Chapter 14.18
GARBAGE COLLECTION

Sections:

14.18.010    Applicability.

14.18.020    Intent.

14.18.030    Definitions.

14.18.040    Universal collection service.

14.18.045    Tube compactor/open top bin disposal.

14.18.050    Lien on property.

14.18.060    Rates.

14.18.070    Billing, due date and late charges.

14.18.080    Special pickup service.

14.18.090    Suspension of service.

14.18.100    Containers.

14.18.110    Dead dogs, cats and other animals.

14.18.120    General conditions.

14.18.130    Violations deemed civil infractions – Penalties – Forfeitures.

14.18.010 Applicability.

This chapter applies to all territory embraced within the corporate limits of the city. [Ord. 1100 § 2, 1990. Code 1966 § 7.06.010.]

14.18.020 Intent.

The maintenance of health and sanitation require and it is the intent hereof to make the collection, removal and disposal of garbage compulsory and universal. [Ord. 1100 § 2, 1990. Code 1966 § 7.06.020.]

14.18.030 Definitions.

(1) “Bulk refuse” means discarded household furniture, furnishings, fixtures, large appliances, bedding and mattresses.

(2) “Collector of refuse” means the city sanitation department.

(3) “Commercial” means any business that is advertised by sign of any type, or is listed in the telephone directory as a business, or has obtained a city business license.

(4) “Garbage” means all putrescible animal or vegetable waste resulting from handling, preparation, cooking and consumption of food in any private residence, hotel, restaurant, building or institution.

(5) “Mixed refuse” means garbage and rubbish placed and stored together in standard refuse containers.

(6) “Person” means any institution, public or private corporation, individual, partnership or other entity. For classification purposes, each “person” shall be designated either residential or commercial. At those locations where a residence is combined with a business, the service shall be designated “commercial” if the business is conducted at the residence, and the service shall be designated “residential” if the business is conducted away from the residence.

(7) “Residential” means a building designed as or intended for or used as a residence for a single family or group of persons other than a single family using such building as a single housekeeping unit; providing the group does not exceed five in number.

(8) “Rubbish” means all cardboard, plastic, metal, glass, food containers, waste paper, rags, sweepings, small pieces of wood, excelsior, rubber, leather, lawn and garden clippings, tree and hedge trimmings, and similar waste materials that ordinarily are produced and accumulate around a home, business, or industry. It shall not include bulk refuse, dead animals, or parts of dead animals, hazardous materials, industrial waste, or building waste resulting from construction or alteration.

(9) “Swill” means that particular garbage which is wholly or nearly edible and salable as food and having food value for animals or fowl, accumulating from animal, vegetable or other waste material from clubs, hospitals, hotels, restaurants and other public eating places. [Ord. 1170 § 1, 1993; Ord. 1100 § 2, 1990. Code 1966 § 7.06.030.]

14.18.040 Universal collection service.

(1) Each person within the city shall accept garbage and rubbish disposal service as provided by the city, and the failure of such person to receive such service shall not exempt that person from the payment of charges established for that service.

(2) It is unlawful for any person other than authorized agents or employees of the city to collect, remove or dispose of garbage in the city; provided, however, that nothing contained in this chapter shall prevent the use of garbage disposal devices as provided in the city plumbing code and CMC 14.18.120; provided, also, that nothing contained in this chapter shall prevent private, commercial haulers from handling or disposing of waste, rubbish, or other matter not otherwise disposed of by the city’s sanitation service. [Ord. 1100 § 2, 1990. Code 1966 § 7.06.040.]

14.18.045 Tube compactor/open top bin disposal.

(1) Any person or entity desiring to dispose of garbage by using a tube compactor/open top bin shall purchase equipment that is compatible with the hoist rail system operated by the city. Preapproval of equipment shall be obtained prior to purchase.

