Ordinance 009-1974
ORDINANCE NO.9 -1974
AN ORDINANCE PERTAINING TO THE COLLECTION, TRANS-
PORTATION AND DISPOSAL OF GARBAGE AND TRASH WITH-
IN THE BOUNDARIES OF MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA; ESTAB-
LISHING THE ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES DIVISION OF
MONROE COUNTY; PROVIDING FOR THE LEGAL STATUS OF
SAID RULES AND REGULATIONS; PROVIDING WHO MAY EN-
GAGE IN PRIVATE GARBAGE AND TRASH TRANSPORTING,
PLACING OR DEPOSITING OF GARBAGE OR TRASH ALONG OR
UPON THE HIGHWAYS, ROADS, STREETS AND THOROUGH-
FARES OF SAID COUNTY, AND THE PLACING OR DEPOSITING
OF SAME UPON VACANT LOTS OR PREMISES OF OTHER
PERSONS IN SAID COUNTY; SPECIFYING THE TYPE OF CON-
TAINERS TO BE PROVIDED FOR THE STORING OF GARBAGE,
AND PROHIBITING THE REMOVAL OF GARBAGE FROM SUCH
CONTAINER, EXCEPT BY A DULY LICENSED GARBAGE COL-
LECTOR; PROHIBITING THE DEPOSITING OF TRASH OR
OTHER REFUSE MATTER IN THE SAME CONTAINER IN WHICH
GARBAGE IS DEPOSITED, AND THE ACCUMULATION OF GAR-
BAGE OR OTHER UNSANITARY MATTER WHICH MAY BE DETRI-
MENTAL TO THE HEALTH, SAFETY OR WELFARE OF THE
PUBLIC; PROHIBITING THE DISPOSAL OF GARBAGE OR
TRASH EXCEPT BY FACILITIES PROVIDED BY MONROE
COUNTY, FLORIDA; PROVIDING FOR THE USE OF THE COUNTY
DUMP BY INHABITANTS OF SAID COUNTY AND THE PAYMENT
OF FEE THEREFOR; PROVIDING THAT ALL RESIDENCES,
PLACES OF BUSINESS, APARTMENT HOUSES, UNITS OR
DWELLINGS IN MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA SHALL BE SUBJECT
TO THE SERVICES PROVIDED HEREIN AND PAYMENT OF FEE
THEREFOR; PROVIDING PENALTIES FOR THE VIOLATION OF
THE PROVISIONS HEREOF; PROVIDING THAT THE PROVI-
SIONS HEREOF SHALL NOT BE APPLICABLE IN ANY MUNICI-
PALITY WITHIN MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA; AND PROVIDING
WHEN THIS ORDINANCE SHALL TAKE EFFECT.
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF MONROE COUNTY,
FLORIDA, AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1.
AUTHORITY. This Ordinance is adopted pursuant
to Florida Statutes Chapter 125.01 (l)(k), and the provisions hereof
and all sections contained herein shall be construed as having been
adopted in the interest of the public health, safety and general
welfare of the people of said County.
Section 2.
SHORT TITLE. This Ordinance shall be known and
may be cited as "Municipal Refuse Collection Service Ordinance of
the County of Monroe, Florida".
Section 3.
DEFINITIONS. For the purpose of construing this
Ordinance, the following definitions shall apply: When not incon-
sistent with the context, words used in the present tense include
the future, words in the plural include the singular number, and
• •
-2-
words in the singular number include the plural number. The word
"shall" is always mandatory and not merely directory.
SECTION 3. 1 ABANDONED VEHICLES includes motor vehicles
and trailers left on public or private property without permission
of the County or owner of the property for an extended period of
time (10 days or more) and usually in an inoperable or hazardous
condition.
SECTION 3. 2 BULKY WASTE includes items of solid waste,
such as appliances , furniture, large auto parts , trees , large
branches, foliage and the like.
SECTION 3. 3 BUNDLE means a package containing rubbish only
weighing not over fifty (50) pounds and not exceeding four (4) feet
in its longest dimension; securely tied with cord or rope of suffi-
cient strength to permit lifting and carrying of the full weight
thereof, without spillage or leakage and placed for collection
immediately adjacent to a standard container.
