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City of Fritch, TX
Hutchinson County
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Table of Contents
Table of Contents
(a) 
Definitions.
Citizens’ collection station.
A facility established for the convenience and exclusive use of residents (not commercial or industrial users or collection vehicles). The facility may consist of one or more storage containers, bins, or trailers.
Household trash.
Solid waste comprising of garbage and rubbish (such as bottles, cans, clothing, compost, disposables, food packaging, food scraps, newspapers and magazines, and yard trimmings) that originates from private homes or apartments. It may also contain household hazardous waste.
Salvaging.
The controlled removal of waste materials for utilization, recycling, or sale.
Scavenging.
The uncontrolled and unauthorized removal of materials at any point in the solid waste management system.
(b) 
Use by city residents.
Every resident (not commercial or industrial) who pays the city for refuse service may use the city’s citizens’ collection station, located at the city’s recycling center, one time per month at no charge upon presentation of a current city utility payment stub verifying refuse service and a government issued ID. If no such utility bill stub and/or government issued ID can be presented, then the appropriate fee shall be paid before such use is allowed. If said resident has already exercised his/her one free use during the month, then any additional use during the same month will require payment of the appropriate fee. Dump trucks, flatbed/stake-side trucks and trailers longer than 16 feet will not be allowed a free use, and any use by such truck or trailer shall require payment of the appropriate fee.
(c) 
Use by residents not paying for refuse service and nonresidents.
Any resident who does not pay the city for refuse service and whose residence is situated beyond the corporate limits of the city may use the city’s citizens’ collection station upon payment of the appropriate fee.
(d) 
Use by business, firm or corporation.
No business, firm or corporation shall make use of the citizens’ collection station.
(e) 
Use by owners of rental property.
Resident and nonresident taxpaying owners of rental property within the corporate city limits shall be allowed one free use of the citizens’ collection station per calendar month. Authorization must be secured at city hall prior to making use of the one free or additional paid uses of the citizens’ collection station.
(f) 
Tree limbs.
There will be no charge for tree limbs deposited at the citizens’ collection station when properly placed as directed by the attendant on duty. This no-charge policy applies to both residents and nonresidents alike who pay the city for refuse services. There will be a fee charged for any person, firm or corporation that clears, removes, cuts or trims trees or shrubs for profit.
(g) 
Fee schedule for use of station generally.
The fee schedule for use of the city’s citizens’ collection station is as follows:
(1) 
Car or pickup truck load: $7.00.
(2) 
Trailer loads will be charged by the foot. Examples: 10 ft. trailer will be $10.00; 16 ft. trailer will be $16.00.
(3) 
Tires:
(A) 
15" or less: $3.00 per tire.
(B) 
16" and greater: $7.00 per tire.
(C) 
Tractor tire: $45.00 per tire.
(D) 
Tire with rim: $1.00 extra.
(h) 
Fee schedule for use of roll-off dump grounds.
The fee schedule for use of the city’s “roll-off dump grounds” is as follows:
(1) 
Car or pickup load: $7.00.
(2) 
Trailer loads will be charged by the foot. Examples: 10 ft. trailer will be $10.00; 16 ft. trailer will be $16.00.
(i) 
Waiver of fee.
In emergency situations such as floods or high winds, including tornadoes, the mayor, city manager, EOC director for the city, or their designee is hereby authorized to waive fees for cleanup of debris caused by said emergency. The waiving of said fees shall be subject to oversight and review by the city council at the first regular or called meeting of the city council following such emergency.
(j) 
Unlawful acts.
Illegal dumping, dumping of household trash and/or failure to follow the directions of the attendant on duty may subject the actor to prosecution under the Texas Health and Safety Code, chapters 341, 365, et al.
(Ordinance 556 adopted 6/20/17)
[1]
Editor’s note–This division derives from Ordinance 313, which was omitted in the 1995 recodification. Ordinance 313 was reenacted by Ordinance 406 adopted December 18, 2001.
Brush.
The cuttings or trimmings from trees, shrubs or lawns and similar materials.
Bureau.
The bureau of solid waste management in the department of state health services.
Citizens’ collection station.
A facility established for the convenience and exclusive use of residents (not commercial or industrial users or collection vehicles). The facility may consist of one or more storage containers, bins or trailers.
Collection.
The act of removing solid waste (or materials which have been separated for the purpose of recycling) for transport elsewhere.
Collector.
Any person who accepts directly from two or more households any unmanifested waste materials that have been separated from other household waste and offered to the collector because the generator either knows or considers the materials to be hazardous household waste.
Construction or demolition waste.
