Title 7 HEALTH AND SANITATION
Chapter 7.12 UNIFORM LITTER CONTROL CODE
7.12.010 Short title.
7.12.020 Purpose.
7.12.030 Interpretation.
7.12.040 Definitions.
7.12.050 Prohibited--Penalty.
7.12.060 Receptacles--Placement.
7.12.070 Receptacles--Use.
7.12.080 Receptacles--Damaging unlawful.
7.12.090 Removal of litter.
7.12.100 Mandatory litter bags.
7.12.110 Sweeping litter into gutter prohibited.
7.12.120 Merchants’ duty to keep sidewalks free of litter.
7.12.130 Owner to maintain premises free of litter.
7.12.140 Throwing or distributing commercial handbills in public places.
7.12.150 Placing handbills on vehicles.
7.12.160 Depositing handbills on uninhabited or vacant property.
7.12.170 Prohibiting distribution of handbills where property posted.
7.12.180 Distributing handbills at inhabited private residences.
7.12.190 Littering from vehicles.
7.12.200 Vehicle loading.
7.12.210 City inspection of litter receptacles.
7.12.220 Enforcement officers and procedures.
7.12.230 Violation--Penalty.
7.12.010 Short title.
This chapter shall be known and may be commonly referred to and cited as
the “uniform litter control code.” (Ord. 553 § 1,
1973).
7.12.020 Purpose.
The purpose of this chapter is to accomplish litter control in the city
and pursuant to the general laws of the state of Washington to adopt basically
uniform and coordinated litter control legislation throughout the state. This
chapter is intended to place upon all persons within the city, in a cooperative
and coordinated statewide effort, the duty of contributing to the public
cleanliness of the city and appearance in order to promote the public health,
safety and welfare and to protect the economic interests of the people of the
city against unsanitary and unsightly conditions. It is further the intent of
this chapter to protect the people against the health and safety menace and the
expense incident to the littering of the streets and public places by the
promiscuous and uncontrolled distribution of advertising matter and commercial
and noncommercial handbills. (Ord. 553 § 21, 1973).
7.12.030 Interpretation.
In the event any other city ordinance, whether or not codified, is in
conflict with any of the terms of this chapter the more stringent shall be
construed as applicable. (Ord. 553 § 23, 1973).
7.12.040 Definitions.
A. As used in this uniform litter control code, unless the context clearly
indicates otherwise, the following terms have the following meanings. All words
used in the present tense include the future and past tense; all words in the
plural number include the singular number, and all words in the singular number
include the plural number. The word “shall” is always mandatory and
not merely directory.
B. “City” means the city of Kalama,
Washington.
C. “Commercial handbill” is any printed or written
matter, any sample or device, dodger, circular, leaflet, pamphlet, paper,
booklet or any other printed or otherwise reproduced original or copies of any
matter of literature, excluding newspapers:
1. Which advertises for sale any
merchandise, product, commodity or thing; or
2. Which directs attention to
any business or mercantile or commercial establishment, or other activity, for
the purpose of either directly or indirectly promoting the interest thereof by
sales; or
3. Which directs attention to or advertises any meeting,
theatrical performance, exhibition, or event of any kind, for which an admission
fee is charged for the purpose of private gain or profit; but the terms of this
subsection shall not apply where an admission fee is charged or a collection is
taken up for the purpose of defraying the expenses incident to such meeting,
theatrical performance, exhibition, or event of any kind, when either of the
same is held, given or takes place in connection with the dissemination of
information which is not restricted under the ordinary rules of decency, good
morals, public peace, safety and good order; provided, that nothing contained in
this subsection shall be deemed to authorize the holding, giving or taking place
of any meeting, theatrical performance, exhibition, or event of any kind,
without a license, where such license is or may be required by any law of this
state, or under any ordinance of this city; or
4. Which, while containing
reading matter other than advertising matter, is predominately and essentially
an advertisement, and is distributed or circulated for advertising purposes, or
for the private benefit and gain of any person so engaged as advertiser or
distributor.
D. “Highway,” for the purpose of this chapter, is
synonymous with and includes street, road and alley.
E. “Litter”
means all solid wastes including but not limited to containers, packages,
wrapping, printed matter or other material thrown or deposited as herein
prohibited, but not including the wastes of the primary processes of mining,
logging, sawmilling, farming or manufacturing.