(2) All tube compactor/open top bins shall be maintained in good and safe working order and shall be covered at all times. [Ord. 1389 § 1, 2005; Ord. 1285 § 1, 1998; Ord. 1238 § 1, 1996. Code 1966 § 7.06.045.]

14.18.050 Lien on property.

All delinquent and unpaid charges for sanitation services shall be a lien against the premises to which the same are furnished as provided for in the laws of the state in RCW 35A.21.060. [Ord. 1100 § 2, 1990. Code 1966 § 7.06.050.]

14.18.060 Rates.

(1) The city council shall establish, by ordinance, rates for sanitation service as provided in RCW 35.92.020.

(2) The following rates are hereby established, effective January 1, 2024:

(a) The following charges shall apply to properties using city-provided garbage carts and serviced one time per week. These carts are numbered and owned by the city. Carts will be assigned to the property address by that number. The following rates shall also permit the pickup of yard waste (grass clippings, vegetation, and leaves) that is placed in a city-provided 96-gallon mobile cart. The 96-gallon yard waste container is numbered and owned by the city and will be assigned to the property address by that number. The property owner shall be responsible for damages to the cart (either yard waste or solid waste) caused by misuse or neglect. Multi-unit residential properties larger than a four-plex, commercial properties with the exception of churches (and only upon written request to the city), and persons providing lawn care service for a fee, as evidenced by a city business license, are not subject to the city’s yard waste program.

Classification

35 Gal Container

64 Gal Container

96 Gal Container

Each additional Yard Waste Container

Residential

$24.19

$31.11

$37.75

$9.61

Multiresidential, per unit

$24.19

$31.11

$37.75

$9.61

Commercial

$26.54

$35.75

$45.14

N/A

Churches w/yard waste

$29.07

$38.21

$47.60

$9.41

Extra can/garbage

$9.61

$17.00

$26.67

 

(b) Dumpster Charges. All accounts using bins of one cubic yard or greater shall be charged according to the following schedule:

Effective January 1, 2024 rates up to 2CY include a city-provided dumpster.

SANITATION RATES-DUMPSTERS

 

CHARGE

2X/WK

3X/WK

4X/WK

5X/WK

6X/WK

EXTRA P.U.

1 CY

$51.93

$103.86

$155.79

$207.72

$259.65

$311.58

$11.95

1.5 CY

$77.89

$155.78

$233.67

$311.56

$389.45

$467.34

$17.93

2 CY

$103.86

$207.72

$311.58

$415.44

$519.30

$623.16

$23.91

3 CY

$155.79

$311.58

$467.37

$623.16

$778.95

$934.74

$35.86

4 CY

$207.71

$415.42

$623.13

$830.84

$1,038.55

$1,246.26

$47.82

5 CY

$259.64

$519.28

$778.92

$1,038.56

$1,298.20

$1,557.84

$59.77

6 CY

$311.57

$623.14

$934.71

$1,246.28

$1,557.85

$1,869.42

$71.73

10 CY

$519.28

$1,038.56

$1,557.84

$2,077.12

$2,596.40

$3,115.68

$119.54

(3) Standby Charges.

(a) Owners or managers of residential and commercial properties may apply to the city for suspension of service prior to the time the premises become unoccupied. Application shall be made on forms provided by the city. Upon approval, the sanitation service shall be suspended and the regular charge for the service shall be suspended and replaced with a service/standby charge until the premises are reoccupied.

(b) No credit for suspension of service shall be given unless the premises remain unoccupied for 90 consecutive days.

(c) Service/standby charges shall take effect the month following the date the property owner/manager makes application to the city, provided the property has been vacant for 30 consecutive days.

(d) Upon reoccupancy, the regular charge shall be reestablished. The owner shall notify the city of the reoccupancy.

(e) Service/standby charges for qualifying properties under this section shall be $5.00 per month for residential and commercial properties.

(f) A fee of $15.00 shall be charged to reactivate the suspended service on standby.

