For the purpose of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
ASHES. Residue from legally burning wood, coal or other combustible material in and around a residential unit.
BAGS. Plastic and paper sacks designed to store refuse, with sufficient wall strength to maintain physical integrity when lifted by the top, and with the opening closed by a tie or other seal. Total weight of a BAG and its contents shall not exceed 50 pounds.
BRUSH. Tree trimmings, weeds, large hedge trimmings and trees cut in lengths not to exceed eight feet.
BULKY WASTE. Residentially generated appliances, furniture and other bulky items, including, but not limited to, stoves, refrigerators, hot water heaters, air conditioners, mattresses, washing machines, furniture and other materials other than construction debris, dead animals, hazardous waste or stable matter. Weights or volumes may exceed the maximums allowed for containers. The waste must be manageable by two workers and capable of being placed in a compactor truck without size reduction by the collection crew.
BUNDLE. Construction debris and/or rubbish securely tied together forming an easily handled package not exceeding four feet in length, and not more than two feet in diameter, and weighing not more than 50 pounds. It may contain incidental amounts of brush and tree trimmings.
COMMERCIAL REFUSE. All bulky waste, garbage, rubbish or stable matter generated by a producer at a commercial unit.
COMMERCIAL UNIT. All premises, locations, properties or entities, whether public or private, but not a residential unit or industrial unit, within the corporate limits of the city.
CONSTRUCTION DEBRIS. Waste building materials resulting from residential construction, remodeling, repair or demolition operations.
CONTAINER, RESIDENTIAL. Standard trash cans with a maximum capacity of 33 gallons. Cans may be constructed of plastic, metal or fiberglass and shall have handles of adequate strength for lifting. The mouth of the container shall have a diameter greater than or equal to that of the base. Cardboard boxes, plastic bags or paper bags which are adequate for the purpose for which they are used are acceptable, as determined by the Director, provided they are disposable. No single RESIDENTIAL CONTAINER, when loaded, shall exceed 50 pounds in weight.
CONTRACTOR. The person performing refuse collection and disposal under contract with the city.
CUSTOMER. Such persons, or the owner, manager or lessee of the premises, receiving the service.
DEAD ANIMALS. Animals or portions thereof equal to or greater than ten pounds in weight that have expired from any cause, except those slaughtered or killed for human use.
DELIVER. To place, throw, put, deposit or take any action that results in an item being moved to a certain place.
DIRECTOR. The city official whose responsibility is the overall direction of the waste services division.
DISPOSAL SITE. A managed area of land upon which solid waste is disposed of in accordance with standards, rules or orders established by the local board of health, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality or the United States Environmental Protection Agency.
GARBAGE. Putrescible animal and vegetable wastes resulting from handling, preparation, cooking or consumption of food.
HAZARDOUS WASTE. Waste, in any amount, which is defined, characterized or designated as hazardous by the United States Environmental Protection Agency or appropriate state agency by or pursuant to federal or state law. The term HAZARDOUS WASTE shall also include used motor oil, gasoline, oil-based paint or paint cans and creosote-treated wood.
INFECTIOUS WASTE. Waste material containing pathogens or biologically active materials which, because of its type, concentration and quality, is capable of transmitting disease to persons exposed to the waste materials.
LITTER. The delivery of or causing the delivery of any material on any public or private property under any of the following conditions:
(1) Where such material is delivered to premises where a “no unsolicited material” marking is posted within two feet of the front door of the premises; or
(2) Where the occupant of the premises has previously notified, in writing, the publisher or deliver of the material that such materials are not to be delivered to the premises.
MATERIAL. Any newspaper, advertising, circular, advertising material, paper, brochure or product.
NON-COMMERCIAL PRIVATE HAULER. Those persons who haul refuse for themselves and are not collecting a fee from someone else for such services.
PARK. A park, playground, beach, recreation center or any other public area in the city, owned or used by the city and devoted to active or passive recreation.
PREMISES. Land and premises, or an estate including land and buildings thereon, contiguous and under one ownership.
PRIVATE PREMISES. Any dwelling, house, building or other structure designed or used, in whole or part, for private residential purposes, whether inhabited temporarily or continuously inhabited, and shall include any yard, grounds, walk, driveway, porch, steps, vestibule or mailbox belonging or appurtenant to such dwelling, house, building or other structure.
PRODUCER. An occupant of a commercial or industrial or residential unit who generates solid waste.
PUBLIC PLACE. Any and all streets, sidewalks, boulevards, alleys or other public ways, and any and all public parks, squares, spaces, grounds, parking facilities, buildings or other areas regularly frequented or dedicated for use by members of the public.
PUBLIC PROPERTY. Any and all property owned by the city, the state, the United States of America, or any subdivision thereof, whether located within or outside the corporate limits of the city.
RECYCLING DROPOFF CENTER. A location, either temporary or permanent, within the city established for the receipt of recyclable solid waste, including, but not limited to, newspaper, glass, motor oil, automobile oil filters, automobile and truck tires and aluminum cans. Because of market demands, the Director of Sanitation shall from time to time determine the type and/or amount of recyclable waste accepted at the recycle center.
REFUSE. All putrescible and non-putrescible solid wastes, including garbage, rubbish and ashes.
RESIDENTIAL REFUSE. All refuse generated by a producer at a residential unit.
RESIDENTIAL UNIT. A building or rooms fitted or used, in whole or in part, for human sleeping accommodations, including, but not limited to, (except as otherwise expressly provided for in this chapter) residential houses, garage apartments, duplexes and triplex and quadraplex apartments, encompassing households and household activity. A multi-family dwelling, whether of single-level or multi-level construction, consisting of four or less contiguous or separate single-family dwelling units shall be treated as a RESIDENTIAL UNIT, except that each single-family dwelling within any such residential unit shall be billed separately as a RESIDENTIAL UNIT.
RUBBISH. Non-putrescible solid waste such as waste wood products, paper, wire, glass, scraps of metal and other like waste products of normal household activity generated in a residential unit.
STABLE MATTER. All manure and other waste matter normally accumulated in or about a stable or any other animal, livestock or poultry enclosure, and resulting from the keeping of animals, poultry or livestock.
TOXIC WASTE. Any solid waste identified or listed as hazardous waste by the administrator of the federal Environmental Protection Agency pursuant to the federal Solid Waste Disposal Act, as amended by the Resource Conservation Recovery Act, 42 U.S.C. §§ 6901 et seq., as amended from time to time.
TRASH. See RUBBISH.
WHITE GOODS. See BULKY WASTE.
YARD WASTE. Grass, leaves, small branches, shrubbery, flowers and other plant life, either dry or green, not contaminated with paper or garbage.
(1998 Code, § 102-2) (Ord. 93-75, passed 1-19-1994; Ord. 98-2, passed 2-4-1998)