22-75 ORDINANCE NO. 22-75.
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
DELRAY BEACH, FLORIDA, REPEALING CHAPTER 14A OF THE
CODE OF ORDINANCES, "GARBAGE, TRASH AND WEEDS", AND
ENACTING A NEW CHAPTER 14A, "GARBAGE AND TRASH", OF
THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF DELRAY BEACH;
DEFINING THE TERMS AS USED HEREIN; ESTABLISHING AND
IMPOSING CHARGES AND FEES FOR THE GARBAGE AND TRASH
COLLECTION; DECLARING CERTAIN ACTS OR PRACTICES RELATIVE
TO THE ACCUMULATION, DEPOSIT, STORAGE, AND HANDLING OF
GARBAGE AND TRASH TO BE UNLAWFUL AND A VIOLATION OF
THIS ORDINANCE; PRESCRIBING TYPES OF CONTAINERS; PRE-
SCRIBING PENALTIES FOR THE VIOLATION OF THE PROVISIONS
OF THIS ORDINANCE; REPEALING ALL ORDINANCES OR PARTS
OF ORDINANCES IN CONFLICT HEREWITH; AND FOR OTHER
PURPOSES.
WHEREAS, the Public Works Department of the City of Delray Beach
has made recommendations concerning changes in the policy of collecting
garbage and trash in the City of Delray Beach; and,
WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Delray Beach, Florida,
concurs in said recommendations; and,
WHEREAS,. the City Administration is in agreement with the recommenda-
tions proposed,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
DELRAY BEACH, FLORIDA, AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. That Chapter 14A "Garbage, Trash and Weeds" of the Code
of Ordinances of the City of Delray Beach, as amended, is kereby repealed.
Section 2. That the following Chapter 14A "Garbage and Trash" shall
replace Chapter 14A "Garbage, Trash and Weeds" of the Code of Ordinances
of the City of Delray Beach repealed in Section 1 above.
Chapter 14A
GARBAGE AND TRASH
Sec. 14A-1. Definitions.
For the purpose of this chapter:
(a) Garbage. The word "garbage" is hereby defined to mean every
refuse accumulation of animal, fruit, or vegetable matter that
attends the preparation, use, cooking, and dealing in, or stor-
age of, meats, fish, fowl, fruits, or vegetables, and any other
matter of any nature whatsoever which is subject to decay and
the generation of noxious or offensive gases or odors, or which,
during or after decay, may serve as breeding or feeding material
for flies or other germ-carrying insects; and any bottles, cans,
or other containers which, due to their ability to retain water,
may serve as breeding places for mosquitoes or other water-
breeding insects. It also shall mean refuse accumulation of
paper, wooden or packaging material or other containers,
sweepings, and all accumulations of a nature which are usual to
housekeeping except materials of this type which, because of
their bulk, are too large to be properly placed in garbage cans.
(b) Trash. The term "trash" shall mean all accumulations of grass,
tree, or shrubbery cuttings and other refuse incident to the
care of lawns, shrubbery, vines and trees, and includes dis-
carded household items such as electrical appliances, furniture,
and other household items too large to be properly placed in
garbage cans.
(c) Garbage Cans. The term "garbage cans" shall be defined to mean
a galvanized iron can or plastic type garbage can of the type
commonly sold as a "garbage can", of a capacity not to exceed
thirty-two gallons, or of the type commonly sold as an "ash can"
of a capacity not to exceed thirty-two gallons, and, in either
case, such cans shall have two handles upon the sides of the
can, or a bail by which it may be lifted, and shall have a
tight-fitting top.
(d) Trash Container. The term "trash container" shall mean any
garbage can, plastic or metallic container, of a size not to
exceed five cubic feet in capacity, for the purpose of storing
trash, as hereinabove defined. Trash may also be containerized
in commercial type containers approved by the Director of Public
Works Department or in containers or bundles weighing not more
than fifty pounds or over four feet in length.
(e) Residential Dwelling Unit. The term "Residential Dwelling Unit"
shall be any family living unit, and, where two or more families
are living on the same premises, each shall be considered as a
separate residential dwelling unit. In apartment buildings,
condominiums, cooperatives, duplexes and the like, each living
unit shall be considered a separate residential dwelling unit.
Sec. 14A-2. Garbage or Trash Cans - Required.
(a) Garbage and trash containers, except commercial type provided
by the City, shall be provided by the owner, tenant, lessor or
occupant of the premises. Any container that does not conform
to the provisions of this ordinance or that may have ragged or
sharp edges or any other defect liable to hamper or injure the
person collecting the contents thereof or that, if not compati-
ble with or likely to damage the City's collection equipment,
shall be promptly replaced upon notice from the Director of the
Department of Public Works. All garbage and trash shall be
placed in the containers herein specified or otherwise prepared
in accordance herewith or it will not be picked up by the City.