F. “Litter bag”
means a bag, sack or other container made of any material which is large enough
to serve as a receptacle for litter inside the vehicle or watercraft of any
person.
G. “Litter receptacle” means those containers meeting
minimum requirements of state regulations of the State Department of
Ecology.
H. “Newspaper” means any newspaper of general
circulation as defined by general law, any newspaper duly entered with the Post
Office Department of the United States, in accordance with federal statute or
regulation, and any newspaper filed and recorded with any recording officer as
provided by general law; and in addition thereto, shall mean and include any
periodical or current magazine regularly published with not less than four
issues per year, and sold to the public.
I. “Noncommercial
handbill” means any printed or written matter, any sample, or device,
dodger, circular, leaflet, pamphlet, newspaper, magazine, paper, booklet or any
other printed or otherwise reproduced original or copies of any matter of
literature not included in the aforesaid definitions of a commercial handbill or
newspaper.
J. “Park” means a park, reservation, playground,
beach, recreation center or any other area in the city devoted to active or
passive outdoor recreation.
K. “Person” means any individual,
political subdivision, government agency, municipality, industry, public or
private corporation, co-partnership, association, firm or other entity,
whatsoever.
L. “Private residence” means any privately owned
yards, grounds, walk, driveway, dwelling, house, building or other structure,
including appurtenant porches, steps or vestibules, used or designed either
wholly or in part for private residential purpose, whether single family, duplex
or multiple, and whether uninhabited or vacant.
M. “Public
place” means any area that is used or held out for use by the public
whether owned or operated by public or private
interests.
N. “Road,” for the purpose of this chapter, is
synonymous with and includes street, highway and alley.
O. “Solid
waste” means all putrescible and nonputrescible solid and semisolid wastes
including garbage, rubbish, ashes, industrial wastes, swill, demolition and
construction wastes, abandoned vehicles or parts thereof, and discarded
commodities.
P. “State regulations” means the regulations duly
promulgated and adopted by the State Department of Ecology pursuant to Chapter
34.04 RCW and codified or prepared for codification as part of the Washington
Administrative Code, copies of the applicable portions of which are on file in
the office of the clerk-treasurer of the city of
Kalama.
Q. “Street,” for the purpose of this chapter, is
synonymous with and includes road, highway and
alley.
R. “Vehicle” includes every device capable of being moved
upon a public street and in, upon, or by which any person or property is or may
be transported or drawn upon a public street, excepting devices moved by human
or animal power or used exclusively upon stationary rails or
tracks.
S. “Watercraft” means any boat, ship, vessel, barge or
other floating craft. (Ord. 553 § 2, 1974).
7.12.050 Prohibited--Penalty.
A. No person shall throw, drop, deposit, discard or otherwise dispose of
litter upon any street, alley, sidewalk or any other public place in the city or
upon a private residence or other private property not owned by him, or in any
waters within the jurisdiction of the city whether from a vehicle or otherwise
except:
1. When such property is designated by the state or by any of its
agencies or the city for the disposal of garbage and refuse, and such person is
authorized by the proper public authority to so use such property;
or
2. Into a litter receptacle or other container in such manner that the
litter will be prevented from being carried away or deposited by the elements
upon any part of said public place, private residence or other private property;
or
3. When such person is the owner or does have control or custody of the
property, or has prior consent of the owner or tenant in lawful possession of
such property, or unless the act is done under the personal direction of said
owner or tenant and provided the litter will not cause a public nuisance or be
in violation of any other state or local laws, rules or regulations.
B. Any
person violating the provisions of this section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor
and the fine or bail forfeiture for such violation shall not be less than ten
dollars for each offense, and, in addition thereto, in the sound discretion of
the court, such person may be directed by the court to pick up and remove from
any public place or any private residence or other property, with permission of
the legal owner or other person having legal possession, upon which it is
established by competent evidence that such person has deposited litter, any and
all litter deposited thereon by anyone prior to the date of execution of
sentence. (Ord. 553 § 3, 1973).
7.12.060 Receptacles--Placement.
A. Litter receptacles shall be placed in all parks, trailer parks in
respect to the service of transient habitation, gasoline service stations,
tavern parking lots, shopping centers, grocery store parking lots, marinas, boat
launching areas, beaches, bathing areas and other such public places in numbers
appropriate to need as specified by state regulation.