(4) Nonresident Charges. All accounts located outside Clarkston’s city limits shall be charged at a rate of 50 percent greater than charges for identical service within the city limits.

(5) Fees for Transporting Roll-off Containers. The charges for pickup and dumping of commercial roll-off units shall be:

Classification

Charges

Compaction units

$180.00 per trip

Demolition units

$180.00 per trip

Rent for roll-off

$35.00 per week

Rent for containers up to 5 CY

$25.00 per month

Tipping fees

Actual based on weight tickets

Delivery fee for roll-off

$30.00

(6) No later than November of each year the city council shall review the rates for all classifications of service and adjust the rates as necessary to ensure that operating expenses of the utility are met. Rate changes shall be set by ordinance and become effective on January 1st of each year. [Ord. 1700 § 1, 2023; Ord. 1671 § 1, 2022; Ord. 1657 § 1, 2021; Ord. 1643 § 1, 2020; Ord. 1634 § 1, 2019; Ord. 1611 § 1, 2018; Ord. 1577 § 1, 2016; Ord. 1553 § 1, 2015; Ord. 1534 § 1, 2014; Ord. 1518 § 1, 2013; Ord. 1508 § 1, 2012; Ord. 1494 § 1, 2011; Ord. 1479 § 1, 2010; Ord. 1447 § 1, 2008; Ord. 1428 § 1, 2007; Ord. 1417 § 1, 2007; Ord. 1389 § 1, 2005; Ord. 1100 § 2, 1990. Code 1966 § 7.06.060.]

14.18.070 Billing, due date and late charges.

(1) A charge for sanitation services shall be imposed by the city council for the services performed by the sanitation division.

(2) Billings shall be monthly for each mailing address and shall be mailed prior to the fifth working day of the month in which service is provided.

(3) Accounts shall be considered delinquent on the first day of the month following service. A late fee in the amount of $10.00 shall be imposed 45 days from the billing date for each outstanding account with a balance of $20.00 or more. Sanitation is billed on a combined statement with sewer. The late fee applies to the combined balance. [Ord. 1389 § 1, 2005; Ord. 1100 § 2, 1990. Code 1966 § 7.06.070.]

14.18.080 Special pickup service.

(1) Charges for special pickup service shall be added to the regular monthly account for sanitation services. “Special pickup service” shall include, but not be limited to, sanitation services provided at the specific request of any business or individual and sanitation services provided by the city to landlords for the purpose of disposing of personal property placed in a public way in the city pursuant to an unlawful detainer action, whether such landlord requests such services or not. Where no regulated account exists, the individual, business or landlord receiving such special services shall be billed within 30 days.

(2) For overflow, extra cans or a customer’s request, the fee will be a minimum of the “extra can” charge for that account’s classification or will be based on estimated yardage.

(3) A callback fee of $10.00 may be assessed when a return call for pickup is requested by the customer. [Ord. 1389 § 1, 2005; Ord. 1219 § 1, 1996; Ord. 1100 § 2, 1990. Code 1966 § 7.06.080.]

14.18.090 Suspension of service.

(1) Owners or managers of residential or commercial properties may apply to the city for suspension of service prior to the time the premises become unoccupied. Upon approval, the sanitation service shall be suspended and the regular charge for the service shall be suspended and replaced with a service/standby charge until the premises are reoccupied. When a property is reported as vacant, any city-owned property, i.e., carts and yard waste containers, will be returned to the city until such time as the property is reoccupied.

(2) Upon reoccupancy, the appropriate can charge shall be reestablished. The owner shall notify the city of reoccupancy.

(3) No credit for suspension of service shall be given unless the premises remain unoccupied for 16 consecutive days in any calendar month. [Ord. 1577 § 1, 2016; Ord. 1100 § 2, 1990. Code 1966 § 7.06.090.]

14.18.100 Containers.

(1) For residential and small commercial accounts, city-provided containers will be used for regular garbage collection and for yard waste collection.

