Chapter 4.12
SOLID WASTE COLLECTION
AND DISPOSAL
Sections:
4.12.020 Unlawful garbage or rubbish disposal.
4.12.030 Unlawful garbage hauling – Exceptions.
4.12.040 Unlawful disposal sites.
4.12.050 Unlawful garbage can use.
4.12.070 Director of public works authority.
4.12.010 Definitions.
(1) “Alley” means a public or private way giving access to the rear of lots or buildings.
(2) “Bundle” means one box or carton empty or filled with rubbish as defined in this section, one small shrub or small tree or bundle of rubbish, securely bundled so that none of the material blows about and so it is not readily broken apart and which is of such size that the longest dimension does not exceed three feet, the volume does not exceed 12 cubic feet and the total weight does not exceed 80 pounds, and is in good condition for handling at the time of collection.
(3) “Detachable container” means a watertight, all metal container, not less than one-half cubic yard in capacity and equipped with a tight-fitting metal cover. The term shall only apply to containers of other material of similar size when approved by the director of public works. Containers two cubic yards and under shall be equipped with at least three wheels.
(4) “Dwelling unit” in addition to its ordinary meaning includes a room or suite of rooms, etc.
(5) “Garbage” means all discarded putrescible waste matter, including small dead animals weighing not over 15 pounds, but not including sewage or human or animal excrement.
(6) “Garbage can” means a round watertight sheet metal raised-bottom container not exceeding 32 gallons in capacity, weighing not over 26 pounds when empty and without cover, fitted with two sturdy handles, one on each side, and a tight cover equipped with a handle, except in the case of sunken cans. The term shall also apply to containers of other material of similar size and weight when approved by the director of engineering.
(7) “Public works director” means the director of public works of the city of Wenatchee and authorized employees.
(8) “Refuse” means either garbage or rubbish or both garbage and rubbish.
(9) “Refuse disposal site” and “disposal site” means the areas or facilities designated by the city for the disposal of garbage and rubbish including landfills, transfer stations and municipal incinerators.
(10) “Rubbish” means all discarded nonputrescible waste matter.
(11) “Service unit” means a “garbage can” or a “bundle.”
(12) “Street” means a public or private way, other than alleys, used for public travel.
(13) “Sunken can” means a garbage can which is in a sunken covered receptacle specifically designed to contain garbage cans and where the top of the garbage can is approximately at ground level. (Ord. 2684 § 1, 1987)
4.12.020 Unlawful garbage or rubbish disposal.
It is unlawful for anyone to deposit, throw, keep or place any garbage or rubbish on any property, public or private, or in any lane, alley, street or public place except in garbage cans, or detachable containers where authorized or in bundles as described in this chapter, placed on private property or on the street or alley when necessary or required, or upon or at a refuse disposal, processing, or recovery site provided and/or designated by the director of public works pursuant to WCC 4.12.050. (Ord. 2684 § 2, 1987)
4.12.030 Unlawful garbage hauling – Exceptions.
It is unlawful for anyone, except the following, to haul garbage through the streets of the city of Wenatchee.
(1) The city’s garbage contractors;
(2) Any person or business concern transmitting garbage originating from the business concern establishment or the person’s dwelling directly to a refuse disposal, processing, recovery or transfer site as may be provided and/or designated by the director of public works pursuant to WCC 4.12.050. (Ord. 2684 § 3, 1987)
4.12.040 Unlawful disposal sites.
It is unlawful for anyone to deliver and/or deposit any garbage or rubbish generated within the city or without the city at any disposal site other than a refuse disposal, processing, transfer or recovering site provided and/or designated by the director of public works pursuant to WCC 4.12.030 and 4.12.050. (Ord. 2684 § 4, 1987)
4.12.050 Unlawful garbage can use.
(1) It is unlawful for anyone, other than the owner, or one authorized by him, to deposit any material in any garbage can or detached container. The director of public works is authorized and directed to supervise and manage the collection and disposal of garbage and rubbish under this chapter and shall have general charge of supervision over the administration and enforcement of this chapter. Upon a determination that in order to promote the public health, safety or welfare and the successful operation of the system for collection and disposal of garbage or rubbish within the city require such action, the director of public works may direct that anyone, including persons or organized sanctions exempted from the proscriptions of WCC 4.12.030, to deposit all garbage or rubbish hauled by them at designated refuse disposal processing or recovery sites.
(2) The determination by the director of public works shall set forth the reasons therefor, shall be filed with the city clerk and mailed on the date of such filing to all persons and organizations covered by the exemption in WCC 4.12.030(1) and shall be published three days thereafter in the city of Wenatchee’s official newspaper. (Ord. 2684 § 5, 1987)
4.12.060 Violation – Penalty.
Anyone violating or falling to comply with any provision of this chapter shall, upon conviction, be punishable by a fine of not more than $500.00 or by imprisonment in the city jail for a period of not exceeding six months or by both such fine and imprisonment. (Ord. 2684 § 6, 1987)
4.12.070 Director of public works authority.
The director of public works (director) may, upon being made aware of or finding that garbage or rubbish is located upon any private property or abutting right-of-way, investigate the condition. Upon a determination by director that in order to promote the public health, safety and welfare, and the successful operation of the system for collection and disposal of garbage or rubbish within the city, the director may fix the type and number of receptacle or receptacles to be utilized by the premises. Upon such determination being made, the director shall notify Waste Management of Greater Wenatchee, Inc. (contractor) of this determination and shall likewise notify the person or entity in control or ownership of the premises of the determination. Thereafter, the contractor shall place the determined receptacle or receptacles for service to such property.
The contractor shall thereafter bill the premises utilizing the receptacle or receptacles the appropriate rate as established by ordinance for the receptacles determined to be necessary. (Ord. 2956 § 1, 1993)
4.12.080 Special damages.
Upon any representative of the department of health determining that there is garbage located upon private property or the right-of-way abutting thereto, the department representative shall make known the location thereof to Waste Management of Greater Wenatchee, Inc. (contractor). Upon contractor being notified of garbage being located on such premises, contractor shall, within a reasonable period of time, cause a special pickup to be made and shall assess the abutter the cost of cleanup; the rate for such cleanup to be established by ordinance. (Ord. 2956 § 2, 1993)