B. It shall be the
responsibility of any person owning or operating any establishment or public
place in which litter receptacles are required by this section to procure and
place and maintain such litter receptacles at their own expense on the premises
in accord with such state regulations.
C. Penalty. Any person who fails to
place such litter receptacles on the premises in the numbers and design required
by state regulation, violating the provisions of this section, shall be subject
to a fine of ten dollars for each day of violation. (Ord. 553 § 4,
1973).
7.12.070 Receptacles--Use.
A. Persons placing litter in litter receptacles shall do so in such manner
as to prevent it from being carried or deposited by the elements upon any
street, sidewalk or other public place or upon any private residence or other
private property.
B. Litter receptacles placed on sidewalks and other public
places shall be used only for such litter material as persons may have for
disposal while passing along the street or other public places and in no event
shall be used for the disposal of other solid waste accumulated in residences or
places of business. (Ord. 553 § 5, 1973).
7.12.080 Receptacles--Damaging unlawful.
A. It is unlawful for any person to willfully damage or deface, any litter
receptacle of another person.
B. Penalty. Upon conviction for such violation
such violator shall be subject to a fine of one hundred dollars for each such
violation. (Ord. 553 § 6, 1973).
7.12.090 Removal of litter.
It shall be the responsibility of the local municipality, other agency or
person owning or maintaining the same for the removal of litter from litter
receptacles placed in parks, beaches, campgrounds and other public places. (Ord.
553 § 7, 1973).
7.12.100 Mandatory litter bags.
The owner and person in possession of all vehicles or watercraft shall
keep and use a litter bag in said vehicles or watercraft at all times which
litter bag shall be maintained in such vehicle or watercraft in a place in which
the same may be viewed from the outside of such vehicle or watercraft when the
same is locked or otherwise secured from entry. (Ord. 553 § 8,
1973).
7.12.110 Sweeping litter into gutter prohibited.
No person shall sweep into or deposit in any gutter, street, alley or
other public place the accumulation of litter from any building or lot or from
any public or private sidewalk or driveway. Persons owning or occupying property
shall keep the sidewalks in front of their premises free of litter. (Ord. 553
§ 9, 1973).
7.12.120 Merchants’ duty to keep sidewalks free of litter.
No person owning or occupying a place of business shall sweep into or
deposit in any gutter, street, or other public place the accumulation of litter
from any building or lot or from any public or private sidewalk or driveway.
Persons owning or occupying places of business within the city shall keep the
sidewalk in front of their business premises free of litter. (Ord. 553 §
10, 1973).
7.12.130 Owner to maintain premises free of litter.
The owner or person in control of any private residence or other private
property shall at all times maintain the premises free of litter. (Ord. 553
§ 11, 1973).
7.12.140 Throwing or distributing commercial handbills in public places.
No person shall throw or deposit any commercial or noncommercial handbill
in or upon any sidewalk, street or other public place within the city. Nor shall
any person hand out or distribute or sell any commercial handbill in any public
place. Provided, however, that it shall not be unlawful on any sidewalk, street,
or other public place within the city for any person to hand out or distribute,
without charge to the receiver thereof, any noncommercial handbill to any person
willing to accept it. (Ord. 553 § 12, 1973).
7.12.150 Placing handbills on vehicles.
No person shall throw or deposit any commercial or noncommercial handbill
in or upon any vehicles. Provided, however, that it shall not be unlawful in any
public place for a person to hand out or distribute without charge to the
receiver thereof, any noncommercial handbill to any occupant of a vehicle who is
willing to accept it. (Ord. 553 § 13, 1973).
7.12.160 Depositing handbills on uninhabited or vacant property.
No person shall throw or deposit any commercial or noncommercial handbill
in or upon any private residence or other private property which are temporarily
or continuously uninhabited or vacant. (Ord. 553 § 14, 1973).
7.12.170 Prohibiting distribution of handbills where property posted.
No person shall throw, deposit or distribute any commercial or
noncommercial handbill upon any private residence or other private property if
requested by anyone thereon not to do so, or if there is placed on said
residence or property in a conspicuous position near the entrance thereof, a
sign bearing the words: “No Trespassing,” “No Peddlers or
Agents,” “No Advertisement,” or any similar notice, indicating
in any matter that the occupants of said residence or property do not desire to
be molested or have their right of privacy disturbed, or to have any such
handbills left upon such premises. (Ord. 553 § 15, 1973).
