§10-722. Use of Dumpsters. [131]


(1) Persons making use of a dumpster shall:

(a) Have the dumpster serviced only by a licensed private waste collector.

(b) Not lease or purchase a dumpster in the City of Philadelphia until they obtain or hold a valid license issued by the Department of Licenses and Inspections pursuant to Title 4, Article 6, Section 626,[132] Storage of Refuse.

(i) A license shall be issued for each dumpster. If a dumpster is located in the public right-of-way, the licensee shall affix the license to the wall or if there is no wall another available surface in the location in which the dumpster is permitted by the license. The license shall legibly display the license number and such other information as is required by regulation. In the event that the license is removed or made illegible, the user shall notify the Department of Licenses and Inspections and obtain a replacement license within five (5) days.

(ii) A non-recurring fee for a license shall be fifty ($50.00) dollars if the dumpster(s) is not placed in the public right-of-way.

(iii) The fee for a license shall be three hundred ($300.00) dollars annually per dumpster if the dumpster is placed in the public right-of-way.[133]

(iv) All regulations pertaining to this Section shall be distributed by the Department of Licenses and Inspections when the license is obtained. The Streets Department and the Department of Licenses and Inspections shall promulgate such other rules or regulations as they deem desirable to implement this Section.

(v) Documentation must be filed with the Department of Licenses and Inspections, subject to public examination, which illustrates what alternative methods of refuse storage were considered prior to seeking a license for placement of a dumpster on any public cartway or roadway, sidewalk or alleyway.

(c) Enclose any dumpster located outside, on private property according to regulations issued pursuant to Title 4, Article 6, Section 626.0[134] of the Code.

(d) Individual businesses generating grindable garbage must have their premises equipped with garbage disposal units which shall be used to dispose of all grindable garbage which is not collected for composting or for farm livestock feed.[135]

(e) Place all non-grindable garbage in bags designed to hold garbage without leaking or other sealable container designed to hold garbage before placing it in dumpster.
(f) Arrange to have dumpster emptied a minimum of once every week unless it contains non-grindable garbage in which case dumpsters shall be emptied at least every three (3) days or more often if required by the Health, Fire, Police, Streets or Licenses and Inspections Departments.

(g) Keep dumpster lids tightly secured except when in use. Keep area around dumpster clean and void of any overflowing refuse, non-grindable garbage, or spillage.

(h) Affix to any dumpster assigned to his or her use, his or her business name, address and telephone number.

(i) Nothing in subsection 10-722(1) shall be deemed to prohibit arrangement for collection of garbage for composting or for use as farm livestock feed provided that such collections are conducted a minimum of twice per week, tightly closed and secured containers are used, and the area around such containers is kept clean and free of any overflowing refuse, garbage, or spillage.[136]

(j) Not place any dumpster in the public right-of-way in an Area Shopping Center District as defined in Section 14-309 of The Code.[137]

(2) In addition to the provisions contained in subsection 10-722(1), in the following designated areas, persons making use of a dumpster shall insure that the dumpster is not emptied between 8:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m. without prior written permission from the Department of Streets. Such permission shall be considered where there is strong evidence that traffic or other problems of City-import require collection during these prohibited hours:[138]

(a) City avenue, from Forty-seventh street to Belmont avenue, east side.

(3) Any person who violates this Section shall be subject to the provisions and penalties set forth in Sections 10-718 and 10-719.

(4) If at the expiration of the time accorded for satisfaction of any fine imposed for violation of this Section, the fine is not paid, violator shall have the license issued pursuant to Section 19-2602 of the Code revoked, and shall, upon correction of the violation, immediately be permitted to reapply for a new license.