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PREFACE
Chapter C HOME RULE CHARTER
Chapter 1 GENERAL PROVISIONS
Chapter 5 ADMINISTRATIVE CODE
Chapter 14 AUTHORITIES
Chapter 23 BOARDS, COMMISSIONS, COMMITTEES AND COUNCILS
Chapter 36 FIRE AND RESCUE SERVICES
Chapter 51 INITIATIVE AND REFERENDUM
Chapter 62 PENSIONS
Chapter 70 PERSONNEL
Chapter 77 POLICE DEPARTMENT
Chapter 91 SALARIES AND COMPENSATION
Chapter 120 ALARM SYSTEMS
Chapter 127 ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES
Chapter 141 ANIMALS
Chapter 166 CABLE TELEVISION
Chapter 173 COMMERCIAL LAUNDRY CODE
Chapter 180 CONSTRUCTION CODES
Chapter 185 CONVERSION THERAPY
Chapter 188 CURFEW
Chapter 201 ELECTRIC SERVICE
Chapter 212 FEES
Chapter 219 FIREARMS
Chapter 225 FIREWORKS
Chapter 231 FIRE INSURANCE PROCEEDS
Chapter 237 FIRE PREVENTION AND PROTECTION
Chapter 251 FOOD CODE
Chapter 272 GRAFFITI
Chapter 288 HEALTH AND SAFETY
Chapter 295 HISTORICAL AND CONSERVATION DISTRICTS
Chapter 302 HOUSE NUMBERING
Chapter 308 HOUSING
Chapter 317 INVASIVE PLANTS AND NOXIOUS WEEDS
Chapter 325 LAW ENFORCEMENT
Chapter 328 LEAD POISONING PREVENTION
Chapter 332 LIBRARY
Chapter 339 LICENSES AND PERMITS
Chapter 346 LITTER AND ADVERTISING MATERIAL
Chapter 353 LOITERING AND PANHANDLING
Chapter 364 MASSAGE THERAPISTS
Chapter 378 MUNICIPAL CLAIMS AND LIENS
Chapter 387 NOISE
Chapter 396 PARKS AND RECREATION
Chapter 403 PAWNBROKERS
Chapter 410 PEDDLING AND SOLICITING
Chapter 424 POLES
Chapter 431 PROPERTY SALES
Chapter 433 PUBLIC ART
Chapter 438 RAIN BARRELS
Chapter 442 RECORDS, PUBLIC ACCESS
Chapter 453 SALES
Chapter 460 SCRAP METAL DEALERS
Chapter 467 SEWERS AND SEWAGE DISPOSAL
Chapter 473 SEXUALLY ORIENTED BUSINESSES
Chapter 479 SIDEWALK CAFES
Chapter 485 SIGNS
Chapter 496 SOLID WASTE
Chapter 502 STORAGE FACILITIES
Chapter 505 STORMWATER MANAGEMENT
Chapter 508 STREETS AND SIDEWALKS
Chapter 515 SUBDIVISION AND LAND DEVELOPMENT
Chapter 521 SUSTAINABILITY
Chapter 536 TAMPERING WITH PUBLIC PROPERTY
Chapter 540 TATTOO AND PIERCING ESTABLISHMENTS
Chapter 543 TAX ABATEMENTS
Chapter 546 TAX AMNESTY PROGRAM
Chapter 549 TAXATION
Chapter 555 TREES
Chapter 564 VEHICLE NUISANCES, STORAGE OF
Chapter 570 VEHICLE REPAIR SHOPS
Chapter 576 VEHICLES AND TRAFFIC
Chapter 583 VENDING MACHINES
Chapter 600 ZONING
Chapter A610 ANNEXATION OF TERRITORY
Chapter A611 BOND ISSUES AND LOANS
Chapter A612 FRANCHISE AND SERVICES
Chapter A613 GOVERNMENTAL AND INTERGOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS
Chapter A614 PLAN APPROVAL
Chapter A615 PUBLIC PROPERTY
Chapter A616 SEWERS
Chapter A617 STREETS AND SIDEWALKS
Chapter A618 WATER
Chapter A619 ZONING; PRIOR ORDINANCES
Chapter DT DERIVATION TABLE
Chapter DL DISPOSITION LIST
Chapter 496
SOLID WASTE
Part 1
Dumpster and Trash Receptacle Placement
§ 496-101.   Definitions.
§ 496-102.   General.
