[HISTORY: Adopted by the Mayor and Council of the City of Hagerstown 4-22-2008 by Ord. No. O-08-12. Amendments noted where applicable.]
A. 
It is the intent of the City to require all residents within the incorporated areas of the City to have refuse collected and disposed of in a proper, sanitary and efficient manner; to provide all residents with a sanitary and efficient means of having their refuse collected and disposed of; to provide means for all residents to recycle reusable items; to eliminate illegal dumping; to provide effective and efficient methods of collecting funds for the costs of the recycling and refuse collection program; and to promote the health, safety and welfare of the citizens of the City.
B. 
It is hereby declared, found and determined by the City, that the refuse collection, recycling and yard waste collection services provided by the City pursuant to this chapter and corresponding collection contracts including, but not limited to, the accomplishment of the intents stated herein, shall and do constitute a special benefit to residential properties within the City which is equal to, or in excess of, the actual costs of providing such recycling and refuse collection and disposal service and which such facilities and services specially benefit residential properties.
C. 
It is the intent of the City that the collection and hauling of recyclables and refuse shall be conducted only by those businesses authorized to do so by the City.
For the purposes of this chapter, the definitions contained in this section shall apply unless otherwise specifically stated. The words "shall" or "will" are mandatory and not discretionary. For the purpose of these specifications, the following definitions shall apply:
BULK TRASH
Is not collected as "residential refuse" and means any solid waste that requires additional management due to bulk or weighs greater than 50 pounds. Such waste shall be collected by a special program administered by the Department of Public Works (DPW) and shall not be collected under the City's Residential Refuse and Recycling Collection Program.
CITY ENGINEER
Refers to the duly appointed City Engineer of the City of Hagerstown, Maryland, or his authorized representative, acting within the scope of the particular duties entrusted to them.
COMMINGLED
Refers to the mixing of materials designated for recycling. The recyclable materials buyer shall sort the recyclables into homogenous types of recyclable materials for reuse as new products.
COMMERCIAL PROPERTY
Is not eligible for the City recycling and refuse collection service and means property including, but not limited to, all hotels, motels, commercial businesses (wholesale/retail), manufacturing, industrial and institutional enterprises of all types. Commercial properties shall be all properties other than those listed as residential in this chapter and the policies of the City of Hagerstown. Commercial property owners shall contract privately for solid waste collection services.
CONSTRUCTION AND DEMOLITION DEBRIS
Waste materials generally considered to be non-water soluble and nonhazardous in nature, including but not limited to: steel, glass, brick, concrete, asphalt materials, pipe, gypsum wallboard, and lumber, resulting from the construction or demolition of a structure or from the actual construction of a structure.
CONTRACTOR
Those firms specially authorized by contract by the City of Hagerstown to provide recycling and refuse collection services within the City limits.
CUSTOMER
All natural or lawful persons, corporations, partnerships, or any other legal entity owning residential property within the City, and all other persons subscribing to residential recycling and refuse program as provided by the contractor and the terms of this chapter.
DEPARTMENT
The City of Hagerstown Department of Engineering and Code Administration.
DOWNTOWN DISTRICT
For the purposes of this chapter, those properties located within Zone F of the City's Trash Collection Program.
[Added 3-22-2016 by Ord. No. O-16-09]
DUMPSTER
A large waste receptacle designed to hold recyclables or refuse and which is typically emptied by a front-loading garbage collection truck. Sizes can vary from 1.5 cubic yards' capacity or more. "Dumpster" shall also include any roll-off trash container or other large container used for the temporary storage of rubbish, debris or garbage.
[Amended 6-18-2013 by Ord. No. O-13-11]
ENCLOSURE
Any structure used to house refuse or recycling containers.
[Added 3-22-2016 by Ord. No. O-16-09]
HAZARDOUS WASTE
Wastes that are inherently dangerous to handle or dispose and not accepted at landfills receiving City residential refuse. These wastes include toxic chemicals, biohazards, corrosive materials, reactive chemicals, flammable wastes, explosives, and certain items found in the home including, but not be limited to: pool chlorine, paint thinner and pesticides.
HOLIDAYS
Refers to days when no recycling or refuse collection will be performed including New Year's Day, Memorial Day, Fourth of July, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. In the event a holiday coincides with a landfill Sunday closing, there will be a substitute holiday unless otherwise directed by the City Engineer.
PUBLIC NUISANCE
Any accumulation of refuse, trash, rubbish, garbage, abandoned or lost property or hazardous materials placed not in compliance with the regulations of this chapter.
