(A) Definition. For the purpose of this section, COMPOSTING is a microbial process that converts plant materials to a usable organic soil amendment or mulch.
(B) Compost containers. Composting shall be conducted within a covered or uncovered container, enclosed on all vertical sides. Containers shall be of a durable material and shall be constructed and maintained in a structurally sound manner. Wood used in the construction of a compost container must be sound and free of rot.
(C) Size. The maximum size for a compost area on lots with a residential structure shall be 245 cubic feet for lots smaller than 5,000 square feet, 405 cubic feet on lots 5,000 to 10,000 square feet and 500 cubic feet on lots over 10,000 square feet. The maximum size on lots without a residential structure shall be 405 cubic feet on lots smaller than 5,000 square feet, 720 cubic feet on lots 5,000 to 10,000 square feet and 1,125 cubic feet on lots larger than 10,000 square feet.
(D) Location on property. The compost container(s) shall not be located closer than one foot from the rear property line and shall not be located in any required front or side yard as defined in the zoning code, nor closer than 20 feet to any habitable building off of the subject property.
(E) Compost materials. Compost piles shall include an appropriate mix of nitrogen-rich materials (or “greens”) and carbon-rich materials (or “browns”) to reduce odor and ensure adequate composting. Meat, bones, fat oils, grease, dairy products, diseased plant material in which the disease vector cannot be rendered harmless through the composting process, feces, plastics or synthetic fibers shall not be placed in the compost container(s).
(F) Maintenance. Compost materials shall be layered, aerated, moistened, turned and managed to promote effective decomposition of the materials in a safe, secure and sanitary manner. Compost materials shall be covered with a layer of material such as leaves, straw, wood chips or finished compost to reduce odor.
(G) Abatement. All compost containers and/or compost materials not in compliance with this section shall be declared a public nuisance and are subject to abatement as provided in § 90.25 of this chapter. In addition, the City Administrator may require individuals whose compost containers and/or materials are not in compliance with this section to attend a master composter or similar educational program as a condition of continuing to compost on a subject property.
(H) Composting site. The city is authorized to maintain a composting site on city-owned property for the purpose of complying with the provisions of state law that provides that no yard waste may be disposed of in landfills.
(2002 Code, § 6.02) (Ord. 148, Sixth Series, effective 6-8-2013) Penalty, see § 90.99