§ 496-103.   Conditions of use.
§ 496-104.   Screening all dumpsters and trash receptacles permitted to be visible from the public right-of-way.
§ 496-105.   Existing dumpsters, carts and toters in the public right-of-way.
§ 496-106.   Permits, fees and fines.
§ 496-107.   Administration; violations and penalties.
§ 496-108.   Administrative appeals.
Part 2
Storage and Collection
§ 496-201.   Definitions.
§ 496-202.   Administration.
§ 496-203.   Municipal collection fee.
§ 496-204.   Mandatory recycling.
§ 496-205.   Mandatory solid waste and recycling requirements.
§ 496-206.   Municipal collection.
§ 496-207.   Non-interference with existing contracts.
§ 496-208.   Private collection.
§ 496-209.   Ownership of solid waste and recyclable materials.
§ 496-210.   Licensed haulers.
§ 496-211.   Collection vehicles.
§ 496-212.   Administration; violations and penalties.
[HISTORY: Adopted by the City Council of the City of Reading as indicated in part histories. Amendments noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Reading Downtown Improvement District Authority — See Ch. 14, Part 5.
Property maintenance — See Ch. 180, Part 14.
Health code — See Ch. 288, Part 1.
Historic districts — See Ch. 295.
STATE LAW REFERENCES
Solid Waste Management Act — See Ch. 35 P.S. § 6018.101 et seq.
Part 1
Dumpster and Trash Receptacle Placement
[Adopted 7-13-2005 By Ord. No. 38-2005; Amended In Its Entirety 5-14-2007 By Ord. No. 23-2007; Amended In Its Entirety 12-13-2021 by Ord. 87-2021 (Ch. 20, Part 2, Of The 2001 Code Of Ordinances)]
§ 496-101. Definitions.
[Amended 7-25-2016 by Ord. No. 26-2016]
The following words and phrases, when used in this Part, shall have, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the meanings given to them in this section:
BUSINESS DAY — That part of any day on which City Hall is open to the public for carrying on substantially all of its functions.
CART/TOTER — Any container which is made of rigid plastic, with two wheels, which is intended to be mechanically emptied and used for the purpose of temporarily holding refuse with a maximum capacity of ½ cubic yard or 96 gallons.
COMMERCIAL PROPERTY — A property relating to or connected with trade and traffic or commerce in general or a property which includes four or more separate residential dwelling units.
CURBLINE — The line in the public right-of-way, constructed or proposed, as shown on the Official Map, that separates the portion of the public right-of-way dedicated to vehicular traffic from that dedicated to pedestrian traffic.
DUMPSTER/ROLL-OFFS — Any container with a lid used for the purpose of storing refuse until the scheduled collection day with a capacity of one cubic yard (202 gallons) or greater. Container's lid needs to be closed at all times except when placing refuse into container or container contents are being placed into a disposal collection vehicle.
HAULER — Any person or company with a valid state hauler's license, who collects, transports or disposes of recyclables, solid waste or refuse.
LICENSED HAULER — One with a valid state hauler's license to own and service dumpsters who rents dumpsters or toters to another. [Amended 8-26-2013 by Ord. No. 35-2013]
LESSEE — A property owner or agent thereof who leases a dumpster or toter from a licensed hauler as defined herein.
OBSTRUCTION — Any structure or other object whatsoever that, in any manner, impedes, obstructs or otherwise limits or prevents that full and unrestricted use whatsoever, by the public, of any public right-of-way.
OFFICIAL MAP — The topographical map of Reading, Pennsylvania, on file in the Engineering Office.
PASSABLE — Free of any impediment or obstruction, whatsoever, that would hinder the travel of the public.
PERMANENT DUMPSTER — Any dumpster (of three cubic yards or less) intended to be used for an undetermined period of time for the purpose of solid waste storage.
PERSON — Any individual, partnership, corporation, association, institution, cooperative enterprise, municipal authority, federal government or agency, state institution or agency, or any other legal entity whatsoever.
PRIVATE PROPERTY — Any land and the improvements thereon owned by any person and includes front, side and rear yards; vacant lots, buildings and other structural improvement; walkways and alleyways; and parking areas, designed or used either wholly or in part for private residential, industrial or commercial purposes, whether inhabited or temporarily or continuously uninhabited or vacant, including any yard, grounds, walk, driveway, porch, steps, vestibule or mailbox belonging or appurtenant to such dwelling, house, building or other structure.
