The purpose of this Article is to set forth appropriate standards
and establish specific requirements to be adhered to by property owners
and tenants in maintaining their dwellings and properties at a reasonable
standard and that they be kept free from vermin and rodent infestation,
that dwellings be kept in such repair as to be fit for human habitation,
and to provide for the control of weeds on vacant lots and properties
within the Town limits; in addition, to granting the Mayor and Town
Council or their designee with authority to issue orders compelling
compliance with the provisions hereof, and to correct such conditions
at the expense of the property occupants or owners of properties upon
which violations occur. The intent of this Article is to require that
all dwellings, properties and vacant areas be kept clean and free
from accumulated litter, refuse or other nuisances and that the collection
of trash, garbage and recycling be done in an efficient, lawful and
sanitary manner.
[Amended 8-4-2014 by Ord. No. 09-14]
A. Payment
of the municipal solid waste service charge by each residential home
or property owner receiving or served by the Town’s refuse disposal
system pursuant to this Article and Title 9, Subtitle 7 of the Environment
Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland shall be billed on behalf
of the Town and made payable directly by the property owner to Prince
George’s County by way of the consolidated tax bill issued for
each fiscal year. The Council shall establish or levy the municipal
solid waste service fee each year concurrent with or before the deadline
of the annual levy of real property or other tax rates. Unpaid fees
or charges made pursuant to this Article shall be deemed a lien on
the serviced or subject property collectable in the same manner as
real property taxes.
B. The contractor
shall initially supply each occupied dwelling unit with a cart or
bin (i.e., ninety-five-gallon) without cost to the Town or the customer.
The contractor or the Town shall as permitted by contract or resolution
replace or supply additional carts (i.e., ninety-five-gallon) to any
residents requesting said carts or bins for service to a dwelling.
Unless the applicable contract or a resolution states otherwise, the
contractor or the Town may charge a reasonable delivery fee not to
exceed $15 in addition to a fee of $60 for the cost of an additional
cart. This fee shall be added to the contractor’s or Town’s
invoice to be sent to the property owner or designated occupant. The
fees stated in this Article are subject to change pursuant to the
applicable contract or resolution of the Town Council.
C. The status
or condition of any residential property’s occupancy, use or
ownership, whether rented, vacant, occupied, temporarily vacant, undergoing
foreclosure, or pending sale, shall not relieve the record owner of
liability for the Town’s annual solid waste service charges.
D. The Treasurer,
with the cooperation of the Public Works Director or the Mayor’s
designee, shall annually review and certify to the Council the assessment
of all properties in the Town thereby classified as being served by
the Town’s refuse disposal system and subject to billing pursuant
to this section.
Any person violating the provisions of the Article shall be
guilty of an, infraction and shall, upon conviction, be fined not
more than $200 for the first offense. Repeat offenders may be assessed
a fine not to exceed $400 for each repeat offense.