San Marino Municipal Code Art. 02 Residential Refuse

One or more receptacles or containers shall be provided on all improved or occupied residential premises within the City for the purpose of temporarily storing refuse created upon such premises. Each container used for the accumulation and storage of refuse shall be of durable metal or plastic construction, watertight and equipped with a tight fitting cover.

All refuse shall be placed in containers so as to be shielded from winds which may scatter the contents. (Ord. 974, 3-14-90)

It shall be unlawful to place any container used for the accumulation and storage of refuse in any alley, street, parkway or public place, except as specifically provided for in this Chapter.

It shall be unlawful to place any container used for the accumulation and storage of refuse on any private lot or parcel of land other than:

A. Interior Lots: In the rear or side yards, and in no event within five feet (5') of any property line, unless the same is shielded from the view of neighboring properties and street by maintained vegetation or a lawfully erected fence 1 ; and

B. Corner Lots: In rear yards, only at places shielded from the streets by maintained vegetation or a legal fence, and in no event within five feet (5') of any property line adjacent to a street; and

C. During Construction: As specifically provided for in this Chapter. (Ord. 974, 3-14-90; 1994 Code)

It shall be the responsibility of each residential property owner or tenant to make arrangements for the collection and removal of all refuse from any premises of which he/she is the owner, occupant or person in charge on a regular basis. Such collection shall be only by a company franchised and licensed to make such collections in the City.

All residential refuse collection shall be on a basis of not less than once every calendar week. (Ord. 974, 3-14-90)

Miscellaneous debris shall be stored or accumulated only in stacks or piles of not more than two hundred (200) cubic feet and not in excess of five feet (5') in height, which stacks or piles shall be:

A. Separated from any other such stack or pile and from any buildings, structures or other combustible materials by a sufficient distance so as not to create a fire hazard; provided, that in any event, such separation shall at all times be not less than five feet (5');

B. Shall not be located in any street, alley, parkway or other public place or in or upon any vacant or unimproved lot; and

C. Shall be located only in the rear or side yards of improved lots in a place shielded from winds which may scatter the same and also shielded from the view of neighboring properties and streets. (Ord. 974, 3-14-90)

It shall be unlawful for any person to place for collection in any container any substance or materials defined herein as "hazardous"; provided, that nothing herein shall prohibit an owner from personally removing or causing the removal of same by duly licensed collectors. Ashes, when placed for collection, shall be cooled and free from any fire, live coals or other substances which may ignite. Animal and bird droppings, soot, feathers, sawdust and excelsior shall be securely wrapped before being stored in containers. (Ord. 974, 3-14-90)

It shall be unlawful for any person to bury any refuse or to place the same in any hole or excavation in the City. (Ord. 974, 3-14-90)

The storage of leaves, grass clippings and the like may be permitted in residential areas of the City for the purpose of composting pursuant to the following rules and regulations:

A. Location: Composting shall be located in the rear or side yards of improved lots only and shall not be located in any street, alley, parkway or other public place or in or upon any private unimproved lot; provided, however, that the City, San Marino Unified School District and Huntington Library may compost on grounds owned by such agencies.

B. Contents: Composting shall consist only of organic, vegetable waste materials, such as leaves, small twigs, grass clippings and other vegetable matter.

C. Receptacles: Composting shall be contained and maintained in either:

1. A pit, hole or other earth depression excavated for such purpose, in which case, the contents shall always be maintained below natural surrounding ground level; or

2. A metal or wood container not in excess of three feet (3') in height. Such receptacles or pits shall not be maintained within five feet (5') of any property line or structure.

3. In open stacks or piles not in excess of three feet (3') in height, but only in the event such stacks or piles are maintained not less than fifty feet (50') from any property line or structure.

D. Covering and Maintenance: Compost must, at all times, be covered with at least one-half inch (1/2") of soil or other nonorganic or chemical covering approved by the County Health Department, designed to prevent the harboring of rodents, the breeding of flies and the emission of odors. All composting must be kept moist at all times until decomposition is completed. (Ord. 974, 3-14-90)

It shall be unlawful for any person to place or cause to be placed any refuse in the front yard of any residential property in the City and on a corner lot in the side yard facing the street, except for construction debris for the purpose of immediate (within 2 hours) collection. (Ord. 974, 3-14-90)