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:
As part of the City’s ongoing commitment to enhancing neighborhood character, promoting community pride, and supporting high-quality development throughout Farmers Branch, Mayor Terry Lynne requested a review of regulations related to rollout trash bins and recycling container standards.
The City’s current regulations related to trash bins and outside storage can be found in Chapter 56, Section 56-61 of the City’s Code of Ordinances, which outlines the parameters below related to outside storage of trash and recycling:
• Must be stored with lids completely closed and not located between any portion of the residence and an adjacent public roadway; or
• Must be 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; and
• Must comply with all regulations outlined in Section 66, Article II “Collection and Disposal”, of the City’s Code of Ordinances.
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 provided direction to Staff for consideration:
• Requires no changes to existing regulations
• Review existing regulations for placement of bins from right of way
• Establish regulations prohibiting bins from being placed on front porches
• Does not support strict enforcement policies
Based upon Council feedback and staff analysis, staff determined critical factors to consider include lot size, subdivision regulations, garage and alley access and entry locations.
As part of our analysis, staff reviewed five nearby municipalities for comparison to Farmers Branch (Addison, Carrollton, Coppell, Lewisville and Plano):
• Three of the municipalities prohibited 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
To be in character with these neighboring municipalities, an ordinance update should reflect identifying specific locations for a container, prohibition of containers stored between the front of a residence and the public right of away and establishing screening requirements for side yard storage areas. The inclusion of these standards would align Famers Branch guidelines to neighboring cities.
DISCUSSION:
Staff is bringing this item forward to receive Council direction on potential amendments to the code provisions governing the screening, visibility, and storage of residential rollout containers. During the previous discussion, concerns were raised about residents leaving trash and recycling bins in public view and not complying with existing placement and storage requirements. Since January 2026, staff has received approximately 40 complaints related to bins being left out beyond the allowed timeframe or positioned in visible locations.
At the last meeting, staff discussed adding screening requirements to improve the appearance of rolling bins and trash cans. While such screening could enhance neighborhood aesthetics, requiring new screening walls may place an undue burden on homeowners, especially those without existing structures or the financial means to construct them. Additionally, some single-family homes may also lack the space or capacity to accommodate screening walls solely for trash bin storage.
Staff is seeking guidance on the following items:
• Should the code be amended to require visibility screening, such as placement behind front façades, fencing, or other concealment?
• Should the existing timeframe for bin placement and removal be extended, reduced, or otherwise updated?
• Should staff pursue alternative, less burdensome options to improve aesthetics, such as allowing hedgerows or landscaping to conceal bins along the front façade to conceal trash bins and rolling carts?
• Does Council wish to maintain the current ordinance?
Staff requests direction on whether to move forward with amendments requiring visibility
screening for trash bins and rolling carts, adjustments to placement or timeframe requirements, or
whether the current ordinance remains sufficient.
DISTRICT:
Citywide
ATTACHMENT(S):
1. Excerpt of Article VI, Outside Storage, Sec. 56-6
2. Presentation