PUBLIC STREET OR ALLEY
As used herein includes any street, alley or right-of-way dedicated to public use. The contractor will travel such public streets or alleys to make collections at all dwelling units placing trash and/or recyclables at the curbside for collection. This shall include dead-end streets and alleys. The contractor is not expected to enter any private streets, alleys, or other rights-of-way in carrying out the responsibilities of the collection contract. Determination of eligibility to receive municipal trash collection service for residents who live on private streets or courts shall be in accordance with City policy. The City has entered into agreements with certain developments to collect on private streets or courts.
RECEPTACLE or COLLECTION CONTAINER
Any steel, plastic, aluminum, or galvanized receptacle or bin manufactured for the purpose of storing residential recycling or refuse that allows for easy lifting with two handles and capacity of not more than 35 gallons or weighing more than 50 pounds when filled with refuse or recycling. City-issued bins or totes shall be used when applicable, and totes are exempt from the maximum capacity restriction of 35 gallons. All receptacles or containers shall have lids that tightly fit as designed by the manufacturer.
[Amended 3-22-2016 by Ord. No. O-16-09]
RECYCLING MATERIALS or RECYCLABLES
Any materials collected by the contractor for the purpose of materials recycling and reuse. Recycling materials shall include, but not be limited to: newspapers, clear, green and brown glass containers, aluminum cans and foil, steel cans, No. 1 and No. 2 plastic bottles, cardboard, magazines, phone books and yard waste (defined below).
REFUSE BAGS
Secured, leakproof plastic bags, manufactured for the purpose of securing household refuse, of sufficient strength to hold its contents without tearing or allowing the contents to spill, leak or otherwise escape from the bag.
[Added 3-22-2016 by Ord. No. O-16-09]
REFUSE, SOLID WASTE, GARBAGE, TRASH, HOUSEHOLD REFUSE OR RUBBISH
May be used interchangeably and refer to residential items that cannot be recycled. This includes animal, fruit and vegetable waste resulting from the handling, storage, preparation, cooking and consumption of food; rags; cartons; rubber; leather; diapers; small appliances (less than 50 pounds in weight); and waste generated from normal residential household activities.
RESIDENTIAL RECYCLING AND REFUSE COLLECTION SERVICE
Service to residential dwelling units consistent with the policies of the City of Hagerstown.
RESIDENTIAL UNITS OR PROPERTY
A single unit providing complete, independent living facilities for one or more persons including permanent provision for living, sleeping, eating, cooking or sanitation.
SORT
Refers to the separation of the recyclables into segregated bins or storage areas, thus separating the recyclables into homogenous types of recyclable materials.
STORAGE AREA
A confined space or area reserved for storing refuse and/or recycling receptacles or containers on a property.
[Added 3-22-2016 by Ord. No. O-16-09]
TOTES
Refers to thirty-five-, sixty-five- or ninety-five-gallon plastic rollout carts specifically manufactured as a container for recyclables or refuse. Totes include connected lid, wheels, and one-piece handle.
YARD WASTE
Solid waste that is an accumulation of lawn grass, shrubbery cuttings, clippings, leaf rakings, tree branches, bushes or shrubs, green leaf cuttings, fruits or other vegetative matter generally created as refuse in the care of lawns and yards that does not exceed three feet in length and three inches in diameter and 50 pounds in weight. Bundled limbs and tree trunks from tree trimmings not exceeding three feet in length and three inches in diameter may be placed at the curbside for residential pickup.
A. 
The purpose of the Residential Recycling and Refuse Collection Program is to promote the common interests of the citizens of the City and to provide for the collection and disposal of recycling and refuse through the levy of a recycling and refuse service fee as further provided for herein, and to promote the health, safety and welfare of the citizens and residents of the City.
B. 
The Mayor and Council has the authority necessary to carry out the purposes of this chapter. The City Council is authorized to the following:
(1) 
Enter into contracts with any qualified person, firm, or corporation for the furnishing recycling and refuse collection services within the boundaries of the City.
(2) 
Levy and collect, without referendum, recycling and refuse service fee as required for the collection and disposal of recyclables and refuse within the City.
(3) 
Authorize the City Engineer to develop standards and procedures wherein residential collection is administered, and to develop and administer contracts with qualified collection contractors.
(4) 
Establish a recycling and refuse service fee for the collection and disposal of recyclables and refuse as defined in this chapter. The recycling and refuse service fee shall cover the costs of refuse collection and disposal, mixed paper and commingled plastic/aluminum/glass collection and disposal, yard waste collection and disposal, dumpster programs, and other related miscellaneous services and administrative costs. The recycling and refuse service fee shall be amended by administrative action through adoption of the annual City budget or by Mayor and Council resolution.
