Raleigh Yard Waste Center to go cashless Aug. 1 as tipping fees increase July 1
Raleigh NC – Yard Waste Center costs more starting July 1, 2026 ($55/ton, $27.50 minimum) and goes cashless Aug. 1; City lists payment options.
Raleigh NC residents planning yard-waste drop-offs should update their expectations: the City’s Yard Waste Center will charge higher tipping fees starting July 1, 2026, and it will become cashless starting Aug. 1, 2026.
The City also spells out what payment methods replace cash at the scale house, and why the change matters for smaller loads that can run into the site’s minimum fee.
What’s changing July 1, 2026: higher tipping fees (and a new floor)
Beginning July 1, 2026, the Yard Waste Center tipping fee is $55 per ton. The City also lists a $27.50 minimum tipping fee for customers using the site.
For residents bringing smaller loads, that minimum fee can matter even when the final weight isn’t high.
What’s changing Aug. 1, 2026: cash won’t be accepted
On Aug. 1, 2026, the Yard Waste Center will transition to a cashless payment system, and the City Manager’s Update says cash will no longer be accepted as a payment method at the Yard Waste Center effective that date.
In the same update, the City says the facility currently accepts (and cashless will leave in place) these payment options:
- Credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, and Discover)
- Debit cards
- Business or personal checks (must be pre-printed with the customer’s name and address, and a valid ID is required)
- Credit account payments for customers who frequently use the site, through the City of Raleigh Portal
The City also says it will offer help for customers affected by the transition, including information on prepaid debit cards for those without traditional banking services.
What you’ll do when you arrive
On the City’s Yard Waste Center page, the City notes that customers weigh in at the Scale House. The scale house operator asks for a license plate number and a form of payment. After weighing in, vehicles are directed to the designated drop-off area.
The City also emphasizes that staff are unable to assist with loading or unloading materials.
Yard Waste Center basics (quick reminder)
The City frames the Yard Waste Center as a place for residents to handle yard-waste drop-offs when curbside isn’t enough. The City’s yard-waste FAQ also points residents to the Yard Waste Center at 900 N. New Hope Road and notes there is a tipping fee for customers.
Bottom line: plan for higher yard-waste drop-off costs starting July 1, 2026 ($55/ton with a $27.50 minimum), and be ready to pay without cash starting Aug. 1, 2026 using one of the City-approved non-cash methods.
Sources
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