026)

(a) Except with regard to waste stream control as provided in Sections 21-103.01 and 21-146, and sludge transport as provided in Section 21-108, incorporated municipalities existing in the County on September 24, 1967, are exempted from all provisions of this Division, including Section 21-109, provided such municipalities had an existing refuse collection or disposal system on the aforesaid date.

(b) The Director of the Department of the Environment shall grant exemptions from the requirements of any order issued under Sections 21-103.01 and 21-146, on a first-come, first-served basis, for recyclable materials, excluding yard wastes, that are collected, processed, or disposed of under any program operated by, or on behalf of, any incorporated municipality upon the request of such incorporated municipality, provided that the total amount of such recyclable material for which exemptions are granted under this Section in any year shall not exceed 15,000 tons.

#### Sec. 21-122. Disposal of refuse transported from outside the County

Prince George's County, Md., Code § 21-122 (2026)

(a) No person shall dispose of refuse transported from outside the County at any solid waste acceptance facility in the County which is owned or operated by the County.

(b) No person shall dispose of refuse transported from outside the County at any solid waste acceptance facility in the County which is owned or operated by the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission.

#### Sec. 21-123. Site development/Environmental Surcharge

Prince George's County, Md., Code § 21-123 (2026)

(a) There is hereby established a site development/environmental surcharge, payable to the County, for the purpose of funding acquisition, development, expansion, preservation, and maintenance of solid waste management sites and facilities in the County and costs associated with the environmental impact thereof and other public purposes related to the environmental improvement of the County.

(b) This surcharge shall be set in accordance with the provisions of Section 21-137.01 of this Code.

(c) The operator of each landfill shall collect the fees and transmit them to the County in accordance with such procedures as may be established by the Chief Administrative Officer.

(d) No funds collected pursuant to this Section shall be expended for any purpose except those listed below:

  (1) The reimbursement of the advance land acquisition fund for the purchase of land to provide for expansion or buffering of existing solid waste acceptance facilities or to provide sites for new solid waste acceptance facilities.

  (2) Studies to design programs to better control or eliminate disposal of special wastes as defined in the County Comprehensive Ten Year Solid Waste Management Plan and hazardous wastes within the County.

  (3) Public information programs aimed at informing County residents and waste haulers of the proper techniques for solid waste disposal and of items which may not be disposed at a landfill or other solid waste acceptance facility.

  (4) Provision for intensive monitoring of wastes arriving at waste acceptance facilities within the County.

  (5) Development and implementation of a program to monitor the air and water pollution effects of active and completed landfills and rubble fills within the County.

  (6) Construction of a new access road into the Brown Station Road Sanitary Landfill which does not require that waste haulers travel on Brown Station Road.

  (7) Planning of a new access route to the Sandy Hill Creative Disposal Project which will reduce the impact of truck traffic on the Old Bowie area.

  (8) Provide regular roadway cleanup on nearby access roads to solid waste acceptance facilities within the County.

  (9) Development and implementation of programs relating to environmental improvement in the County limited to litter removal, blight abatement, beautification, and code enforcement.

  (10) Planning new solid waste acceptance facilities.

  (11) Provide property tax credits to eligible persons.

  (12) Such other purposes as may be approved by Resolution of the County Council, upon request of the County Executive.

(e) The provisions of this Section shall not apply to rubble fills as defined in Section 21-126 or to landfills accepting only fly ash and/or bottom ash produced by a franchised utility serving Prince George's County.

#### Sec. 21-124. Conflict of provisions

Prince George's County, Md., Code § 21-124 (2026)

If any provision of part of a provision of this Division or the regulations adopted pursuant to this Division are in conflict with any other ordinance, including but not limited to water pollution, air pollution or the Fire Code of the County, then the provision of any such water pollution, air pollution or Fire Code existing on September 24, 1967, or enacted subsequently shall control.

#### Sec. 21-125. Penalty

Prince George's County, Md., Code § 21-125 (2026)

Any person found in violation of this Division 1 shall be liable to a civil fine not to exceed one-thousand dollars (1,000.00). Each day of violation shall constitute a separate violation. The County Attorney shall be authorized to prosecute a violation of this Division by instituting a civil proceeding in a court of competent jurisdiction. The court, upon a finding of a violation, may impose a civil fine, in addition to the granting of any other relief authorized by law.

### Subdivision 2. Solid Waste, Resource Management and Recycling Advisory Commission

#### Sec. 21-125.01. The Prince George's County Solid Waste, Resource Management and Recycling Advisory Commission; established

Prince George's County, Md., Code § 21-125.01 (2026)

The Prince George's County Solid Waste, Resource Management and Recycling Advisory Commission ("Commission") is established to provide community input, guidance and advice to the County Executive and County Council on matters relating to solid waste, resource management and recycling management within the County.

#### Sec. 21-125.02. Powers and duties of Commission

Prince George's County, Md., Code § 21-125.02 (2026)

(a) The Commission shall have the power and duty to:

  (1) Review and offer recommendations on the ten-year solid waste management plan for the County;

  (2) Investigate, prepare fiscal impact statements, and make recommendations on systematic programs and alternative methods, both public and private, for the storage, collection, transportation, processing, disposal and resource recovery of solid waste, including sludge;

  (3) Evaluate the impact of the solid waste management program on citizens, institutions, businesses and industries throughout the County;

  (4) Recommend methods to assure public involvement in solid waste planning and develop educational programs to inform the public on all aspects of solid waste management;

  (5) Recommend local and state legislation necessary to accomplish effective solid waste management;

  (6) Review and comment on the annual County budget for solid waste activities; and

  (7) Submit to the County Executive and County Council, and make available to the general public, an annual report of the activities of the Commission.

#### Sec. 21-125.03. Commission composition; term; officers

Prince George's County, Md., Code § 21-125.03 (2026)

(a) The Commission shall be composed of no less than nine (9) and no more than fifteen (15) members appointed by the County Executive and subject to the confirmation by the County Council. At least five (5) of the appointments, one of whom shall be designated as the vice chairman, shall be selected from a list of persons submitted by the County Council. One (1) ex-officio member may be appointed by the County Executive and one (1) ex-officio member may be appointed by the County Council. Members shall be selected so as to represent broad geographic areas of the County, the solid waste industry, business users, environmental, public health and civic community and the general public, at least one member shall be appointed from the communities surrounding the Brown Station Road landfill.

(b) The term of office for each member shall be three (3) years.

(c) The County Executive shall designate two (2) members to serve as chairman and vice chairman. The Commission members shall elect annually from their own membership such other officers as it deems necessary. Staff support shall be provided by the Department of the Environment.

#### Sec. 21-125.04. Meetings

Prince George's County, Md., Code § 21-125.04 (2026)

The Commission shall meet in public session at least quarterly during the calendar year.