Effective August 27, a new ordinance adopted by the City Council will make disposing of personal or business trash into City or private trash bins or dumpsters illegal in the City of Brookings. This type of illegal activity is costly for everyone, and in the City's case, uses valuable staff time to keep litter containers available for legitimate purposes.
The existing regulation allows for a 90-day abatement process. The new ordinance omits this lengthy process by authorizing City staff to cite people who scatter or dump trash on public or private property directly into Municipal Court.
If the suspected offender is found guilty, the court can levy fines and/or issue immediate cleanup orders. In instances where trash is scattered on private property, the court can also require the cost of cleanup to be assessed upon the property owner.
Enforcement of private party trash bin regulations will be by complaint.