SECTION 3. 4 COMMERCIAL WASTE means wastes from wholesale,
retail or service establishments , including restaurants , hotels ,
motels , shopping centers, office buildings , trailer parks , lodge
buildings and warehouses . It also includes restaurant or cafeteria
wastes from industrial concerns and spent petroleum products .
SECTION 3. 5 CONSTRUCTION AND DEMOLITION WASTES includes
the waste building materials and rubble resulting from construction,
remodeling, repair, and demolition operation on houses , commercial
buildings , pavements and other structures .
SECTION 3. 6 "COUNTY" means the County of Monroe, Florida.
SECTION 3. 7 DEAD ANIMALS include those that die naturally,
from diesease, or are killed.
SECTION 3. 8 DIRECTOR means the Director of Environmental
Services who shall be the person who has the authority and responsi-
bility for the administration and enforcement of this Ordinance and
who shall be appointed and accountable to the Board of County Com-
missioners of Monroe County, Florida .
-3-
SECTION 3.9 DISPOSAL AREA includes any site, tract of land,
area, building, structure or premises used, or intended to be used,
for partial or total solid waste disposal.
SECTION 3.10 GARBAGE includes every waste accumulation of
animal or vegetable matter which attends the preparation, use, cook-
ing, processing, handling or storage of meats, fish, fowl, fruits,
vegetables or other matter which is subject to decomposition, decay,
putrefaction, the generation of noxious or offensive gases, odors,
or which during or after decay may serve as breeding or feeding
material for files, insects or animals.
SECTION 3.11
HAZARDOUS WASTES includes those wastes that
can cause serious injury or disease during the normal storage, col-
lection and disposal cycle; including, but not limited to ammunition,
explosives, pathological and infectious wastes, radioactive materials
and dangerous chemicals.
SECTION 3.12 INDUSTRIAL WASTE includes solid wastes which
result from industrial processes and manufacturing operations such
as factories, processing plants, repair and cleaning establishments
and the like.
SECTION 3.13 LIVING UNIT includes any place of abode which
is suitable for permanent, transient families, or individual resi-
dential use. Each such living unit shall be considered as single
and separate for the purpose of this chapter.
SECTION 3.14 PREMISES include a building together with any
fences, walls, sheds, garages, or other accessory buildings appur-
tenant to such building and the land area surrounding the building
and actually, or by legal construction, forming one enclosure in
which such building is located.
SECTION 3.15 RUBBISH is nonputrescible solid waste con-
sisting of both combustible and non-conbustible wastes, such as
paper cardboard, tin cans, yard rubbish, wood, glass, cloth or
litter of any kind.
SECTION 3.16 SOLID WASTE (REFUSE) includes putrescible
and non-putrescible waste, except body waste, and including abandoned
vehicles, food waste, (garbage) rubbish, street sweepings, tree
debris and solid market and industrial waste.
-4-
SECTION 3.17 DELINQUENT ACCOUNTS. All accounts shall be
considered delinquent if not paid by the fifteenth of the month,
following the month for which service is rendered.
SECTION 4. ADMINISTRATION.
SECTION 4.1 RESPONSIBLE AGENCY. Monroe County Environ-
mental Services Division.
SECTION 4.2
FUNCTIONS AND POWERS.
a. To supervise the collection, transportation and disposal
of all solid waste.
b. To promulgate rules and regulations not inconsistent
with the terms and provisions of this Ordinance.
SECTION 5.
SECTION 5.1
SCOPE OF LEGISLATION.
STANDARDS AND REGULATIONS.
a. Owners, agents, tenants or lessees of all residential
and/or commercial establishments shall be responsible for complying
with the provisions of this Ordinance.
b. All refuse accumulated in the County shall be collected,
conveyed and disposed of by the County, or its designated agents,
licensees, employees or contract representatives. No other person
shall collect or convey over any of the streets, highway, roads or
waterways of the County or dispose of any refuse accumulated in the
County except as follows.
c. Industrial Refuse: this Ordinance shall not prohibit
the producers of industrial waste or the owner of the premises upon
which industrial waste has accumulated, from personally collecting,
conveying and disposing of industrial waste if such service is not
provided by the County, subject to the laws and ordinances of the
County.
d. Exception for Outside Collectors: this Ordinance
shall not prohibit collectors of refuse from outside the County
from hauling such refuse over County roads and streets, provided
such collectors comply with the provisions of this Ordinance and
with any other applicable law or Ordinance of said County.
