Can my neighbor throw garbage in my can? Toss trash in the street? See Fresno’s rules
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Neighborhood Nuisances in Fresno
A multi-part series by The Fresno Bee
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Can I be fined for throwing a loud party in Fresno? See city rules about noise
My neighbor’s dog barks all night. What can I do about it? See Fresno rules for pets
Can my neighbor throw garbage in my can? Toss trash in the street? See Fresno’s rules
Can I report my neighbor for setting off fireworks in Fresno? What to know about city rules
Editor’s Note: This is the third in a multi-part series about neighborhood nuisances in the Fresno area.
The city of Fresno is cracking down on illegal dumping.
“Dumping of trash and debris lowers the standards of our neighborhoods and continues to be a challenge throughout the city,” the city said on its website. “It is one of the most frequent complaints from citizens.”
Can your neighbor use your garbage can without permission? Toss trash in the street?
What are the rules for using waste containers?
Here’s what The Fresno Bee found out:
Do I have to sort my trash in Fresno?
Since 2022, the city of Fresno has required residents to separate their trash in three different bins.
Recyclable material such as aluminum beverage containers, glass containers, cardboard and juice cartons go in the blue container, according to the Cleanup Fresno County website.
Organic waste, including food scraps and yard trimmings, should be placed in the green container.
“All other trash” must be disposed of in the gray waste container the county said.
According to The Fresno Bee’s previous reporting there are no penalties for Fresnians only a chance to be more educated.
What are the rules on putting away garbage cans?
According to the city, garbage cans can be placed out on the curb after 6 p.m. the day before collection.
Waste containers must be out by no later than 5:30 a.m. on the day your trash is typically collected.
Carts must be “put away and out of view from the street” no later than 8 p.m. on garbage pickup day, the city said.
“Carts left out on non-service days not only create an unsightly appearance in our neighborhoods, but they can also be a safety hazard or can be stolen if left out,” the city said on its website.
Customers who leave out their trash bins outside of approved hours are subject to citations and fines of $50 to $200, according to the city.
If a trash bin is broken it can be replaced through the FresGo app or website by submitting a request for a broken container.
Can my neighbor use my garbage can without my permission?
According to the city of Fresno’s website, illegal dumping is defined as disposing of garbage on public or private property without written permission.
That includes using your neighbor’s garbage container without asking first.
According to Fresno Municipal Code, “It is a public nuisance for any owner or occupant to allow the accumulation, abandonment or storage of trash, rubbish or junk on private or public property,” the city said on its website.
How can I report illegal dumping?
If you see someone dumping trash illegally, you should write down information about the person such as their physical description and type of materials being dumped, the city said.
Fresno residents can report illegal dumping by visiting the FresGo website or app, and by calling 3-1-1 or 559-621-8400.
If you use the website, you’ll be prompted to search for the address on the map where the illegal dumping is happening
You’ll be asked to fill a questionnaire with questions ranging from the type of trash that is been illegally dumped to the location of the garbage.
You’ll need to include your contact information, including your first name, last name and phone number
What are penalties for dumping in Fresno?
In May, the Fresno County Board of Supervisors approved multiple ordinances that increased fees and impound fees for illegal dumping.
“In addition to a nominal fine for a small item, such as a plastic cup tossed out the window of a car, the costs increase quickly to $1,000 for a larger amount of trash,” The Fresno Bee reported at the time.
A major violation results in a $3,000 fine.
Repeat offenders could lose their vehicles in an impound for up to a month, and face impound fees costing $100 a day or more, The Bee reported.
“ In many cases, the individual responsible for the code violation is given the opportunity to voluntarily correct the situation and comply with current codes without a penalty. If the correction is not made, then the individual may be subject to fines and civil injunctions or other penalties.” said the city on its website.
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