Cleveland County updates its policy on trucks at convenience sites. Here’s what to know

After receiving feedback from residents disgruntled about Cleveland County’s new convenience site policy that was implemented March 1, Cleveland County Solid Waste has made some amendments to that policy.

Previously, all lettered vehicles were considered commercial vehicles and prohibited from using the county’s convenience sites. The policy change grants exemptions for lettered vehicles and flatbed trucks under certain conditions and allows qualifying residents to use these vehicles for solid waste disposal, under the following criteria:

• The vehicle is not used for commercial, industrial or institutional solid waste disposal.
• The vehicle is not used in the construction industry.
• The vehicle owner has submitted a completed Convenience Site Exemption Application and received approval from the solid waste director.

To obtain an exemption, vehicle owners must submit a completed application to the Cleveland County Solid Waste Department.

The application must include the following information:

• Owner’s name, address, phone number, and email address
• Vehicle description (make, model, year, color)
• Vehicle license plate number
• Driver’s license number
• Reason for exemption
• Agreement that the vehicle will not be used for commercial, industrial or institutional solid waste disposal, and that all loads will be secured to prevent spillage.

Applicants are strongly encouraged to bring the vehicle they are applying for and the vehicle’s registration.

The application process is free of charge for residents at this time.

Approval and Verification Process

The exemption approval process may take several weeks, as applications are not instantly approved or issued. The solid waste director or a designated representative will review each application and may conduct additional verification, which may include:

• Inspecting the vehicle to confirm its use and condition
• Verifying that the vehicle owner has an approved method for disposing of commercial waste, such as a dumpster
• Conducting a site visit to the owner’s residence or business to confirm the nature of their operations

The Solid Waste Director will issue written confirmation for granted exemptions, which may be for a specific period of time or subject to revocation for cause.

For more information, contact the Cleveland County Solid Waste Department at 704-477-8200 or visit clevelandcounty.com under Departments: Solid Waste & Landfill.