Chapter 106 – Collection of Solid Waste

106.01 COLLECTION SERVICE.

The City shall provide by contract for the collection of solid waste, except bulky rubbish as provided in Section 106.05, from residential premises only. The owners or operators of commercial, industrial or institutional premises shall provide for the collection of solid waste produced upon such premises.

106.02 COLLECTION VEHICLES.

Vehicles or containers used for the collection and transportation of garbage and similar putrescible waste or solid waste containing such materials shall be leakproof, durable and of easily cleanable construction. They shall be cleaned to prevent nuisances, pollution or insect breeding and shall be maintained in good repair.

(IAC, 567-104.9[455B])

106.03 LOADING.

Vehicles or containers used for the collection and transportation of any solid waste shall be loaded and moved in such a manner that the contents will not fall, leak, or spill therefrom, and shall be covered to prevent blowing or loss of material. Where spillage does occur, the material shall be picked up immediately by the collector or transporter and returned to the vehicle or container and the area properly cleaned.

106.04 FREQUENCY OF COLLECTION.

All solid waste shall be collected from residential premises at least once each week and from commercial, industrial and institutional premises as frequently as may be necessary, but not less than once each week.

106.05 BULKY RUBBISH.

Bulky rubbish which is too large or heavy to be collected in the normal manner of other solid waste may be collected by the collector upon request in accordance with procedures therefor established by the Council.

106.06 RIGHT OF ENTRY.

Solid waste collectors are hereby authorized to enter upon private property for the purpose of collecting solid waste therefrom as required by this chapter; however, solid waste collectors shall not enter dwelling units or other residential buildings.

106.07 CONTRACT REQUIREMENTS.

No person shall engage in the business of collecting, transporting, processing or disposing of solid waste from residential premises for the City without first entering into a contract with the City. This section does not prohibit an owner from transporting solid waste accumulating upon premises owned, occupied or used by such owner, provided such refuse is disposed of properly in an approved sanitary disposal project. Furthermore, a contract is not required for the removal, hauling, or disposal of earth and rock material from grading or excavation activities, provided that all such materials are conveyed in tight vehicles, trucks or receptacles so constructed and maintained that none of the material being transported is spilled upon any public right-of-way.

106.08 COLLECTOR’S LICENSE.

No person shall engage in the business of collecting, transporting, processing or disposing of solid waste other than waste produced by that person within the City without first obtaining from the City an annual license in accordance with the following:

  1. Application. Application for a solid waste collector’s license shall be made to the Clerk and provide the following:
    1. Name and Address. The full name and address of the applicant, and if a corporation, the names and addresses of the officers thereof.
    2. Equipment. A complete and accurate listing of the number and type of collection and transportation equipment to be used.
    3. Collection Program. A complete description of the frequency, routes and method of collection and transportation to be used.
    4. Disposal. A statement as to the precise location and method of disposal or processing facilities to be used.
  2. Insurance. No collector’s license shall be issued until and unless the applicant therefor, in addition to all other requirements set forth, shall file and maintain with the City evidence of satisfactory public liability insurance covering all operations of the applicant pertaining to such business and all equipment and vehicles to be operated in the conduct thereof in the following minimum amounts:

Bodily Injury:        – $100,000 per person.
Bodily Injury:        – $300,000 per occurrence.
Property Damage:      – $ 50,000.

Each insurance policy required hereunder shall include as a part thereof provisions requiring the insurance carrier to notify the City of the expiration, cancellation or other termination of coverage not less than ten (10) days prior to the effective date of such action.

  1. License Fee. A license fee in the amount of one hundred dollars ($100.00) shall accompany the application. In the event the requested license is not granted, the fee paid shall be refunded to the applicant.
  2. License Issued. If the Council upon investigation finds the application to be in order and determines that the applicant will collect, transport, process or dispose of solid waste without hazard to the public health or damage to the environment and in conformity with law and ordinance, the requested license shall be issued to be effective for a period of one year from the date approved.
  3. License Renewal. An annual license may be renewed simply upon payment of the required fee, provided the applicant agrees to continue to operate in substantially the same manner as provided in the original application and provided the applicant furnishes the Clerk with a current listing of vehicles, equipment and facilities in use.
  4. License Not Transferable. No license authorized by this chapter may be transferred to another person.
  5. Owner May Transport. Nothing herein is to be construed so as to prevent the owner from transporting solid waste accumulating upon premises owned, occupied or used by such owner, provided such refuse is disposed of properly in an approved sanitary disposal project.
  6. Grading or Excavation Excepted. No license or permit is required for the removal, hauling, or disposal of earth and rock material from grading or excavation activities; however, all such materials shall be conveyed in tight vehicles, trucks or receptacles so constructed and maintained that none of the material being transported spills upon any public right-of-way.

106.09 COLLECTION FEES.

The collection and disposal of solid waste as provided by this chapter are declared to be beneficial to the property served or eligible to be served and there shall be levied and collected fees therefor in accordance with the following:

(Goreham vs. Des Moines, 1970, 179 NW 2nd, 449)

Fee for Collection. The fee for solid waste collection and disposal service, used or available, for each residential premises and for each dwelling unit of a multiple-family dwelling shall be $14.00 per month.

(Ord. 652 – Jul. 10 Supp.)

Payment of Bills. All fees are due and payable under the same terms and conditions provided for payment of a combined service account as contained in Section 92.04 of this Code of Ordinances. Solid waste collection service may be discontinued in accordance with the provisions contained in Section 92.05 if the combined service account becomes delinquent, and the provisions contained in Section 92.08 relating to lien notices shall also apply in the event of a delinquent account.

106.10 LIEN FOR NONPAYMENT.

The owner of the premises served and any lessee or tenant thereof are jointly and severally liable for fees for solid waste collection and disposal. Fees remaining unpaid and delinquent shall constitute a lien upon the premises served and shall be certified by the Clerk to the County Treasurer for collection in the same manner as property taxes.

(Code of Iowa, Sec. 384.84)