Waste which typically results from construction or demolition projects and includes all materials which are directly or indirectly the byproducts of construction work or which result from demolition of buildings and other structures, including but not limited to paper, cartons, gypsum board, wood, excelsior, rubber and plastics.
Controlled burning.
The combustion of solid waste within the confines of a “burn barrel” or “burn pit.”
Customer.
Same as person.
Discard.
To abandon a material and not use, reuse, reclaim or recycle it. A material is abandoned by being disposed of; burned or incinerated (except where the material is being burned as a fuel for the purpose of recovering usable energy); or physically, chemically, or biologically treated (other than burned or incinerated) in lieu of or prior to being disposed.
Disposal.
The discharge, deposit, injection, dumping, spilling, leaking or placing any solid waste or hazardous waste (whether containerized or uncontainerized) into or on any land or water so that such solid waste or hazardous waste or any constituent thereof may enter the environment or be emitted into the air or discharge into any waters, including groundwaters.
Elements of nature.
Rainfall, snow, sleet, hail or other natural precipitation.
EPA.
Environmental Protection Agency.
Essentially insoluble.
Any material which, in representatively sampled and placed in static or dynamic contact with deionized water at ambient temperature for seven days, will not leach any quantity of any constituent of the material into the water in excess of U.S. Public Health Service or U.S. Environmental Protection limits for drinking water as published in the Federal Register.
Experimental project.
Any new proposed method of managing municipal solid waste, including resource and energy recovery projects, which appears to have sufficient merit to warrant departmental approval.
Garbage.
Solid waste resulting from or incidental to municipal, community, commercial, institutional and recreational activities including garbage, rubbish, ashes, street cleanings, all other waste other than industrial solid waste or as defined in accordance with V.T.C.A., Health and Safety Code, chapter 361, in conjunction with the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (also known as Public Law 94-580) passed by the 94th Congress on 21 October 1976.
Hazardous waste.
Any solid waste identified or listed as hazardous waste by the Administrator of the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) pursuant to the federal Solid Waste Disposal Act, as amended by the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), 42 U.S.C. 691 et seq., as amended.
Household.
Single and multiple residences, hotels and motels, bunkhouses, ranger stations, crew quarters, campgrounds, picnic grounds and day-use recreational areas.
Industrial hazardous waste.
Hazardous waste determined to be of industrial origin.
Industrial solid waste.
Solid waste resulting from or incidental to any process of industry, manufacturing, mining or agricultural operations.
(1) 
Class I industrial solid waste or class I waste.
Any industrial solid waste designated as class I by the executive director of the state commission on environmental quality as any industrial solid waste or mixture of industrial solid waste which because of its concentration or physical or chemical characteristics is toxic, corrosive, flammable, a strong sensitizer or irritant, a generator of sudden pressure by decomposition, heat, or other means and may pose a substantial present or potential danger to human health or the environment when improperly processed, stored, transported, or otherwise managed, including hazardous industrial waste.
(2) 
Class II industrial solid waste.
Any individual solid waste or combination of industrial solid waste which cannot be described as class I or class III.
(3) 
Class III industrial solid waste.
Inert and essentially insoluble industrial solid waste, including materials such as rock, brick, glass, dirt and certain plastics and rubber, etc., that are not readily decomposable.
Inert material.
A naturally occurring nonputrescible material which is essentially insoluble such as soil, dirt, clay, sand, gravel and rock.
Infectious waste.
Waste containing pathogens or biologically active material which because of its type, concentration, and quantity is capable transmitting disease to persons exposed to waste.
Leache.
Liquid that has passed through or emerged from solid waste and contains soluble, suspended or miscible materials removed from such waste.
Manifest.
A uniform hazardous waste manifest.
Manmade inert material.
Those nonputrescible, essentially insoluble materials fabricated by man which are not included under the definition of rubbish.
Municipal hazardous waste.
Any municipal solid waste or mixture of municipal solid waste which has been identified or listed as hazardous waste by the Administrator, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
Municipal solid waste.
A solid waste resulting from or incidental to municipal, community, commercial, institutional and recreational activities including garbage, rubbish, ashes, street cleanings and all other waste other than industrial solid waste.
Open burning.
The combustion of solid waste without control of combustion air to maintain adequate temperature for efficient combustion; without containment of the combustion reaction in and of the combustion reaction in an enclosed device to provide sufficient residence time and mixing for complete combustion; and without control of the emission of the combustion products.
Person.
Individual, corporation, organization, government or governmental subdivision or agency, business trust, partnership, association or any other legal entity.
Premises.
A tract of land with the buildings thereon, or a building or part of a building with its grounds or other appurtenances.
Public highway.