(b) Each residential dwelling unit in the City is hereby required to
provide a garbage can or cans and trash container or containers
of sufficient number to hold four days accumulation of garbage
or trash, as the case may be.
(c) Containers partially or totally below the surface of the ground
are hereby prohibited except as to those containers in use on
the effective date of this ordinance.
kd) It shall be the responsibility of the users of garbage and trash
containers furnished by the City to clean and maintain such con-
tainers in a sanitary condition.
Sec. 14A-3. Same - Accessibility.
(a) No garbage can or trash container shall be kept or maintained
upon or adjacent to any street, sidewalk, parkway, front yard,
side yard, or other place within the view of persons using the
City's streets and sidewalks, except that:
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Ord. No. 22-75.
The owner or occupant of any premises may erect or construct
and maintain upon any portion of the rear of his own prem-
ises a permanent bin, pit, or other structure in which
garbage cans and trash containers may be kept; provided,
that such bin, pit, or other structure is maintained in a
clean, sanitary, and sightly condition.
(2) Garden type trash (not containerized) such as trees, shrub-
bery, cuttings and palm fronds may be placed upon adjacent
unimproved property not in the ownership or tenancy of the
person by whom the garbage or trash is accumulated provided
that such garden type trash is not more than six feet in
length except palm fronds which may be longer and not placed
upon such property more than one week prior to the scheduled
day of collection; provided further that garden trash may
only be placed upon such unimproved property with the con-
sent of the owner. If garden-type trash is placed upon
adjacent property in accordance herewith, this shall not
constitute a violation of'Chapter 5A of the Code of Ordi-
nances of the City of Delray Beach.
(3) Trash accumulations in areas where daily collection is pro-
vided shall be placed in the prescribed trash containers,
or may be placed in available cardboard boxes where such
boxes are a part of the trash to be collected. Loose
papers, packing materials and any other loose trash shall
not be placed in a bin or other re-usable receptacle which
cannot readily be carried, lifted and dumped onto a truck
by more than one man. In the event that waste cardboard
containers are used they shall be so protected from rain
that their condition at the time of collection is adequate
to hold the contained trash without danger of spillage due
to failure. The container shall be placed at t~e rear of
the establishment and be located near an area where the
trucks can be loaded.
(b) Placement of Garbage and Trash for Collection.
(1) Residential - Trash shall be placed at the edge of the
paved street or alley immediately adjacent to the property
from which the trash originated except as set forth in
Section 14A-3(2). Neither containerized trash nor inorgan-
ic household trash suck as discarded electrical appliances,
mattresses, and furniture shall be placed out for collec-
tion more than 24 hours prior to the scheduled day of
collection. Garden-type trash may be put out for collec-
tion not more than one week prior to the scheduled
collection day. Containerized trash will be picked up by
City garbage crews on the same day scheduled for garbage
pickup. Uncontainerized trash will be picked up in
accordance with the City trash schedule established by the
Director of the Public Works Department.
(2) Commercial - Garbage cans, trash containers and uncontain-
erized trash shall be kept in an area where they are easily
accessible for pickup.
Sec. 14A-4. Same - Inspection; Condemnation, appeal from same.
All garbage cans ~nd trash containers shall be subject to in-
spection and approval or condemnation by the inspectors of the
Public Works Department of the City. No appeal from such
condemnation shall be possible except to the Director of Public
Works.
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Ord. No. 22-75.
Sec. 14A-5. Preparation of Garbage.
All wet garbage matter shall be wrapped in paper or disposable
containers before being placed in garbage cans. All garbage,
after having been so wrapped and drained of all liquids, shall
be daily deposited in garbage cans herein required. Tin cans,
bottles, and other containers shall first be drained of all
liquid and shall be deposited in garbage cans. All garbage and
trash cans shall be kept tightly covered at all times, except
as it is necessary to remove the cover for the purpose of
depositing garbage or trash in the can or when collection is
being made.
Sec. 14A-6. Preparation of Trash.
Trash shall be placed in trash containers whenever practicable.
All trash shall be so prepared and contained so as not to be
blown about by the wind.
Sec. 14A-7. Burial prohibited, exception; Container construction
and design.
No person shall deposit on or bury in, or cause to be deposited
on or buried in, any land, public square, street, alley, vacant
or unoccupied lot or any creek or water course any noxious,
filthy, maladorous, or offensive liquid or solid material, gar-
bage or trash, or place or keep such materials,' garbage, or trash
anywhere within the limits of the city in any vessel or recept-
acle other than in a standard, approved garbage can or trash
container from which regular collections are to be made. Such
garbage cans and trash containers shall be of such size, style,
and design as have been approved by the Department of Public
Works of the city for the accumulation, deposit and storage,
respectively, of garbage and trash.
Sec. 14A-8. Service Charge or Fee.
(a) Class Description.
