March 28, 2024

City to address repeat trash offenders

New ordinance aimed at multi-family and commercial properties

The city is cracking down at multi-family residences and commercial properties who have been repeat offenders of trash or garbage offenses. Newton City Council has passed the first reading of an ordinance that includes new language which would require some residences to install permanent trash enclosures.

“We’re running into habitual offenders. The tools that we currently have aren’t stopping the problem from continuing to happen,” city director of planning and zoning Erin Chambers said. “What this new code language would do is provide the city another tool to work towards a permanent solution.”

The new ordinance could come into effect if the property has been cited or abated for trash or garbage three times within a 12 month period. The citations could come from offenses where the depositing of, maintaining, permitting or failing to remove, garbage, trash, rubbish, bottles, cans or other refuse outside of a building on any property within the city, including large quantities of organic debris and materials, which accumulated by other than natural means, except neatly maintained compost piles.

When a multi-family dwelling, consisting of three or more units, or a commercial building property has been cited or abated three or more times for garbage and trash violations, the city may require the property owner to put up a permanent, screening, enclosure surrounding any exterior trash receptacles or trash gathering space, in addition to any other remedies or penalties previously stipulated.

“There has been enough instances that we are dealing with this that we decided we need to find another solution to try to fix problems,” Chambers said. “We aren’t wanting to be out at the same properties all of the time tagging and citing nuisances.”

The ordinance change has two additional reading before it is adopted by city council.

Contact Jamee A. Pierson at 641-792-3121 ext. 6534 or jpierson@newtondailynews.com