Reminder: Valet Trash Effective date of July 1, 2022

Today, the Building Code Council (BCC) voted unanimously to maintain the effective date of July 1, 2022 for the updated valet trash receptacles requirement.

Following July 1, valet trash service providers will be required to ensure trash receptacles meet the fire retardant specifications outlined in the amended 2018 NC Fire Code, Section 304.4. This section was adopted in 2019 with an effective date set for January 2021. In response to COVID-19 and the unprecedented supply chain challenges, the BCC extended the deadline incrementally. Todays decision not to further extend the effective date will trigger the standing effective date of July 1, 2022. Compliance will be monitored/enforced by NC Fire Marshals across the state. Non compliance may result in fines to the residential property. However, AANC and the BCC encourage Fire Marshalls to operate in leniency while North Carolina valet trash vendors work to comply with the 2018 North Carolina Fire Code. AANC will be engaging local fire Marshals to gauge what enforcement practices will look like following July 1.  We will provide an update to all members as that information becomes available.
 
What does this mean for my property?
If your property currently provides valet trash services, communicate with your provider.  Ask if they have an implementation plan to comply with the upcoming effective date and discuss all present options.
 
What can property managers do?  
Over the next four months onsite managers can remind tenants the importance of complying with the valet trash procedures (i.e. how long trash receptacles can sit outside, what time and days does the service operate, and what (if any) are the enforceable penalties violators will be subject to). 
 
After speaking with a few Fire Marshals in attendance at today’s BCC meeting, I anticipate many jurisdictions will allow for an enforcement grace period as valet trash service providers work to meet the deadline, but we know that will vary across the state. We will work locally to provide relevant information surrounding enforcement as it becomes available. If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to ask.