7.12.180 Distributing handbills at inhabited private residences.
A. No person shall throw, deposit or distribute any commercial or
noncommercial handbill in or upon a private residence which is inhabited, except
by handing or transmitting any such handbill directly to the owner, occupant or
other person then present in or upon such private residence. Provided, however,
that in case of inhabited private residence which is not posted, as provided in
this chapter such person, unless requested by anyone upon such residence not to
do so, may place or deposit any such handbill in or upon such inhabited private
residence, if such handbill is so placed or deposited as to secure or prevent
such handbill from being blown or drifted about such residence or sidewalks,
streets or other public places, and except that mailboxes may not be so used
when so prohibited by federal postal law or regulations.
B. Exemption For
Mail and Newspapers. The provisions of this section shall not apply to the
distribution of mail by the United States, or to newspapers (as defined herein)
except that newspapers shall be placed on private residences or other private
property in such a manner as to prevent their being carried or deposited by the
elements upon any street, sidewalk or other public place or upon private
residences or other property. (Ord. 553 § 16, 1973).
7.12.190 Littering from vehicles.
No person, while a driver or passenger in a vehicle, shall throw or
otherwise deposit litter upon any street or other public place or upon any
private residence or private property. (Ord. 553 § 17, 1973).
7.12.200 Vehicle loading.
A. No vehicle shall be driven or moved on any public street unless such
vehicle is so constructed or loaded as to prevent any of its load from dropping,
shifting, leaking or otherwise escaping therefrom, except that sand or gravel
may be dropped for the purpose of securing traction, or water or other substance
may be sprinkled on a roadway surface in the cleaning or maintaining of such
roadway by public authority having jurisdiction for the same or by persons under
contract or other authorization by such public authority.
B. Any person
owning or operating a vehicle from which any glass or other objects of its load
have fallen or escaped, which would constitute an obstruction or injure a
vehicle or otherwise endanger travel upon such public street, shall immediately
cause said public street to be cleaned of all such glass or other objects and
shall pay any cost therefor. (Ord. 553 § 18, 1973).
7.12.210 City inspection of litter receptacles.
A. At such times as the fire department or other local fire control agency
makes routine or other fire inspections within the city, it shall also be the
duty of the fire department to inspect all such inspected premises to assure
compliance with the requirements for placing and maintaining litter receptacles
as required by this chapter. In the event violations of this chapter are found,
members of the fire department are authorized to issue citations and the other
legal process authorized in this chapter as in the case of police and other law
enforcement personnel.
B. The building department shall not approve
occupancy of any building, structure or other improvement for new construction
or modification to any existing building, structure or other improvement for
which a building permit is required, nor give final inspection approval to any
such building, structure or other improvement, until litter receptacles as
herein required have been set in place on the subject property. In the event
violations of this chapter are found, members of the building department are
authorized to issue citations and other legal process authorized in this chapter
as in the case of police and other law enforcement personnel. (Ord. 553 §
19, 1973).
7.12.220 Enforcement officers and procedures.
Enforcement of this chapter may be by any police officer or other law
enforcement officer, fire department and building department personnel,
jurisdictional health department personnel, and those public employees charged
with the responsibility of operating and maintaining all public places within
the provisions of this chapter. All such enforcement officers are hereby
empowered to issue citations to, and/or arrest without warrant, persons
violating the provisions of this chapter. Said enforcement officers may serve
and execute all warrants, citations and other process issued by the courts. In
addition, mailing by registered mail of such warrant, citation or other process
to the last known place of residence of the offender shall be deemed as personal
service upon the person charged. Nothing herein shall be construed to prohibit
citizens’ complaints or arrests as may be otherwise permitted under
applicable state regulations, state statute, ordinance or court rule. (Ord. 553
§ 20, 1973).
7.12.230 Violation--Penalty.
Every person convicted of a violation of this chapter for which no penalty
is specifically provided within the specific section violated shall be punished
by a fine of not more than ten dollars for each such violation. Each day that
such violation continues shall be considered a separate offense. (Ord. 553
§ 24, 1973).
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