(5) 
The Mayor and Council shall enter into a contract with any contractor, provided that such contractor is, in the judgment of the Mayor and Council, reliable and sufficiently qualified to undertake and carry out the terms of the contract and to collect, remove and dispose of all accumulations of recyclables and refuse within the corporate limits of the City. Such contract shall contain such terms and conditions as will require the contractor to collect, remove and dispose of recyclables and refuse at regular stated intervals and in such a manner as not to create a public nuisance or interfere in any way with the rights or privileges of any person.
A. 
Residential property within the corporate limits of the City shall be provided refuse collection services as provided for by this chapter, and in accordance with the policies of the City. Participation in the recycling program is voluntary. The City shall provide either directly, or indirectly through agreements with contractors, the following services:
(1) 
Refuse collection.
(2) 
Yard waste recycling collection.
(3) 
Mixed paper recycling collection.
(4) 
Commingled glass/plastic/aluminum recycling collection.
(5) 
Bulk trash collection (DPW program).
(6) 
Annual dumpster program (DPW program).
B. 
The City's residential recycling and refuse collection program will not collect any items specifically restricted or prohibited by the receiving landfill. Items not collected include, but are not limited to the following:
(1) 
Hazardous materials, biohazard materials, or items containing refrigerant.
(2) 
Items collected under the bulk trash program including but not limited to: appliances and furniture over 50 pounds, tires, computer equipment and electronics, mattresses, building or demolition waste, etc.
(3) 
Recycling or refuse from nonresidential or out-of-City property.
(4) 
Containers or items weighing over 50 pounds.
(5) 
Recycling or refuse from private streets or alleys unless expressly agreed to by the City.
[Amended 5-26-2015 by Ord. No. O-15-09; 3-22-2016 by Ord. No. O-16-09]
A. 
Recycling and refuse service fee. Consistent with City policy, all property owners of improved residential property within the City shall subscribe to recycling and refuse collection and disposal service and shall be subject to the levy of a recycling and refuse service fee as further set out pursuant to this chapter. It shall be the responsibility of the property owner of a residential dwelling unit to pay or cause to be paid to the City the recycling and refuse service fee incurred by each separate residential unit(s) for the benefits offered or received by such dwelling unit for refuse collection and recycling collection. Failure to pay the recycling and refuse service fee shall be considered a violation of this chapter and may be collected as provided for further herein, or as otherwise provided for by the laws of the State of Maryland.
B. 
Receptacles, containers, and bags.
(1) 
The City of Hagerstown will provide residential properties throughout the City with recycling containers.
(2) 
It shall be the duty of the residential property owner(s) and tenant(s) to provide approved receptacles or containers (as defined herein) to contain all refuse generated from residences in accordance with the provisions herein.
(3) 
All refuse bags shall be stored indoors or in receptacles or containers.
C. 
Refuse and recycling storage. It shall further be the duty of the residential property owner(s) and their tenant(s) to ensure that receptacles for recycling and refuse are stored in accordance with this chapter (until the appropriate set out time for collection) and consistent with the following conditions:
(1) 
Refuse and recycling stored on the exterior of the property shall be in an approved receptacle or container.
(2) 
Owners or residents of properties located in the South Prospect Street Historic District shall store containers out of public view or shielded from public view of South Prospect Street, unless an exception is approved per Mayor and City Council policy on special circumstances for storage of refuse and recycling containers. When requested by property owners and residents, the Mayor and City Council may approve other neighborhoods for similar public view restrictions on storage of containers and receptacles between collection dates.
(3) 
Every occupant of a structure shall not store receptacles or containers on front yards as defined in Chapter 140, front porches, or public ways. Exceptions:
(a) 
In zero setback areas, properties with no side yard;
(b) 
Receptacles or containers in an approved enclosure;
(c) 
Mayor and City Council policy on special circumstances for storage of refuse and recycling containers.
(4) 
Properties with four or more residential units shall have one designated storage area for refuse and recycling containers between collection days in accordance with this chapter.
D. 
Set-out time; placement of materials for collection; abatement fees.
(1) 
Set-out time and placement of materials for collection.
(a) 
No earlier than 4:00 p.m. on the eve of the day on which the contractor shall collect recycling or refuse on their street in the City, it shall be the duty of the residential property owners and their tenants to place their recycling or refuse in the public way in front of their premises as close as possible to the curb, or collection point designated by the City Engineer, so as to be of easy access to the contractor.
(b) 
In the Downtown District, refuse and recycling must be set out for collection in receptacles or containers. In all other areas, refuse bags may be set out for collection consistent with the provisions of this section.
(c) 
Placement of these materials shall not block the free passage (minimum width of 36 inches) of pedestrians on the public sidewalk.
(d) 
All such receptacles or containers shall be removed as soon as possible after the collection and, in no instance, shall they be permitted to remain curbside after 7:00 p.m. on the day of collection.
