If you recently got ticketed for leaving your trash can out – you’re in luck!!

Team PoPville always on your side!!

From DPW:

“The Department of Public Works (DPW) has dismissed all Notice of Violations (NOV) issued for solid waste containers being in public space at the wrong time for those who had not previously received a warning. The dismissal applies to 377 citations issued between February 19 (Presidents’ Day) and May 15. Moving forward, DPW’s Solid Waste and Education Enforcement Program (SWEEP) inspectors will issue warnings for this violation type prior to issuing a citation, which carries a $75 fine.

While this regulation has been enforced steadily by DPW’s SWEEP inspectors, including 3,310 warnings and 2,580 citations issued in the last fiscal year (FY17), DPW is committed to being responsive to the residents we serve. After corresponding with a number of residents on this issue, it became clear that we needed to expand our outreach and education to residents about the regulation. Along with converting 377 citations into warnings, DPW has stepped up its public education efforts on this and other requirements related to how residents should properly prepare their trash and recyclables for collection. Among our public outreach efforts, one-hundred and twenty thousand households serviced by DPW were recently mailed a postcard with information on when their bins can and cannot be in public space.

As a reminder, trash and recycling bins may not be brought out onto public space before 6:30 pm on the day prior to collection, and must be removed from public space by 8 pm on the scheduled collection day. This regulation stems from the Litter Control Administration Act of 1985 and helps keep our city clean by ensuring residents and business owners do their part to maintain the space in and around their property. The regulation also keeps sidewalks, roads, and alleyways passable and safe.

For residents who are physically unable to move their trash and recycling bins, DPW provides hardship collection services. For these residents, our crews collect the containers from their storage locations and return them after they have been emptied. If you, or someone you know, would benefit from this service, application is available on our website.

Frequently Asked Questions:

How do I have my citation dismissed for this violation?

The dismissal of your violation will happen automatically; you don’t need to do anything. If you have already paid for a citation that has since been dismissed, please call our SWEEP office at 202-645-7190. SWEEP will process the refund as quickly as possible, however, we are unable to give an exact timeframe on when the funds will be restored to your account.

I received a ticket for another violation, will this also be dismissed?

No, this only applies to tickets issued for having a trash or recycling bin out in a public space during the wrong time from February 18, 2018–May 15, 2018.

For the purposes of this regulation, what is considered public space?

Public space is the area immediately adjacent to your property line.

Going forward, if I receive a warning and then a citation for this regulation, how may I appeal it?

Directions on how to contest the violation are printed on the back of the ticket.

When is the latest I can put my trash and recycling bins out for collection?

DPW asks that bins be put out for collection by 6 am on your collection day.

Who should I contact if I have further questions?

Please email DPW at [email protected], or call (202) 673-6833.