PROPERTY OWNER/LESSEE — Any person who owns or leases a dumpster, toter or cart from a hauler with a valid State license as defined herein or who applies and receives a permit for permanent placement of a permanent trash receptacle in the public right-of-way.
PUBLIC RIGHT-OF-WAY (ROW) — See § 180-1202 Property Maintenance Rules & Regulations.
PUBLIC VIEW — Visible from the right-of-way.
RESIDENTIAL — A property containing six or fewer separate dwelling units.
SCREENING — Covering to obscure dumpsters, toters and/or carts (all trash receptacles) from public view by the installation of shrubbery, an opaque fence no higher than six (6) feet, unless a higher structure is required to adequately screen the dumpster, a shed or other such device as approved by the City of Reading Zoning Office. [Amended 6-26-2023 by Ord. No. 51-2023]
SIDEWALK — That portion of the sidewalk area for which paving is required by Chapter 508, Streets and Sidewalks, Part 5, Sidewalks and Curbs.
SIDEWALK AREA — That portion of the public right-of-way occurring between the curbline and the topographical building line or the established edge of the roadway. (For the purpose of this Part).
STREET PROPERTY LINE — The line that is coincident to and identical with the line marking the extremity of the public right-of-way as shown on the Official Map of the City of Reading.
TEMPORARY DUMPSTER — Any dumpster or roll-off dumpster intended to be used for a specified period of time for the purpose of construction, demolition or rehabilitation project waste storage.
TOPOGRAPHICAL BUILDING LINE — The property line as shown on the Official Map of the City of Reading.
TRASH BAG — Any trash bag more than one mil thick holding from 30 to 55 gallons and is properly tied.
TRASH CAN/DRUM — Any container under 95 gallons, but not less than 30 gallons, with a lid and in any other way differs from a cart.
TRASH RECEPTACLE — All containers used for the storage of trash.
VIOLATION TICKET — A form issued by a police officer or public officer to a person who violates a provision of this Part. The violation ticket is an offer by the City of Reading extended to a person to settle a violation by paying the fine in lieu of a citation being issued against the violator as per § 180-1202.
§ 496-102. General.
[Amended 6-13-2022 by Ord. No. 51-2022]
   A.   Dumpster, cart, toter, or trash receptacle lessees, owners, or permittees shall be responsible for keeping the area around the container clean and sanitary as required by herein, Health Code Regulations (Chapter 288, Part 1) and the Property Maintenance Code (Chapter 180, Part 14).
   B.   Permanent dumpster, cart, toter, or trash receptacles shall not be located in public right-of-way, or areas visible from public right-of-way, unless permitted by the Solid Waste Division. The property owner or lessee shall make application for permanent dumpsters in the Solid Waste Division. Permanent dumpsters, carts, toters or trash receptacles permitted to be placed on private property require a zoning permit and the submission of a site plan showing the location of dumpsters and the proposed screening, as per Zoning Ordinance § 600-916.
      (1)   Dumpsters of three cubic yards or greater may not be placed on sidewalk.
      (2)   Dumpsters of three cubic yards or less may not be placed in the street.
      (3)   All dumpsters, permanent and temporary shall maintain, on the outside of each dumpster in legible letters not less than three (3) inches in height, the owner's name or company logo, telephone number, and the dumpster permit issued by the Solid Waste Division for such container. All dumpsters shall be fitted with Department of Transportation regulated reflective tape in a vertically stripped fashion on each of the four corners from the top of the base (or bottom), extending around each corner by a minimum of two feet.
   C.   Temporary dumpsters for construction, demolition or rehabilitation projects shall be permitted by the Building/Trades Division. A temporary construction trailer permitted to be placed on private property requires a zoning permit as per Zoning Ordinance § 600-604-A and the submission of a site plan showing the location of dumpsters, as per Zoning Ordinance § 600-916.
   D.   Each property shall have no more than one toter or cart per unit to a maximum of three toters or carts per address no larger than 65 gallons each and stored per property within the public right-of-way or visible from the public right-or-way. All dumpsters, carts, toters, or trash receptacles permitted to be in the public right-of-way or visible from the public right-or-way shall be screened as per this section. Permanent dumpsters, carts, toters or trash receptacles permitted to be placed within the public right-of-way or visible from the public right-of-way require a zoning permit and submission of a site plan showing the location of dumpsters, along with the proposed screening, as per Zoning Ordinance § 600-916.