-5-
e. All garbage before being placed in containers shall
have drained from it all free liquids and shall be wrapped in paper
or plastic.
f. "Rubbish": All rubbish shall be drained of liquid
before being deposited for collection. Unless containerized, all
rubbish, such as newspapers and magazines, shall be bundled as set
forth in Section 3.4.
g. Refuse containers: Shall be provided by the owner,
tenant, lessee or occupant of the premises in sufficient number to
hold all waste that accumulates between collections and shall be
properly maintained. Each container shall be durable, rust resistant,
non-absorbant, water-tight, rodent proof, shall have handles, tight
fitting covers and be easy to clean. Containers shall not exceed
32 gallons in capacity or 60 pounds. Disposable plastic or paper
bags of an approved type, size and material, designed for refuse
storage and disposal, are acceptable and may be used to contain
garbage and rubbish for storage and pickup. Said disposable plastic
or paper bags shall not exceed 50 pounds in weight. Any container
that doesn't conform to the provisions of this Ordinance or that has
ragged or sharp edges or any defect liable to hamper or injure the
person collecting the contents thereof, shall be promptly replaced
upon notice. The Director shall refuse collection services for
failure to comply therewith.
h. Industrial and Commercial waste containers for mechan-
ical pickup will be furnished by the owner upon approval of the
Director.
i. Industrial and Commercial refuse shall be sorted, held,
kept and collected by the owner thereof, or the owner of the pre-
mises, in containers which are suitable for the particular waste
involved and which shall all be leakproof, having tight fitting
covers.
j. Toxic or hazardous wastes shall be stored in the proper
containers which are adequately labeled and in a safe location;
also, the vehicles and containers used for the collection and trans-
portation of such wastes shall be durable, enclosed and leakproof
-6-
and shall be constructed, loaded, moved and unloaded in a safe
manner, all in compliance with the laws of federal and state govern-
ments and their regulatory agencies.
SECTION 6. CERTAIN ACTS AND PRACTICES PROHIBITED.
SECTION 6.1 It shall be unlawful for any person to place,
or cause to be placed, any refuse upon any streets, highway, road,
waterway, stream or other body of 'Hater or upon private property,
whether owned by such person or not, unless it is placed in proper
containers for collection or delivered to an authorized disposal
area in accordance with the provisions of this act.
SECTION 6.2 "Unauthorized Accumulation" Any unauthorized
accumulation of refuse or rubbish on any prem~ses is hereby declared
to be a nuisance and prohibited.
SECTION 6.3 It shall be unlawful for any person to dispose
of any acid, explosive material, inflammable liquids or any danger-
ous or highly corrosive material in any refuse container which might
be detrimental or harmful to any person or persons. The County will
not be responsible for the collection or disposal of these materials
or of special industrial wastes. Special handling arrangements
shall be made with the Director.
SECTION 6.4 It shall be unlawful to bury, burn or dispose
of garbage, trash or similar material, except by use of a garbage
disposal unit, or in accordance with the provisions of this Ordi-
nance.
SECTION 7. MANDATORY SERVICE. Each person or establish-
ment generating refuse within the County, shall subscribe for pickup
and removal services when available, either with the County or an
approved private collector. In situations involving remote or
isolated locations, an exception may be authorized to permit a
suitable alternate collection and disposal method.
SECTION 7.1 PRIMA FACIE EVIDENCE. Any place of abode or
any place of business occupied or in operation where food is pre-
pared or is capable of being prepared, or a waste is produced, shall
be prima facie evidence that garbage and/or rubbish is being pro-
duced and accumulated on such premises and the owner thereof shall
-7-
pay the prescribed fees for garbage and/or rubbish removal and
disposal services for the premises. It shall be the duty of the
Director, or his designated agents, to inspect such premises and
cause to be removed therefrom any and all refuse found thereon at
the expense of the owner thereof, and this likewise apply to the
duties of such Director or his designated agents to the proper
authorities any violation of this Ordinance, to institute an prose-
cute any person found or suspected as being in violation thereof
and to appear as a witness in any action pertaining to violation of
this Ordinance.
