§ 17-2. Definitions.

The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this chapter, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:

Building materials means any material such as lumber, brick, block, stone, plaster, concrete, asphalt, roofing shingles, gutters and other substances accumulated as the result of repairs or additions to existing buildings or structures, construction of new buildings or structures, or the demolition of existing buildings or structures.

Bulk containers means metal containers of not less than two cubic yards capacity nor larger than eight cubic yards capacity, constructed so as to be watertight but with drain plugs at the lowest point of the container to facilitate the drainage of any liquids that might accumulate in the container or from cleaning the container. Bulk containers shall be designed so that they can be emptied mechanically by specially designed trucks operated by the division of sanitation, department of engineering and public services, of the city.

Business trash means any waste accumulation of dust, paper, cardboard, excelsior, rags or other accumulations other than garbage or household trash which are usually attendant to the operation of stores, offices and similar businesses.

Commercial establishment means any retail, wholesale, motel, hotel, institutional, religious, governmental or other nonresidential establishment which may generate garbage, business trash or other refuse.

Compactor means a roll-off container having an auxiliary packing mechanism.

Detachable container means a container unit that may vary in capacity between 15 cubic yards and 42 cubic yards and which is used for collecting, storing and transporting waste building materials, business trash, industrial waste, hazardous refuse or yard trash. The unit may or may not use an auxiliary packing mechanism for the compaction of the materials into the container and may be of the open or closed type. The distinguishing feature of the detachable container is that it is lifted by a specially designed and equipped truck and becomes an integral part of that truck for transporting waste materials to a disposal site.

Garbage means the waste produced by the handling, processing, preparation, cooking and consumption of animal or vegetable products used for human consumption. This definition shall include any other matter that is also subject to decomposition, decay, putrefaction or the generation of noxious or offensive gases or odors, or which before, during, and after decay may serve as feeding or breeding material for animals or flies or other insects.

Hazardous refuse means materials such as poisons, acids, caustics, harmful or dangerous chemicals, infected materials, offal, fecal matter, explosives, highly flammable material and parts of the human anatomy including pathological specimens.

Household trash means waste accumulation of paper, sweepings, dust, rags, bottles, cans or other waste material of any kind, other than garbage, which is attendant to residential housekeeping.

Industrial waste means all waste, including solids, semisolids, sludges and liquids, created or generated by factories, processing plants or other manufacturing enterprises.

Litter means garbage, refuse, waste materials or any other discarded, used or unconsumed substance which is not handled as specified in this article.

Loading and unloading area means any space or area used by any moving vehicle for the purpose of receiving, shipping and transporting goods, wares, commodities and persons.

Multiple-residential unit means any duplex, apartment, group of apartments or condominiums used for dwelling places for more than one family.

Parking lot means any area, paved or unpaved, the principal function of which is the parking of six or more motor vehicles. This definition excludes those parking spaces on public streets.

Portable packing unit means a metal container that contains a packing mechanism with an internal or external power unit.

Refuse means solid waste accumulations consisting of garbage, household trash, yard trash and business trash.

Refuse receptacles means:

(1)

Mobile rollout container shall be a plastic container of substantial construction having a capacity of 90 gallons. The rollout container shall have a hinged lid with a positive animal lock. Mobile rollout containers shall be designed so that they can be emptied mechanically by specially designed lift devices attached to the city sanitation trucks.

(2)

Polyethylene plastic bags shall weigh no more than 25 pounds when full and may be used only where dogs, rodents and other animals are not a cause of litter. Use of plastic bags is subject to the superintendent of the sanitation division's approval.

(3)

Cardboard boxes, cartons or crates may be used only to contain other cardboard boxes, cartons or crates and must be properly secured by tying or taping. Cardboard boxes shall not exceed a dimension of five feet by six feet by three feet and shall have a volume of at least eight cubic feet. Such boxes shall have a one-time use and shall be collected along with the refuse contained in them.

(4)

Two-ply kraft paper bags may be used for yard trash and shall not weigh more than 25 pounds when full.

Single-residential unit means any dwelling place occupied by one family.

Small dead animals means cats, dogs, small household pets and other animals of similar size.

Tree and shrubbery trimmings means waste accumulation of tree branches, tree limbs, bushes, shrubbery, cuttings or clippings usually created as refuse in the trimming or cutting of trees, shrubs, or bushes. Parts of trees including stumps, providing that such parts of trees or stumps do not weigh more than 50 pounds, shall be included in this definition.

Yard trash means grass clippings, leaves, twigs or the combination of these that are usually associated with yard or lawn maintenance activity. This type of refuse shall be containerized as provided in this chapter. Exceptions shall be only as provided in this chapter.

(Code 1980, § 6-2-2; Ord. No. 981215-54, §§ 1, 2, 12-15-98)

Cross reference

Definitions and rules of construction generally, § 1-2.