   E.   The fee schedules for temporary dumpsters and permanent dumpsters, carts and toters located in the public-right of way, or visible from public rights-of-way can be found in City Code § 212-138.
   F.   Emptying - All dumpsters, carts, toters, and trash receptacles are required to be emptied at least once a week. If they contain "non-grindable" food waste, they should be emptied every three days. [Additional collection(s) may be required by the City.].
   G.   Cleaning. Dumpsters should be kept clean, in good repair, and free of offensive odors. They should be cleaned a minimum of two times a year. (Additional cleaning may be required by the City.) Cleaning dumpsters on the street or sidewalk is not permitted and will constitute a violation.
   H.   Persons who do not comply with the Provisions of this Part may be fined or otherwise penalized in accordance with § 496-107 Administration; violations and penalties, herein, and may also have their Business Privilege License revoked. Dumpsters, carts, toters, and trash receptacles placed on the public right-of-way without a valid permit will be presumed to be abandoned and subject to removal.
§ 496-103. Conditions of use.
[Amended 6-13-2022 by Ord. No. 51-2022]
   A.   Placement and maintenance of trash receptacles.
      (1)   (a)   Trash receptacles (carts, toters and trash bins) shall be located in the rear of properties and may not be visible from the public right-of-way. No permit is required for these receptacles.
         (b)   Permanent dumpsters on private property outside public view require a zoning permit, and the submission of a site plan showing the location of the dumpster, as per Zoning Ordinance § 600-916. A copy of the zoning permit shall be sent to the Solid Waste Division.
      (2)   Trash receptacles shall not be stored within the public right-of-way on commercial, industrial property, or residential property unless it has been determined by the Property Maintenance Division and Department of Public Works that no other location is available for trash storage. Permits for receptacle located within the public right-of-way shall be issued by the Solid Waste Division. The permit shall be placed on the receptacle. All receptacles (dumpsters, carts, toters, or trash receptacles) permitted to be in the public right of way shall be screened as per this section.
      (3)   Permanent dumpsters, toters carts and receptacles stored within the public right-of-way also require a zoning permit and the submission of a site plan showing the location of dumpsters, along with the proposed screening as per Zoning Ordinance § 600-916.
      (4)   Historic districts.
         (a)   No permanent trash receptacles shall be allowed on any public right-of-way or be allowed to be visible from any public right-of-way in any area designated as a historic district as per Chapter 295, Historic Districts. Where it is preclusive to place a trash receptacle out of view of the public right-of-way as a result of the design of the structure, the location of placement of the receptacle shall be determined and a permit issued the Solid Waste Division accordingly upon consultation with the Public Works Department, the Property Maintenance Division and Historic Preservation Officer. Issuance of a permit for placement of a container in a historic district within the view of the public right-of-way is subject to Chapter 295, Historic Districts, where appropriate.
         (b)   All dumpsters, carts, toters, or trash receptacles permitted to be in the public right of way shall be screened as per this section and approved by the Zoning Administrator as per Zoning Ordinance § 600-916 requiring a site plan showing the location of the receptacles. Issuance of a permit for placement of a trash receptacle and screening structures in a historic district with the view of the public right of way is subject to Chapter 295, Historic Districts, where appropriate.
      (5)   Commercial Core Zoning District.
         (a)   No permanent trash receptacles shall be installed in any public right-of-way or be visible from any public right-of-way within the Commercial Core Zoning District without review and approval by the Department of Public Works, Historic Preservation Specialist (subject to Chapter 295, Historic Districts, where appropriate) and the Property Maintenance Division and a permit issued by the Solid Waste Division. The permit shall be placed upon the receptacle. Issuance of a permit for placement of a container in a historic district with the view of the public right-of-way is subject to Chapter 295, Historic Districts, where appropriate.
         (b)   All dumpsters, carts, toters, or trash receptacles permitted to be in the public right-of- way shall be screened as per this section and approved by the Zoning Administrator as per Zoning Ordinance § 600-916 requiring a site plan showing the location of the receptacles. Issuance of a permit for placement of a trash receptacle and screening structures in a historic district with the view of the public right of way is subject to Chapter 295, Historic Districts, where appropriate.
   B.   Identification. The owner of the trash receptacles shall place and maintain, on the outside of each receptacle in legible letters not less than one inch in height, the owner's name, address receptacle is servicing (if private) the permit issued by the Solid Waste Division for such receptacle, where applicable.