The entire width between property lines of any road, street, way, thoroughfare, bridge, public beach, or park in the city, not privately owned or controlled, if any part of the road, street, way, thoroughfare, bridge, public beach, or park is opened to the public for vehicular traffic, is used as a public recreational area, or is under the city’s jurisdiction through its police power. (V.T.C.A., Health and Safety Code, section 365.011.)
Putrescible waste.
Organic waste, such as garbage, waste treatment plant sludge, and grease trap waste, that is capable of being decomposed by microorganisms with sufficient rapidity as to cause odors or gases or is capable of providing food for or attracting birds, animals and disease vectors.
Radioactive waste.
The waste which requires specific licensing under chapter 72, Acts of the 57th Legislature, Regular Session, 1961, as amended (V.T.C.A., Health and Safety Code, chapter 401), and the rules adopted by the state commission on environmental quality under the law.
RCRA.
Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), 42 U.S.C. 691 et seq., as amended
Refuse.
The same as rubbish
Resource recovery.
The recovery of material from solid waste.
Rubbish.
Nonputrescible solid waste (excluding ashes), consisting of both combustible and noncombustible waste materials; combustible rubbish includes paper, rags, cartons, wood, excelsior, furniture, rubber, plastics, yard trimmings, leaves, and similar materials; noncombustible rubbish includes glass, crockery, tin cans, aluminum cans, metal furniture and like materials which will not burn at ordinary incinerator temperatures (1600 degrees Fahrenheit to 1800 degrees Fahrenheit).
Salvaging.
The removal of waste materials for utilization, recycling, or for sale.
Scavenging.
The unauthorized removal of materials at any point in the solid waste management system.
Scrap tire.
Any tire that can no longer be used for its original intended purpose.
Sludge.
Any solid, semisolid, or liquid waste generated from a municipal, commercial, or industrial wastewater treatment plant, water supply treatment plant, or an air pollution control facility or any other waste having similar characteristics and effect, exclusive of the treated effluent from a wastewater treatment plant.
Small-quantity generators (SQG).
Any special waste generated by a generator at a quantity of less than 100 kg per month.
Solid waste.
Any garbage, refuse, sludge from a waste treatment plant, water supply treatment plant or air pollution control facility, and other discarded material, including solid, liquid, semisolid, or contained gaseous material resulting from industrial, municipal, commercial, mining and agricultural operations, and from community and institutional activities but does not include:
(1) 
Solid or dissolved material in domestic sewage, or solid or dissolved material in irrigation return flows, or industrial discharges subject to regulation by permit issued pursuant to chapter 26, Water Code;
(2) 
Soil, dirt, rock, sand, and other natural or manmade inert solid waste materials used to fill land if the object of the fill is to make the land suitable for the construction of surface improvements; or
(3) 
Waste materials which result from activities associated with the exploration, development, or production of oil or gas and are subject to by the railroad commission of the state.
Special waste.
Any solid waste or combination of solid wastes which because of quantity, concentration, physical or chemical characteristics or biological properties requires special handling and disposal to protect human health or the environment. If improperly handled, transported, stored, processed or disposed of or otherwise managed, it may pose a present or potential danger to the human health or the environment. Special wastes include, but are not limited to:
(1) 
Hazardous waste from small-quantity generators (as per section 325.298 of the department of state health services Solid Waste Act) that may be exempt from full controls under sections 325.271 thru 325.350 of the department of state health services Solid Waste Act;
(2) 
Class I industrial nonhazardous waste not routinely collected with municipal solid waste;
(3) 
Infectious and pathological wastes from health care facilities, veterinary hospitals, or laboratories;
(4) 
Municipal wastewater treatment plant sludges to include other types of domestic sewage treatment sludges that have not been treated by one of the processes prescribed in federal regulations under 40 CFR part 257, appendix II;
(5) 
Septic tank pumpings;
(6) 
Grease and grit trap wastes;
(7) 
Wastes from commercial or industrial wastewater treatment plants (except domestic sewage); air pollution control facilities; and tanks, drums, or containers used for shipping or storing any material that has been listed as hazardous constituent in 40 CFR part 261, appendix VII, but has not been listed as a commercial chemical product in 40 CFR 261.33(e) or (f);
(8) 
Slaughterhouse wastes;
(9) 
Dead animals;
(10) 
Drugs, contaminated foods, or drink products, other than those of normal household waste;
(11) 
Pesticide (insecticide, herbicide, fungicide, or rodenticide) containers; and
(12) 
Discarded materials containing asbestos.
Transporter.
A person who collects and transports municipal waste. Transporter does not include a man or woman transporting his or her household waste.
Trash.