SECTION 8. COLLECTION PRACTICES.
SECTION 8.1 Residential solid waste shall be collected
at least twice each week.
SECTION 8.2 "Connnercial/Industrial" Hotels, restaurants
and such other businesses and institutions as deem it necessary, may
enter into an agreement for a greater frequency of collection than
twice each week. Where necessary to protect the public health, the
Director shall require that more than twice each week a collection
shall be made.
SECTION 8.3 "Placement for Pickup" Garbage and rubbish
which is to be picked up by the County of its 'Franchised Collectors'
shall be placed on the parkway next to the curb or roadway, in front
of the residence or establishment in which accumulated NOT in the
street, road or highway.
SECTION 8.4 BUILDERS AND TREE SURGEONS. Builders, build-
ing contractors and privately employed tree trimmers and tree sur-
geons, must remove all trash and debris from the premises upon which
they are working at their own expense, which shall include limbs,
tree trunks, roots, concrete slabs, concrete blocks, bricks, building
debris and all other materials used by the contractors in the course
of building and/or alteration.
SECTION 8.5 SOLID WASTE PROPERTY OF COUNTY. Ownership of
refuse material set out for collection or deposited on the County
Land Disposal Sites, shall be vested in the County.
SECTION 8.6 "COLLECTION AND TRANSPORTATION". The produ-
cers of industrial or connnercial wastes or the owners of premises
-8-
upon which industrial or commercial waste is produced, and who per-
sonally collect, convey and dispose of said waste, shall do so as
specified in Section S.l(J) and in accordance with the Rules of Sani-
tary Code of Florida as provided in Chapter 10-D-12.
SECTION 8.6.1 "DISPOSAL". Disposal of refuse by persons
so permitted under subsection 8.6 above, shall be made in accordance
with the provisions of Section 8.7 herein.
SECTION 8.7 INDIVIDUAL DISPOSAL. Inhabitants of Monroe
County, Florida may transport to the county dump tree limbs, cuttings,
leaves, grass and weeds from their individual premises, provided that
such persons using county dumping facilities or any dumping facilities
operated by a duly licensed franchise holder shall be required to
pay the fee established by the Board of County Commissioners of
Monroe County, Florida in the franchises granted by it or in any
resolution of said Board.
SECTION 9. FEES. Monthly charges for various amounts,
types and frequency of waste pickups shall be made to each account.
In the event there should be a period of more than thirty days during
which service is not required, the Director or authorized franchise
holder shall be notified in writing at least ten (10) days in ad-
vance. Subsequent billings will reflect the period of non-service.
SECTION 9.1 For the protection of the health of the citizens
and the sanitation of Monroe County, Florida, each and every resi-
dence, place of business, apartment house, unit or dwelling within
rhe limits of said county shall be subject to the services provided
by this Ordinance, and to procure same shall pay the rate as pro-
vided by the franchises granted by the Board of County Commissioners.
A delinquent account shall be prima facie evidence of the violation
of this Ordinance.
SECTION 10. PENALTIES. Any person, firm or corporation
violating any of the provisions of this Ordinance shall be prosecuted
by the State Attorney of Monroe County, Florida having authority to
prosecute misdemeanors, shall be punished by fine not to exceed five
-9-
hundred dollars ($500.00) or by imprisonment in the County Jail not
to exceed sixty (60) days, or by both such fine and imprisonment.
SECTION 11. The provisions of this Ordinance shall not be
applicable in any municipality within Monroe County, Florida.
SECTION 12. SEVERABILITY. If any section, subsection,
paragraph, clause, sentence, phrase or portion of this Ordinance is
for any reason held invalid, unlawful or unconstitutional by any
court of competent jurisdiction, such portion shall be deemed a
separate, distinct and independent provision and such holding shall
not affect the validity of the remaining portions hereof.
SECTION 13. This Ordinance shall take effect upon receipt
of the official acknowledgment from the Department of State acknow-
ledging receipt of certified copy of this Ordinance and that said
Ordinance has been filed in said office.