   C.   Maintenance. Each trash receptacle shall be covered at all times by a clean, leak-proof, proper fitting and functioning lid. All trash receptacles shall not be loaded at any time in such a manner to constitute overloading thereby preventing suitable required covering.
   D.   Clearance requirements. Permitted trash receptacles shall not obstruct or otherwise limit or prevent the full and unrestricted use of any public right-of-way. Minimum sidewalk clearances of five feet must be retained at all times.
   E.   Set-out requirements. Trash receptacles may be placed temporarily at curbside directly in front of the property being serviced no earlier than 5:00 p.m. the day before and shall be removed from the public right-of-way by 8:00 p.m. the day of scheduled refuse collection. [Amended 12-9-2013 by Ord. No. 70-2013]
   F.   Dumpsters. [Amended 9-12-2011 by Ord. No. 40A-2011; 5-14-2012 by Ord. No. 53-2012]
      (1)   Temporary dumpsters. Temporary dumpsters, incidental to construction, rehabilitation or demolition work, may be placed within the public right-of-way, or on private property, for a maximum of 10 days after receipt of the necessary permit by the Building Trades Division. The permit shall be displayed in the window of the property or posted on the dumpster so that it is easily recognizable from the public right-of-way. It shall be the responsibility of the state licensed trash hauler to obtain and display required permits. The property owner or lessee shall also ensure that all temporary dumpsters containing refuse, whether placed on private property or within a public right-of-way, are covered with a suitable cover or tarpaulin during: periods of nonuse; night hours (6:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m.); and high-wind conditions in order to prevent unauthorized use and/or scattering of any contents therein. It shall be the responsibility of the state licensed hauler to cover the dumpster during transport. The City shall have the right to impound any unpermitted dumpster at the cost of the property owner and/or the state licensed hauler as per § 496-102E. and 107 herein.
§ 496-104. Screening all dumpsters and trash receptacles permitted to be visible from the public right-of-way.
Screening of all dumpsters and trash receptacles shall be required for the purpose of improving the aesthetic and functional quality of every City neighborhood. This part shall apply to all permitted permanent dumpsters, carts, toters and trash receptacles located within public view, new and existing, including temporary dumpsters.
   A.   Screening area requirements: all screening areas for dumpsters and receptacles permitted to be in the public right of way shall be approved by the Public Works Department and Zoning Administrator (or Planning Commission, where required by this part) on a form approved by the Zoning Administrator and the Public Works Director according to a submitted site plan as regulated by the applicable requirements of this section and the Zoning Ordinance. Screening areas shall be designed, provided, and maintained according to the following:
      (1)   Screening materials shall be made of durable materials made to endure severe weather conditions.
      (2)   Screening materials shall be structurally sound and may include but are not limited to the following:
         (a)   Vinyl, painted wood, cedar, fencing (excluding chain link fences for permanent dumpsters and receptacles - chain link style fences may be used for temporary dumpsters.
         (b)   Industrial/commercial grade plastic or composite fiber mesh materials (plastic tarps are not permitted).
         (c)   Live vegetation that provides full screening but that does not exceed four (4) feet. Such vegetation must be regularly maintained by the property owner.
         (d)   Permanent masonry walls made from material that is similar in appearance to the main structure as approved by the Building/Trade Division when applicable and the Historical Architectural Review Board when the property is located within a historic district.
      (3)   The screening shall be no higher than six (6) feet, unless a higher structure is required to adequately screen the dumpster and any screening structures shall have an opening with a self-latching gate that will allow the regular emptying of the dumpster, cart or toter. [Amended 6-26-2023 by Ord. No. 51- 2023]
      (4)   Any gate(s) shall remain closed except when being serviced.
      (5)   Any screening structure(s) shall be well maintained, remain operable and in good repair.
   B.   Site plans for Screening - this section shall supersede Zoning Ordinance 600-1303A.
      (1)   May be hand drawn to scale or electronically generated consisting of the dimensions, representation of the structure.
      (2)   Shall show the location of the structure that:
         (a)   Provides five (5) feet of open, clear space between the structure and the curb.
         (b)   Is at least six (6) feet from the property line.
         (c)   The Zoning Administrator and Public Works Director shall approve the location of all structures in writing prior to the installation of the structure.
         (d)   The Public Works Director shall be provided with the discretion to authorize plans that fall outside the scope of this section if no other option is available to the property owner or lessee.
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