(1) Residential Dwelling Unit - $3.50 per month for garbage
pickup. This charge shall commence when a certificate of
occupancy is issued for a residential dwelling unit and
shall continue monthly thereafter unless service is dis-
continued in accordance with 14A-8(c).
(2) Commercial and customers other than those specified in (1)
above for garbage and trash - $1.50 per cubic yard with a
minimum monthly charge of $7.00 per month per customer.
The minimum monthly charge shall be levied as to each cus-
tomer despite the fact that there may be several customers
using the same container. Users in this category will be
charged on the basis of the size of the container they are
using without regard to the fact that such container may or
may not be full. The charge will be levied as if all such
containers were full.
(b) Method of Billing.
The monthly charge in paragraph ~) above shall be billed togethe
with and as a part of the monthly statement issued by this city
for water services, at the same time as such other charges, pro-
vided that such garbage and trash collection service charges
shall be itemized separately on such statement.
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Ord. No. 22-75.
(c) Delinquency; discontinuance of service.
Delinquency in the payment of these fees shall be equal to and
the same as'being delinquent for water billed, and the city may
discontinue water service until these fees are fully paid.
Likewise, discontinuance of water service at the customer's
request shall also result in discontinuance of the services
provided for in this ordinance.
(d) Unimproved property.
However, if water is being furnished the premises of any owner
and there is no service under this ordinance furnished because
of no improvements or buildings on the premises, no fee will be
charged under this ordinance. The failure of a tenant or owner
of any premise to avail himself of the use of city water or
collection service shall not relieve him from the payment of
collection service charges.
(e) Charge to be billed to users' record of water services.
The person or company in whose name the water services are
billed shall be considered and.declared to be for the purpose
of the enforcement of this article responsible for the payment
of such fees, rates, and charges therefor as are hereby estab-
lished or as hereafter modified by the City Council of the City
of Delray Beach, except that wherein no water service is rend-
ered and collection service is requested or deemed necessary
such fees shall be the responsibility of the owner or tenant of
such property.
Sec. 14A-9. Residential Trash Collection.
(a) Persons, firms or corporations engaged in either commercial
landscape or lawn maintenance businesses shall be responsible
for hauling trash generated by their activities to the City's
disposal area. The City shall pay the disposal fee for the
trash and shall require a signed statement from the person
hauling it affirming the fact that the trash originated from
real property located in the municipal limits of Delray Beach.
(b) The City shall pick up, haul, and dispose of residential trash
other than that specified in (1) above at no additional cost
except that the City shall not be responsible for either pickin¢
up, hauling, or disposing of (whether for a fee or not) trash
generated by construction activity or any other trash which is
likely to damage the City's collection equipment. Construction
material and other trash not qualifying for City pick-up, haul-
ing, or disposal shall not be placed on a public road right-of-
way.
Sec. 14A-10. Garbage collection reserved in the City; procedure for
awarding franchise for private collection.
The governmental function of collection, removal and dispositio]
of all garbage and trash (except garden trash) within the muni-
cipal limits of the City is hereby exclusively vested in the
municipal goverment of said City and all other individuals,
persons, firms or corporations are hereby specifically prohibit.
ed from engaging in such practice or business within the corporat(
limits of said municipality, and from utilizing the publicly
dedicated streets, alleys or thoroughfares for said purposes,
provided, however, that in the event the City Council should
determine that said functions can be performed by private enter-
prise on a more economical and efficient basis, said Council
may award an exclusive franchise to a private concern for the
performance of said functions upon such terms and conditions as
are determined by the City Council, in their judgment, to be
most beneficial to the citizens of the municipality.
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Sec. 14A-11. Reserved.
Sec. 14A-12. Enforcement of chapter provisions; penalty for violation
(a) It shall be unlawful for any person to neglect, fail, or refuse
to comply with and abide by any of the provisions of this chap-
ter. The performance on each day of any prohibited act or
practice or the failure to perform on each day of any required
act or practice shall constitute a separate and distinct viola-
tion of this chapter and a separate offense hereunder ~nd shall
be punishable as such.
(b) Any person who falsifies a statement required by Section 14A-9(a)
shall upon conviction thereof be fined not less than $100 and
not more than $500 for eack statement so falsified.
(c) Any person who shall violate this chapter other than Section
14A-9(a) relating to the statements required for the City to pay
the disposal fee shall, upon conviction thereof, be fined not
more than five hundred dollars or be imprisoned in the city jail
not to exceed sixty days, or by both such fine and imprisonment.
Section 3.- All ordinances or parts of ordinances in conflict here-
with be and the same are hereby repealed.
PASSED AND ADOPTED in regular session on second and final reading
on this the 23rdday of June , 1975.
City Clerk
First Reading May 27, 1975
Second Reading Jun~ 23~ 1975
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Ord. No. 22-75.