NOTICE OF INTENTION TO CONSIDER ADOTPION
OF COUNTY ORDINANCE
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN TO WHOM IT MAY CONCEP~ that on Tues-
day, October 29, 1974, at 1:00 P.M. at the Sheriff's Substation,
Marathon, Monroe County, Florida, the Board of County Commissioners
of Monroe County, Florida, intends to consider the adoption of the
following County Ordinance:
ORDINANCE NO.
-1974
AN ORDINANCE PERTAINING TO THE COLLECTION, TRANS-
PORTATION AND DISPOSAL OF GARBAGE AND TRASH WITH-
IN THE BOUNDARIES OF MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA;
ESTABLISHING THE ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES DIVISION
OF MONROE COUNTY; PROVIDING FOR THE LEGAL STATUS
OF SAID RULES AND REGULATIONS; PROVIDING WHO MAY
ENGAGE IN PRIVATE GARBAGE AND TRASH TRANSPORTING,
PLACING OR DEPOSITING OF GARBAGE OR TRASH ALONG
OR UPON THE HIGHWAYS, ROADS, STREETS AND THOROUGH-
FARES OF SAID COUNTY, AND THE PLACING OR DEPOSITING
OF SAME UPON VACANT LOTS OR PREMISES OF OTHER PER-
SONS IN SAID COUNTY; SPECIFYING THE TYPE OF CON-
TAINERS TO BE PROVIDED FOR THE STORING OR GARBAGE,
AND PROHIBITING THE REMOVAL OF GARBAGE FROM SUCH
CONTAINER, EXCEPT BY A DULY LICENSED GARBAGE COL-
LECTOR; PROHIBITING THE DEPOSITING OF TRASH OR
OTHER REFUSE MATTER IN THE SAME CONTAINER IN WHICH
GARBAGE IS DEPOSITED, AND THE ACCUMULATION OF
GARBAGE OR OTHER UNSANITARY MATTER WHICH MAY BE
DETRIMENTAL TO THE HEALTH, SAFETY OR WELFARE OF
THE PUBLIC; PROHIBITING THE DISPOSAL OF GARBAGE
OR TRASH EXCEPT BY FACITILIES PROVIDED BY MONROE
COUNTY, FLORIDA; PROVIDING FOR THE USE OF THE COUNTY
DUMP BY INHABITANTS OF SAID COUNTY AND THE PAYMENT
OF FEE THEREFOR; PROVIDING THAT ALL RESIDENCES,
PLACES OF BUSINESS, APARTMENT HOUSES, UNITS OR
DWELLINGS IN MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA, SHALL BE SUB-
JECT TO THE SERVICES PROVIDED HEREIN AND PAYMENT
OF FEE THEREFOR; PROVIDING PENALTIES FOR THE VIOLA-
TION OF THE PROVISIONS HEREOF; PROVIDING THAT THE
PROVISIONS HEREOF SHALL NOT BE APPLICABLE IN ANY
MUNICIPALITY WITHIN MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA; AND
PROVIDING WHEN THIS ORDINANCE SHALL TAKE EFFECT.
DATED at Key West, Florida this 7th day of October, 1974.
RALPH W. WHITE
Clerk of the Circuit Court of
Monroe County, Florida, and ex
officio Clerk of the Board of
County Commissioners of Monroe
County, Florida.
(SEAL)
Publish: Wednesday, October 9, 1974.
~ttrttal1! llf ~tatt
STATE OF FLORIDA
THE CAPITOL
TALLAHASSEE 32304
(904) 488-3918
~~15~cnur
SECRETARY OF STATE
Dorothy W. Glisson
November 4, 1974
Honorable Ralph W. White
Clerk of Circuit Court
Post Office Box 1680
Key West, Florida 33040
Dear Mr. White:
Pursuant to the provisions of Section 125.66, Florida Statutes,
this will acknowledge receipt of Monroe County Ordinance No. 74-9
which was received and filed in this office on Novanber 4, 1974.
Kindest regards.
Cordially,
DOROTHY W. GLISSON
Secretary of State
~~
By
(Mrs.) Nancy Kavanaugh
Chief, Bureau of Laws
NK; mp