Sec. 16-4. Residential collection.
   a.   Private receptacles for residential garbage collection shall meet the following requirements:
      1.   Durable plastic bags qualify as authorized garbage containers in accordance with this section, so long as they are not red or red-orange in color.
      2.   The container shall be a watertight receptacle of a solid and durable quality of metal or plastic, not to exceed thirty-two (32) gallons in capacity. If a larger receptacle is desired, customers may use a 96-gallon wheeled cart provided by the City of Tyler. (Ord. 0-2001-43, 9-5-2001)
      3.   The combined weight of the garbage and customer-supplied container shall not exceed fifty (50) pounds. The combined weight of the garbage and City-supplied container shall not exceed one hundred fifty (150) pounds.
      4.   Rigid containers shall be provided with suitable lifting handle(s) on the outside, and a close-fitting cover equipped with a handle.
      5.   The container shall not have any inside structures, such as inside bands and reinforcing angles, or anything within the container to prevent the free discharge of the contents. (Ord. 0-2007-111, 9/26/07)
   b.   Containers that have deteriorated, or that have been damaged to the extent of having jagged or sharp edges capable of causing injury to collectors or other persons whose duty is to handle the containers, or to such an extent that the covers will not fit securely, will be condemned by the Director, and if such containers are not replaced after notice to the owner or user of their defective condition, they can be confiscated.
   c.   Garbage. A customer shall provide a garbage container meeting the requirements of Section 16-4. The customer shall place, or cause to be placed, the garbage container in the location for collection approved by the Director. Packout service is offered to residents in all areas of the City. Containers other than packout shall be placed at the curb for collection no earlier than 6:00 p.m. on the day prior to scheduled service and shall be removed by 7:00 a.m. the morning following the collection day.
   An authorized City employee has the authority to take the following actions if the garbage container is left in or about the curb area at any time other than the above described times:
1.   1st occurrence within a 12 month period: the City employee will move the container to the Customer’s front door area and post a notice on the Customer’s container notifying the Customer of the violation of Tyler City Code Section 16-4c.
2.   2nd occurrence within a 12 month period: the City employee will move the container to the Customer’s front door area and post a notice on the container that notifies the Customer of the violation of Tyler City Code Section 16-4c and that a $2.00 dollar container return fee will be assessed on the Customer’s utility bill upon the next occurrence of a Section 16-4c violation requiring removal and return of Customer’s container.
3.   3rd occurrence within a 12 month period: the City employee will move the container to the Customer’s front door area and post a notice on the container that notifies the Customer: 1) of the violation of Tyler City Code Section 16-4c, 2) that a two dollar ($2.00) container return fee has been assessed on the Customer’s utility bill for the violation of Section 16-4c requiring removal and return of Customer’s container, and 3) that a twenty dollar ($20.00) container return fee will be assessed on the Customer’s utility bill upon the next occurrence of a Section 16-4c violation requiring removal and return of Customer’s container.
4.   4th and subsequent occurrences within a 12 month period: the City employee will move the container to the Customer’s front door area and post a notice on the container that notifies the Customer: 1) of the violation of Tyler City Code Section 16-4c, 2) that a twenty dollar ($20.00) container return fee has been assessed on the Customer’s utility bill for the violation of Section 16-4c requiring removal and return of Customer’s container, and 3) that a twenty dollar ($20.00) container return fee will be assessed on the Customer’s utility bill upon any subsequent occurrences of a Section 16-4c violation requiring removal and return of Customer’s container.
   All animal and pet waste that is subject to decomposition shall be well wrapped or bagged in waterproof paper or plastic adequate to avoid contact with or exposure to said material before being deposited in the container or receptacle. No garbage containers may be placed in an alley or other public way without authorization from the Director. Whenever garbage is collected from an alley, the container shall be placed entirely within the adjoining lot lines. Access from the alley or other public way must be provided to the garbage containers. (Ord. 0-2003-5, 1-22-03) (0-2009-15, 2/25/09)
   d.   Brush. All brush to be collected by the City shall be placed in the parkway behind the curbline at a location so that access to it is not obstructed by overhanging tree limbs, wires, or other obstacles which would interfere with mechanical collection. Brush collected on regular trash and brush collections shall be bundled into four (4) feet long bundles not exceeding twenty-four (24) inches in diameter secured by twine or string. Unbundled brush is collected by special request and shall be assessed a charge in accordance with the fee schedule in this Article. Unbundled trees and brush shall be cut into lengths of twelve (12) feet or shorter. Brush or yard waste shall not be placed in City-supplied containers. Packout service is for trash only. Packout customers must follow the requirements in this subsection d. for brush collection. (Ord. No. 0-2020-85; 9/9/20)
   e.   Trash. All trash to be collected shall be placed in the parkway behind the curbline. All loose trash shall be placed in either:
      1.   a garbage container;
      2.    a box of not more than two (2) feet in any dimension; or
      3.   a bag.
The combined weight of the trash and the container shall not exceed fifty (50) pounds.
   f.   Leaves. All leaves to be collected by the City shall be placed in the parkway behind the curb line at a location so that access to it is not obstructed by overhanging tree limbs, wires, or other obstacles which would interfere with mechanical collection. Leaves should be placed in bio-degradable bags in order to help with composition. Leaves shall not be placed in City-supplied containers. Twenty-five (25) or more bags should be called in for special pickup and shall be assessed a charge in accordance with the fee schedule in this Article. Packout service is for trash only. Packout customers must follow the requirements in this subsection f. for leaf bag collection. (Ord. No. 0-2020-85; 9/9/20)
   g.   Discarded Property. Any property put out at curb line, such as furniture, clothing, and appliances, requires notification to the Solid Waste office for special pickup and shall be assessed a charge in accordance with the fee schedule in this Article. If no call has been made to the Solid Waste department, a written warning shall be given by tagging the property and leaving a door hanger at the residence. If property is out more than two (2) days and the property owner has not made any contact, a special pickup will be made and an automatic charge, in accordance with the fee schedule in this Article, shall be made. If this property is left and the property owner cannot be determined, Code Enforcement will be contacted to handle the discarded property.
   h.   Recycling Collection. All recycling must be in the recycle cart or carts. Any recycling items outside the carts must have a special pickup request or will have an automatic charge assessed in accordance with the fee schedule in this Article.
(Ord. No. 0-97-53, 11/5/97) (Ord. No. 0-2003-55, 10/22/03) (Ord. No. O-2016-78; 9/14/2016) (Ord. No. 0-2017-77; 9/13/17)