It is hereby declared and found that the placing, throwing,
depositing or discharging, or the causing to be placed, thrown, deposited
or discharged of litter in whatever form and of whatever content upon
real property within the City limits of the City of Cortland, is a
matter affecting the public interest, that it constitutes a nuisance
in that health, fire and safety hazards are created, and that consequently
this matter is subject to the supervision and control of the City
for the purpose of safeguarding the public health, safety and general
welfare of the people of the City of Cortland.
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
LITTER (noun)
Any bottles, glass, crockery, cans, scrap metal, junk, paper,
garbage, rubbish, trash, dirt, ashes, filth, cinders, liquid (other
than unadulterated water), debris, grass, weeds, hay, lime, dry sand,
coal, hair, waste paper, feathers or similar refuse.
LITTER (verb)
To place, throw, deposit, discharge, drop, spill, scatter;
or to cause litter, as defined in subsection (a) of this section,
to be placed, thrown, deposited, discharged, dropped, spilled or scattered.
[Amended 11-17-2015 by L.L. No. 10-2015]
It is the duty of all owners and occupants of buildings, residences,
structures of any nature, and vacant lots to keep the sidewalks adjacent
to such premises, including but not limited to the front-yard space
of private property within plain view of the public, clean and free
of litter of whatever nature.
No litter that is likely to be carried by the wind shall be
sieved, agitated or exposed, nor shall any carpet, mat, cloth, garment,
yarn material or other substance be shaken, beaten, cleaned or scoured
in any place where they or particles therefrom can pass into any highway,
sidewalk, public place of any description and wherever situate, or
occupied premises.
[Amended 5-4-2010 by Res.
No. 101-2010; 5-4-2010 by L.L. No. 3-2010; 10-1-2013 by L.L. No.
4-2014]
Any person, firm or corporation violating any of the provisions
of this chapter shall be guilty of an offense, punishable by a fine
of not less than $50 nor more than $100 for the first violation; by
a fine of not less than $100 nor more than $175 for a second violation
occurring within a twenty-four-month period from the date of the first
violation; by a fine of $250 for a third or subsequent violation occurring
within a twenty-four-month period from the date of the first violation
or by imprisonment for a definite term not to exceed 15 days, or by
both such fine and imprisonment, and each day on which such violation
continues shall constitute a separate violation.