(e) 
Any persons placing garbage and/or household refuse containers out for collection prior to 4:00 p.m. on the eve of the collection, or at any time not consistent with the scheduled collection date, or the owner of any property upon which such a violation exists shall be guilty of a municipal infraction and subject to a fine of $200.
(2) 
Abatement fee. In addition to the penalty hereinabove enumerated, the City may abate a condition where garbage and/or household refuse bags, containers, or receptacles have been placed out for collection prior to 4:00 p.m. on the eve of, or at any time not consistent with the scheduled collection date, and may charge a reasonable abatement fee as from time to time established by the Council for the removal and disposal thereof. Said abatement fee shall be billed to the property owner as a separate and distinct charge from the service fee and, if unpaid for 30 days, shall constitute a lien against the property.
A. 
The recycling and refuse service fee shall be imposed against the owners of all residential units receiving recycling and refuse collection in the corporate limits of the City that have a certificate of occupancy approval or an active public water service account established with the City of Hagerstown unless specifically excluded by written City policy.
B. 
The City Treasurer shall administer the billing and collection of the recycling and refuse service fee for residential units. All delinquent bills are chargeable against the owners of the residential units and shall constitute and are hereby imposed as liens against all such residential properties.
C. 
The property owner(s) of record where the solid waste and household refuse is collected is/are responsible for the payment of said recycling and refuse service fee. Unpaid recycling and refuse service fees shall constitute a lien on the property and may be collected in the same manner as municipal taxes.
It shall be unlawful for any person to throw, dump or deposit any trash, junk or other refuse upon any public street, public right-of-way, or public alley within the City or upon any land owned by the City.
The recycling and refuse collection program is available to residential properties within the corporate limits of the City of Hagerstown. It shall be unlawful for any person to transport refuse or recycling from a residence or commercial establishment outside the City into the City for collection by the City's residential recycling and refuse collection program, bulk trash program, or dumpster program. It shall be unlawful for any person to set out commercial refuse or recycling (regardless of the location of origin) for collection by the City's residential recycling and refuse collection program.
For all dumpsters in the C-3 Commercial Central Zoning District of the downtown and all new dumpster or central trash dropoff areas established in the City, an enclosure is required. The intent of the enclosure is to block the dumpster from being visible from the public right-of-way or street. Enclosure shall be installed per the standard provided in the Department's Public Ways Construction Standards and Engineering Guidelines Manual for all new installations. Enclosures around existing dumpsters in the C-3 Commercial Central Zone may be of modified design if the intent described above is met and is approved by the City Engineer.
[Added 6-18-2013 by Ord. No. O-13-11]
Except as hereinafter provided, dumpsters are prohibited on residential properties. This prohibition shall not apply to apartment complexes with an approved site plan identifying a dumpster location. The aforegoing notwithstanding, dumpsters shall be permitted on residential properties on a limited, temporary basis not to exceed 14 days or during any period of construction at the subject property for so long as a valid construction permit is in effect. All temporary dumpsters shall comply with the provisions of the City Fire Code as well as all other applicable codes and regulations and shall not be maintained in the public right-of-way absent approval of the City.
When properties are specifically exempted herein from the City's Residential Recycling and Refuse Collection Program, the property owners shall contract privately for solid waste collection services. Those properties and the private hauler shall be registered with the Department.
Any customer, or any tenant of a customer, who regularly violates the terms of this chapter, including but not limited to § 117-5B (set out time and free passage), § 117-5C (receptacles and storage not visible), and § 117-7 (depositing refuse on public ways), may be refused recycling and refuse service upon ninety-day advance notification by the City Engineer. The City Engineer may adopt policies to refuse or terminate service to any customer when the number of units at a particular location would place an undue burden on the Recycling and Refuse Collection Program.
[Added 6-18-2013 by Ord. No. O-13-11]
Unless specifically punishable as a misdemeanor, any violation of this chapter shall be considered a municipal infraction and subject to the regulations as set forth in Chapter 1, General Provisions, Article III, Municipal Infractions, of the Code of the City of Hagerstown, Maryland. The maximum fines in dollars imposed for the violation of the below-referenced Code sections shall be as follows:
Municipal Infraction Fines:
Code Section
Subject
Fines
§ 117-4B
Improper use of City service
$200
§ 117-5B
Set out time and placement for collection
$200
§ 117-5C
Receptacles for collection and refuse storage
$200
§ 117-7
Depositing refuse on public ways/land
$200
§ 117-8
Service to City residents only
$200
§ 117-9
Dumpster enclosures
$100
Dumpsters prohibited
$500
§ 117-10
Registering haulers
$100