Other than as hereinabove set forth, it is unlawful for any person to dump or otherwise dispose of or to store or accumulate any solid waste on any private property in the city, except that the storage of leaves, grass clippings and the like may be permitted for the purpose of composting. The following rules and regulations are prescribed as health and safety precautions for composting, and violation of any such rules or regulations shall be deemed to constitute a misdemeanor.
(A) Location. Composting shall be located in rear or side yards of improved lots only, and shall not be located in any street, alley, parkway or other place, or in or upon any private unimproved lot, unless such lot adjoins the improved property of the owner thereof.
(B) Contents. Composting shall consist only of organic waste materials such as leaves, small twigs, grass clippings and other vegetable matter except garbage.
(C) Receptacles. Composting shall be contained and maintained in either:
(1) A pit, hole or other earth depression excavated for such purpose; in which case the contents shall always be maintained below natural surrounding ground level;
(2) Shall be maintained in metal or wood containers not in excess of three feet in height. Such receptacles or pits shall not be maintained within five feet of any property line or structure. Composting may also be maintained in open stacks or piles not in excess of three feet in height but only in the event such stacks or piles are maintained not less than fifty (50) feet from any property line or structure.
(D) Covering and maintenance. Composting must at all times be covered with at least one-half inch of soil, or other non-organic or chemical covering, first approved by the Health Officer, designed to prevent the harboring of rodents, the breeding of flies and the emission of odors. All composting must be kept moist at all times until decomposition is completed.
(E) Miscellaneous rules. No hardwood branches, second season growth, or other twigs, limbs or branches in excess of one-fourth inch in diameter or two feet in length shall be permitted in any composting.
(Ord. 508-C.S., passed 11-7-00) Penalty, see § 50.999