Athens City Code

1. (1) Residential points of collection.
   1. (a) Refuse containers shall be placed for collection at ground level on the property at the curbline where collection is made unless the subscriber has made arrangements to place the refuse container at another point and has so advised the city sanitation department of the location.
   2. (b) Persons served by an alley abutting the property of the person shall place refuse containers as near as possible to the alley line, but not more than five feet from the alley line, on the day of collection service.
   3. (c) Persons with unpaved or graveled driveways not capable of accommodating a refuse vehicle shall place refuse containers as near as possible to the street right-of-way or curbline on the day of collection.
   4. (d) The city will not be responsible for driveways, shrubbery, downspouts, lawns, etc., damaged while in the process of entering the premises for the purpose of collecting refuse. It shall be deemed lawful to enter the premises for the purpose of removing refuse unless the person being serviced objects to the collection equipment entering the premises and advises the city sanitation department in writing of the objection.
2. (2) Commercial or business points of collection.
   1. (a) Placement of containers other than city-owned receptacles shall comply with ACC 17-5.
   2. (b) Commercial or business firms disposing of refuse under the provisions of ACC 17-11 may be permitted to place containers at places upon their premises by agreement of the contractual party or to suit the needs of the person responsible for the removal of refuse.

(Code 1972, § 8-112; Code 1995, § 17-111)

1. (1) Refuse collection shall be made in the residential districts on regular scheduled routes so as to provide one collection per week for each residence subscriber.
2. (2) Refuse collection shall be made in commercial or business areas as frequently as needed to prevent the occurrence of nuisances and public health problems in the city.

(Code 1972, § 8-113; Code 1995, § 17-112)

1. (1) Institutional, professional, industrial, fraternal, commercial or business establishments operated within the city shall pay a minimum monthly fee as determined by city council and adopted through its annual budget, plus an additional amount for receipt of services as determined by the department of sanitation; however, businesses operating out of their residences or vehicles may be eligible for a credit of 100 percent for the service, as determined by the supervisor of the city's sanitation department.
2. (2) All residences within the city shall pay a minimum monthly fee for residential refuse service, as determined by city council and adopted through its annual budget. Those residents needing more than one container, as determined by the city, will pay the minimum rate set by the city council, plus additional charges based on the number of additional containers, and shall not be eligible for tax relief services. However, those citizens who qualify for property tax relief and citizens who would otherwise qualify for property tax relief but do not own their residences, and who use only one city-issued container, will be eligible for a credit of 100 percent for the service.
3. (3) The city council may establish service boundaries limiting the daily refuse pickup service to customers within the boundaries. Proper notice may be given to customers outside the boundaries by publishing a map in a local newspaper on three successive days in sufficient notice that the service cannot be provided on a daily basis.

(Code 1972, § 8-114; Code 1995, § 17-113; Ord. No. 777, 6-15-1993; Ord. No. 805, 6-20-1995; Ord. No. 917, 4-20-2004; Ord. No. 982, 2-16-2010)

1. (1) Institutional, professional, industrial, fraternal, or commercial service charges shall be billed through procedures prescribed by the city manager. A penalty of five percent per month on the unpaid balance shall be imposed and collected on all delinquent refuse accounts.
2. (2) Privately licensed waste haulers.
   1. (a) Commercial, industrial, institutional, professional, fraternal, and business establishments and contractors (including demolition waste) electing to utilize a privately licensed waste hauler must provide evidence of a paid invoice on a quarterly basis to the city sanitation foreman for the minimum billing to be waived. If proper evidence is not provided, minimum billing along with any penalties are due to the city.
   2. (b) The city may elect to deny waste collection to commercial, industrial, institutional, professional, fraternal, and business establishments and contractors (including demolition wastes) due to waste being hazardous, causing damage to city equipment or inadequate equipment to properly handle the waste.
3. (3) All institutional, professional, industrial, fraternal, commercial, and business establishments and contractors requiring special handling or special rates due to unusual situations that prevent the charges from being placed on the utility statement will be billed and collected by the director of finance.

(Code 1972, § 8-115; Code 1995, § 17-114; Ord. No. 805, 6-20-1995; Ord. No. 917, 4-20-2004)

1. (1) All refuse accumulated within the corporate limits shall be collected, conveyed, and disposed of under the supervision of such officer as the city manager shall designate. Collections shall be made regularly in accordance with an announced schedule.
2. (2) Quantities of tree limbs and debris, etc., equivalent to a full trailer load (20 cubic yards) or more shall be deposited for collection only after approval and direction of the city manager or his designee. For this extra disposal service, the applicant shall pay a minimum fee as determined by city council and adopted through its annual budget.

(Code 1972, § 8-117; Code 1995, § 17-116; Ord. No. 917, 4-20-2004; Ord. No. 1012, § 3, 12-18-2012)

The collection of refuse shall be by means of vehicles with beds constructed of impervious materials which are easily cleanable and so constructed that there will be no leakage of liquids draining from the refuse onto the streets and alleys. Furthermore, all refuse collection vehicles shall utilize closed beds or such coverings as will effectively prevent the scattering of refuse over the streets or alleys.

(Code 1972, § 8-118; Code 1995, § 17-117)

1. (1) Any person, firm, or corporation who shall violate any of the provisions of this chapter or who fail or refuse to obey any notice or order issued by the health officer or the supervisor of the city sanitation department with reference to the storage, accumulation, or disposal of refuse as set forth in this chapter shall be guilty of a civil offense.
2. (2) Any person, firm or corporation that uses the facilities and does not comply with ACC 17-44 and/or pay for the use of the storage containers provided by the city to the various institutional, professional, industrial, fraternal, commercial or business establishments shall be guilty of a civil offense.

(Code 1972, § 8-119; Code 1995, § 17-118; Ord. No. 794, 7-19-1994)