Chapter 8.20
LITTER, REFUSE, TRASH AND BURNING

Sections:

8.20.010    Regulation required.

8.20.020    Use of approved receptacles required.

8.20.030    Commercial establishments – Use of approved receptacles required.

8.20.040    Public trash receptacles required.

8.20.050    Sweeping of accumulated litter into public places prohibited.

8.20.060    Private property to remain free of litter.

8.20.070    Distributing handbills and printed material.

8.20.080    Materials escaping from moving vehicles prohibited.

8.20.090    Repealed.

8.20.100    Outdoor fires – Residential or public zones.

8.20.110    Burning of certain materials prohibited.

8.20.115    Burn ban.

8.20.120    Inspection of commercial buildings for compliance.

8.20.130    Enforcement authority.

8.20.140    Violation – Penalty.

8.20.150    Recycling.

8.20.010 Regulation required.

The town council of the town of Twisp, Washington, finds and ordains that it is necessary for the protection and welfare of the general public to regulate the discarding, placement or storage of litter, refuse or trash, and the burning of materials within the limits of the town of Twisp. (Ord. 520 § 1, 2002)

8.20.020 Use of approved receptacles required.

No person shall throw, drop, deposit, discard or otherwise dispose of litter, trash or refuse within the town, except in approved receptacles, and in such a manner as to prevent the same from being scattered, strewn or carried away by the elements. (Ord. 520 § 2, 2002)

8.20.030 Commercial establishments – Use of approved receptacles required.

Owners, operators or employees of commercial establishments shall not deposit or cause any depositing of litter, trash or refuse except in approved containers provided by, or arranged for by the owner, operator or employee of the establishment, and such materials shall be removed from the premises in a timely manner. (Ord. 520 § 3, 2002)

8.20.040 Public trash receptacles required.

Public trash receptacles shall be provided and maintained by the town in appropriate locations and shall be for casual use. Any use for commercial or household litter, trash or refuse, or for burning or hazardous materials shall be a violation of this chapter. (Ord. 520 § 4, 2002)

8.20.050 Sweeping of accumulated litter into public places prohibited.

No person shall sweep into or deposit in any gutter, street, alley or other public place, the accumulation of litter from any building or lot or from any public or private sidewalk. (Ord. 520 § 5, 2002)

8.20.060 Private property to remain free of litter.

The owner or the person in control of any private residence or other private property shall at all times maintain the premises free of litter. All litter, trash or refuse must be stored in covered, closed containers. (Ord. 520 § 6, 2002)

8.20.070 Distributing handbills and printed material.

No person shall throw or deposit or distribute any commercial or noncommercial handbill or printed material in any public place or upon private property without the consent of the property owner. The person or organization distributing any such handbill or printed material shall be responsible for any litter produced by them. Handbills or printed material shall not be placed upon vehicles or handed to vehicle occupants. (Ord. 520 § 7, 2002)

8.20.080 Materials escaping from moving vehicles prohibited.

No vehicle shall be moved or operated upon any public street or alley unless it is so constructed and loaded to prevent the escape of any material therefrom. (Ord. 520 § 8, 2002)

8.20.090 Outdoor fires – Debris disposal prohibited.

Repealed by Ord. 718. (Ord. 647 § 1(A), 2012; Ord. 520 § 9, 2002)

8.20.100 Outdoor fires – Residential or public zones.

In accordance to the Okanogan County commissioner’s annual burn ban resolution the Twisp town council agrees to allow the following:

(1) The use of gas or charcoal fired barbecues.

(2) Recreational fires. Recreational fires shall not be conducted within 25 feet of a structure or combustible material. Conditions which could cause a fire to spread within 25 feet of a structure or combustible material shall be eliminated prior to ignition. Recreational fires shall be no larger than three feet in diameter and shall not be associated with any debris, yard or garden clean-up.

(3) Open burning, camp fires, or recreational fires. These shall be constantly attended until the fire is completely extinguished. The attendant shall have some form of fire-extinguishing equipment such as a shovel and dirt, sand, class A fire extinguisher, water barrel, garden hose, or water truck sufficient to extinguish the fire and available for immediate use. (Ord. 667 § 1(A), 2013; Ord. 647 § 1(B), 2012; Ord. 520 § 10, 2002)

8.20.110 Burning of certain materials prohibited.

The following items are prohibited within the town of Twisp and are in accordance with the WAC 173-425-010 and the State Governor’s Executive Order RCW 70.94-700.

(1) Burn barrels are illegal.

(2) The burning of rubber products, plastics, asphalt, household garbage, dead animals, petroleum products, paints, cardboard, paper and any materials that emit dense smoke, create offensive odors, impact the health and safety of others or impact the general environment is prohibited. This includes inside burning in fireplaces or stoves.

(3) Burning debris after sunset is prohibited. (Ord. 520 § 11, 2002)

8.20.115 Burn ban.

The town will adhere to the burn ban dates as determined by the Okanogan County commissioners. (Ord. 667 § 1(B), 2013; Ord. 647 § 2(A), 2012)

8.20.120 Inspection of commercial buildings for compliance.

Town officials may at any time inspect any commercial building or commercial premises for compliance with this chapter. If any town official acting in good faith is refused admission to any commercial building or premises for the purpose of inspecting, the owner or person in charge of such premises shall be immediately cited for a violation of this ordinance and any permit issued to said premises pursuant to the provision of this chapter shall be forthwith suspended. (Ord. 520 § 12, 2002)

8.20.130 Enforcement authority.

Enforcement of this chapter may be by any law enforcement officer or designee of the town. (Ord. 647 § 1(C), 2012; Ord. 520 § 13, 2002)

8.20.140 Violation – Penalty.

Any violation of this chapter shall be a civil infraction for which a civil penalty of $100.00 shall be imposed. Each day a violation continues shall be a separate civil infraction and violation of this chapter. However, during an official burn ban, burning by any person in violation of the board of county commissioners’ resolution prohibiting outdoor burning shall constitute a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not more than $1,000 or by imprisonment for not more than 60 days, or by both such fine and imprisonment, in addition to reimbursement to the agency responsible for fire protection for any cost of extinguishing the burning debris. (Ord. 704 § 1, 2016; Ord. 520 § 15, 2002)

8.20.150 Recycling.

The public is encouraged to recycle glass, aluminum, plastic, cans and paper at the Twisp Recycle Center. (Ord. 520 § 16, 2002)