The same as rubbish.
Triple rinse.
To rinse a container three (3) times using a volume of solvent to 10% of the volume of the container or liner for each rinse.
Used tire.
Any tire that has been mounted upon a wheel and utilized for any period of time, or any tire that cannot be legally described as new.
Vector.
An agent, such as an insect, snake, rodent or animal capable of mechanically or biologically transferring a pathogen from one organism to another.
(Ordinance 313, sec. 9-1, adopted 6/4/91; Ordinance 493, sec. 1, adopted 5/20/08)
The city shall provide a designated size container for each resident based on the established policy of four households per dumpster when logistically possible. All commercial businesses, schools, churches, and lodges shall be provided containers based on the volume of solid waste for disposal. All containers within the corporate limits of the city shall be located in alleyways when possible. If an alleyway is not available, the resident or business receiving the services provided shall provide an off-street location for the container which will be accessible for the sanitation vehicle without obstructions.
(Ordinance 313, sec. 9-2, adopted 6/4/91)
(a) 
The city will accept within its solid waste management system all material that is classified as “municipal solid waste.” Material classified as the following shall not be collected by the city’s containerized solid waste management system:
(1) 
Hazardous waste.
(2) 
Industrial solid waste - classes I, II and III.
(3) 
Infectious waste.
(4) 
Radioactive waste.
(5) 
Sludges, both liquid and solid.
(6) 
Special waste.
(7) 
Tires, both used and new.
(b) 
Material classified as construction or demolition waste shall only be accepted at the citizens’ collection station. If construction or demolition waste is deposited in a standard residential container, the material shall be removed prior to any further action by the city.
(Ordinance 313, sec. 9-3, adopted 6/4/91)
(a) 
It shall be unlawful for any person, except the employees of the city, to transport solid waste on the public highways or alleys of the city without an effective permit with the city.
(b) 
If permitted, the hauler shall insure the following:
(1) 
The means of conveyance shall be adequately [covered] so that the material being transported shall be contained in accordance with all department of state health services regulations.
(2) 
Each vehicle shall be regularly cleaned and comply with all department of state health services regulations.
(3) 
The construction of each vehicle shall comply with acceptable standards as set by the department of state health services.
(Ordinance 313, sec. 9-4, adopted 6/4/91)
(a) 
There shall be a fee for the issuance of a permit for the hauling of solid waste on a commercial basis. The five hundred dollar ($500.00) fee shall be remitted to the city prior to any commercial operation within the corporate limits of the city.
(b) 
Permits shall expire on the 30th day of September of each year with adjustments based on 1/12 of the cost of such permit when purchased during the fiscal year.
(Ordinance 313, sec. 9-5, adopted 6/4/91)
Open or controlled burning of any brush, rubbish, or solid waste inside the city limits is hereby prohibited. Open or controlled burning by the city is authorized by exception when properly permitted by TCEQ is permitted within the city limits.
(Ordinance 493, sec. 2, adopted 5/20/08)
The classification of dead animals is a special waste and therefore prohibited from being placed in any container with the city solid waste management system.
(Ordinance 313, sec. 9-7, adopted 6/4/91)
The collection and disposal of solid waste shall be made on a schedule per policy of the city council.
(Ordinance 313, sec. 9-8, adopted 6/4/91)
The collection and disposal of solid waste shall be made on a schedule per policy of the city council.
(Ordinance 313, sec. 9-9, adopted 6/4/91)
The city, at its option, shall be empowered to levy additional charges based on the frequency of request for additional dumps on specific containers. It is a policy of the city that the additional dumps of the container system will be used as a courtesy for the citizens of the city with continuous use of this option to be billed as determined by the staff of the city.
(Ordinance 313, sec. 9-10, adopted 6/4/91)
(a) 
A monthly statement for charges of the solid waste management system which includes amounts due for the quantity of water supplied the customer and the service charges for sewer services shall be sent to the customer whose name appears on city records as being the contracting agent with the city for water service to the premises where such refuse is removed. If the complete charge for solid waste collection, water consumed and sewer service is not paid within ten (10) [days] from the mailing date thereof, the city shall have the option to discontinue all such services without further notice to the customer liable for the funding of such services or to the occupants of the premises receiving the services.
(b) 
In the event that water is not supplied [to] the premises upon which the services herein [described are] provided, then the bill shall be sent to the owner or occupant of the premises where such solid waste is removed.
(c) 
There shall be charged, assessed and collected through the water billing from each customer receiving the services provided from the city municipal solid waste management system a monthly service charge for service rendered. The charge for services shall be as follows:
(1) 
City residential customers: $10.50 + state tax.
