Title
Receive a presentation to review and discuss potential amendments to City Code provisions addressing the screening, visibility, and storage of residential rollout trash and recycling containers.
Body
REQUESTOR:
Mayor Terry Lynne
BACKGROUND:
At the November 4, 2025, City Council Study Session, staff presented findings and observations regarding the City’s rollout containers program. During that meeting, the City Council discussed the matter, provided feedback, and directed staff to revisit the topic within six months.
Discussion items from Council’s previous review included:
• Use of paper bags as an alternative to trash bins
• Recognition that HOA regulations may serve as the stricter applicable standard
• Challenges faced by elderly and disabled residents
• Complaints regarding containers being left out or otherwise out of compliance with regulations
• Regulations prohibiting the storage of trash bins on front porches
Rollout containers are regulated under Chapter 56, Article VI, “Outside Storage,” Sections 56-61, “Declared a Public Nuisance and Prohibited,” of the City Code of Ordinances. This section governs where rollout containers may be stored when not set out for collection. Concerns have been raised regarding the visibility of containers from residential streets and the potential need for screening requirements.
Article VI, Sections 56-61, identifies circumstances under which rollout containers are not considered a public nuisance. Containers are exempt from the nuisance designation when they are:
1. Stored with lids completely closed and not located between any portion of the residence and an adjacent public roadway; or
2. Placed at the curb for collection no earlier than 6:00 p.m. the day prior to collection and removed no later than 9:00 a.m. the day following collection; or
3. Placed at the curb for collection.
Based on these standards, permitted storage locations when containers are not out for collection include side yards and rear yards.
Staff have observed various storage practices throughout the community, which vary depending on subdivision design and whether homes have front or rear entry. Common container locations include:
• Between the residence and the street, often on driveways
• In side yards on paved or unpaved surfaces
• Between alleys and the back of residences, typically on driveways
• Between rear fences and alleys
• Inside backyards or garages
Staff review of five nearby municipalities yielded the following findings:
• Three of the municipalities prohibit the storage of rollout containers between the front of the residence and the street
• One of the municipalities requires screening of stored containers
• Four of the municipalities provide specific location criteria for containers serviced from alleys
DISCUSSION:
Staff is bringing this item forward to receive direction regarding potential amendments to the Code provisions governing the screening, visibility, and storage of residential rollout containers.
City staff will be available to answer any questions the Council may have.
DISTRICT:
Citywide
ATTACHMENT(S):
1. Excerpt of Article VI, Outside Storage, Sec. 56-6
2. Presentation