521.15 REGULATION OF COMPOST PILES.

   (a)   As used in this section, the following definitions shall apply:

      (1)   “Compost piles” means any outdoor pile of organic waste matter permitted to decompose.

      (2)   “Kitchen waste” means any vegetable scraps, coffee grounds and filters, egg shells, tea bags, and fruit wastes.

      (3)   “Yard waste” means any coniferous and deciduous leaves, grass clippings, weeds, hedge clippings, garden waste, twigs, and brush.

   (b)   A compost pile shall consist of yard waste, kitchen waste, nitrogen-based chemicals or fertilizers and water. There shall not be permitted the addition of any untreated animal manure, grease, meat, bones and fats to any compost pile in the City.

   (c)   There shall be no more than one compost pile on any residential lot in the City, unless authorized in writing by the Director of Public Service.

   (d)   No compost pile in the City shall exceed four feet in height above-ground level thirty square feet in total surface area, and a total volume of 120 cubic feet.

   (e)   Any compost pile maintained within a residence district, composed in part or wholly of kitchen waste, shall be confined in a compost bin or similarly enclosed structure to prevent the attraction of rodents and other nuisance animals.

   (f)   All compost piles in a residence district shall be maintained and restricted to the back yard of residential dwellings.

   (g)   Any compost pile in the City, which is found to be in violation of the regulations contained in this section by the City, shall be removed completely within seven days after receipt of written notice from the City to the property owner or person lawfully in possession of the property upon which the compost pile is located. Failure to remove a compost pile pursuant to a notice given in this section shall be deemed a violation of this section.

   (h)   Whoever violates any of the provisions of this section is guilty of a minor misdemeanor on a first offense; for a second or subsequent offense, such person is guilty of a misdemeanor of the fourth degree.
(Ord. 2007-1. Passed 2-5-07.)