(2) 
Outside residential customers: $11.90 + state tax.
(3) 
All other customers based on distance and volume of solid waste to be collected.
(Ordinance 313, sec. 9-11, adopted 6/4/91)
All solid waste that is mixed with water or other liquid shall be drained to be free of leache prior to putting the solid into any container or receptacle. All other approved animal matter that is subject to decomposition shall be wrapped in paper or other biodegradable material prior to being deposited in a container of the solid waste management system.
(Ordinance 313, sec. 9-12, adopted 6/4/91)
Each person using the solid waste management system shall insure that the lids of the container being used shall be closed after the depositing of solid waste.
(Ordinance 313, sec. 9-13, adopted 6/4/91)
All salvaging or scavenging within the city solid waste management system is hereby prohibited.
(Ordinance 313, sec. 9-14, adopted 6/4/91)
Each residential customer of the city solid waste management system is hereby designated as a small-quantity generator of hazardous waste until that customer exceeds the designated point of 100 kg per month of household hazardous waste. If the small-quantity generator [exceeds the] limits, the customer shall become liable for appropriate action (in accordance with the Texas Sanitation and Health Protection Law, V.T.C.A., Health and Safety Code, chapter 361; Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), 42 U.S.C. 691 et seq.; state commission on environmental quality Hazardous Waste Act and all other appropriate regulations) for the effective disposal of the hazardous solid waste and prohibited from utilization of the city solid waste management system.
(Ordinance 313, sec. 9-15, adopted 6/4/91)
The discarding or disposal of all classifications of solid waste on any premises or any public highway by any person is hereby prohibited.
(Ordinance 313, sec. 9-16, adopted 6/4/91)
All experimental solid wastes projects within the corporate limits are hereby prohibited without written authorization of the city, the department of state health services and the Environmental Protection Agency.
(Ordinance 313, sec. 9-17, adopted 6/4/91)
All solid waste disposal sites [within the] corporate limits and the extraterritorial jurisdiction of the city are hereby prohibited without written authorization of the city, the department of state health services and the Environmental Protection Agency.
(Ordinance 313, sec. 9-18, adopted 6/4/91)
All appropriate regulations of the Texas Sanitation and Health Protection Law, V.T.C.A., Health and Safety Code, chapter 361; Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), 42 U.S.C. 691 et seq.; and the state commission on environmental quality Hazardous Waste Act are hereby embraced and made a part of this division.
(Ordinance 313, sec. 9-19, adopted 6/4/91)
It shall be unlawful to move, relocate, or otherwise prohibit access to a trash container or stop, stand, or park a vehicle or trailer on public or private property in a manner and in a location that prevents access to a trash container by a trash collection truck which is attempting to empty the trash container. For the purposes of this section, it shall be presumed that the owner of record of any violating vehicle is the person who parked the vehicle or trailer in the offending location, and in absence of evidence identifying another person in control of such vehicle, the complaint alleging a violation of this section shall be filed against the owner of record.
(Ordinance 572 adopted 7/17/18)
If a container is located on private property, any damage caused by the container pickup equipment to the surfaces of the private property adjacent to the container will not be the responsibility of the sanitation department.
(Ordinance 313, sec. 9-21, adopted 6/4/91)
(a) 
For residential collection, the director shall determine the required number and location of containers in the residential areas.
(b) 
For commercial collection, the director, through consultation with the owner or occupant of a business or commercial establishment, shall determine the number and size required, location and pickup frequency of containers.
(Ordinance 313, sec. 9-22, adopted 6/4/91)
Any person engaged in the business of cutting or trimming trees or shrubs shall be responsible for the disposal of trees, tree and shrub cuttings and trimmings at the expense of such person. It shall be unlawful for such person to deposit trees, tree or shrub cuttings or trimmings at any location of the city solid waste management system other than the citizens’ collection station.
(Ordinance 313, sec. 9-23, adopted 6/4/91)
All trash and other material inside a sanitation container or city disposal site is the property of the city. No person is allowed to separate, collect, carry off or dispose of garbage or trash except under the authority and direction of the director of public works.
(Ordinance 313, sec. 9-24, adopted 6/4/91)
(a) 
Any person who shall violate any provision of this division, upon conviction, shall be assessed a penalty as follows:
(1) 
First conviction: fine from $1 to $200.00 (class C misdemeanor).
(2) 
Subsequent convictions: fine from $1 to $1,000.00 in addition to time in confinement (class A misdemeanor).
(b) 
Each offense and each day’s continuance of failure to comply with the provisions of this division shall constitute a separate and distinct offense.
(Ordinance 313, sec. 9-26, adopted 6/4/91)