(2) For large commercial or industrial accounts, containers shall be steel dumping containers of one-yard to six-yard capacity or tube compactors or roll-off bins as allowed in CMC 14.18.045 and shall be compatible with the disposal equipment used for collection in accordance with regulations established and published by the city sanitation department. Use and placement of dumpsters must be approved in writing by the city. Customers utilizing dumpsters for sanitation services must provide a hard surface that is level with the roadway on which the dumpster is placed. All dumpsters must be readily accessible by the sanitation crew and maintained in good working order. Commercial dumpsters not maintained will not be serviced until repaired.

(3) Residential garbage containers are available in three sizes. The customer may choose the appropriate size. However, frequent (more than three consecutive months) of “extra garbage” charges as determined by the sanitation department will result in a city cart exchange to the next larger cart size. The larger cart will remain for a minimum of 90 days. One free cart size exchange is allowed per year per sanitation customer. Additional cart exchanges will be billed at $15.00 per request. A cart size exchange is allowed not more than once every 90 days.

(a) No containers shall be kept or stored within the confines of any street or public alley in the residential district. The containers shall be kept on private property without interfering with the reasonable enjoyment of such private property or adjoining property; providing, the containers shall be placed on the street, at the curb for collection only on the day that refuse is normally collected. Containers should be removed from the street by end of collection day. [Ord. 1577 § 1, 2016; Ord. 1389 § 1, 2005; Ord. 1284 § 1, 1998; Ord. 1100 § 2, 1990. Code 1966 § 7.06.100.]

14.18.110 Dead dogs, cats and other animals.

Dead dogs and cats and other animals upon the public ways will be collected and disposed of upon call to City Hall at no extra charge. Dead animals in excess of 100 pounds shall be hauled off by the owner thereof. Dead animals shall not be placed in garbage or rubbish containers. Condemned animals or parts of animals from slaughterhouses or similar places, regardless of size, are regarded as industrial refuse and will not be collected by the city. [Ord. 1100 § 2, 1990. Code 1966 § 7.06.110.]

14.18.120 General conditions.

(1) It is unlawful to bury refuse in any place in the city, other than such areas as are defined by the Washington State Department of Ecology as sanitary landfill sites.

(2) All garbage, including swill, shall be drained of liquids and bagged before being deposited in the container. The city may refuse to collect undrained garbage of a liquid or semiliquid state, unbagged and improperly placed. The owner or person in charge of the place where refuse containers are located shall maintain the place in a clean and sanitary condition. The containers should be placed on a platform and/or secured so as to render the same inaccessible to animals.

(3) Materials easily dispersed by the movement of air (such as Styrofoam “peanuts,” cat litter, pull tabs, etc.) shall be bagged or otherwise restrained before being placed in a container.

(4) Grease and cooking oil are not to be placed, deposited or poured into containers. Persons generating such material shall cause same to be delivered to rendering facilities or approved recycling centers.

(5) No rocks or dirt are to be placed in refuse containers. No manure, animal droppings or human excrement are to be placed in containers, but such are to be placed in separate containers and hauled to the disposal area at the owner’s own expense. [Ord. 1657 § 2, 2021; Ord. 1100 § 2, 1990. Code 1966 § 7.06.120.]

14.18.130 Violations deemed civil infractions – Penalties – Forfeitures.

Any person or entity which violates the provisions of this chapter shall be deemed to have committed a civil infraction and for each violation shall be fined not to exceed the sum of $500.00. In lieu of a court appearance, any person charged with having committed a civil infraction prohibited by the provisions set forth in this section may forfeit to the Asotin County district court a penalty in the sum of $50.00.

For a second infraction of the same provision occurring within a 12-month period, the amount of the penalty forfeiture shall increase to $100.00. For a third and subsequent infraction of the same provision within a 12-month period, the amount of the penalty provisions shall increase to $150.00. [Ord. 1100 § 2, 1990. Code 1966 § 7.06.130.]