WASHINGTON (WMAL) — Starting Wednesday, new rules in Fairfax County will prevent donation drop boxes from becoming a dumping ground for old furniture and other junk.

Donation boxes will now be collected every 48 hours, and box operators can no longer plop one down on somebody’s private property without written permission.

Supervisor Jeff McKay says the county may come up against some enforcement issues.

“Because these are temporary-type structures, these things move around so quickly,” he said.

A operator will be given 30 days if they are found to be out of compliance, and then they have 30 days to appeal.

“I think that’s going to be too long in a lot of these cases,” McKay said.

The new ordinance requires that boxes:

• May not be larger than seven feet tall, six feet wide or six feet long.
• Are limited to two boxes per property in an area not to exceed a total of 120 square feet
• Must be made of weather-proof, noncombustible materials
• Must get regular collection with no items left outside the boxes
• Must list the following information on the outside of the box: name and telephone number of the owner/operator, the items for collection, and a statement prohibiting liquids and dumping.
• May only be placed on certain commercial properties, like shopping centers, that are 40,000 square feet or larger; in any commercial area of a P district when shown on an approved development plan; and in any residential district on lots with a non-residential principal use, like a church, or in conjunction with approval for another use by a special permit, special exception or proffered rezoning and only when shown on an approved development plan.

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