City to Enforce Ordinance Designating Times for Supercan Placement

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~$50 per Day Following Violation Warning~

City residents will need to pay strict attention to the times they put out their Supercan, as well as the time they remove it from the City right-of-way.  Beginning March 11, in accordance with a City Ordinance, residents and property owners will be subject to monetary fines for leaving their Supercans out too long. 
City Code Section 86-44 stipulates Supercans and recycling bins should not be placed out earlier than 4 p.m. on the day before collection and must be removed from the right-of-way by 7 a.m. the day after collection.  The City right-of-way includes sidewalks, alleys and median strips between sidewalks and roadways.  
“The right-of-way is part of a natural corridor contributing to the aesthetic quality and value of our neighborhoods. Removal of our refuse and recycling receptacles after service returns this area to its natural state, providing pedestrian, cycling and vehicular passage in our communities,” said James Jackson, Director of the Department of Public Works. 
For the first violation of the ordinance, the property owner or utility account holder (if they are not the same person) will receive a violation notification sticker on their Supercan. The violator will also receive a letter notifying them of the infringement.  Following notification, violators will be penalized $50 per day for each calendar day the can is not removed, starting the day following the last collection.  For example, if trash is collected on Tuesday and the can is still out after 7 a.m. Wednesday, a sticker will be placed on it and a letter will be sent.  If the resident is still non-compliant as of the date of the letter the fine will be retroactive back to the first day of the violation.  For residents who place out more than one Supercan, a separate $50 per day fee will be imposed for each can.  The fines will be added to the monthly utility statement. 
Each residence can have up to four Supercans with the City providing one can free of charge.  Residents who need additional cans may purchase them for $55 each by calling Customer Care at 3-1-1 or 646-7000.  
For more information on city services and schedules, please visit www.RichmondGov.com.