Rutland Village Council Passes Garbage Container Ordinance

RUTLAND—An ordinance aimed at reducing litter along Village streets and reducing the risk of rodents has been passed by the Rutland Village Council. Ordinance 2025-23, sponsored by Councilmember Dakota Smith, amends the Rutland Municipal Code by adding provisions requiring Village residents and businesses to ensure garbage is disposed of and secured in containers to prevent spillage or access by animals.

The intent of the ordinance is to curb the practice of setting garbage on the ground along the curbs, not in a trash can, or disposing of trash in "open trash boxes", which can be easily accessed by animals and scattered about on the ground.

The ordinance now requires Village residents and businesses to dispose of their garbage in a garbage can with a lid. Dumpsters will be permitted as long as they are stationed on an asphalt, concrete or limestone surface accessable by a garbage collection vehicle. Open trash boxes or trash bins will no longer be permitted in the Village.

Garbage containers, including dumpster containers, must also not block any berm, curb catch basin, driveway, intersection, mailbox, sanitary water meter or meter lid, storm sewer drain or sidewalk. The ordinance provides if, in the opinion of the Code Enforcement Officer, the location of a dumpster container has the potential to damage any berm, curb catch basin, driveway, intersection, mailbox, sanitary water meter or meter lid, storm sewer drain or sidewalk, he or she may issue written notice ordering the relocation of the container.

A violation of the ordinance constitutes a minor misdemeanor offense, punishable by a maximum $25.00 fine on the first offense, and not more than $50.00 fine on the second and each subsequent offense. The ordinance prohibits the assessment of court costs unless the offender is guilty of a fourth or subsequent offense.

The ordinance becomes effective on Wednesday, September 17, 2025. Mayor Tyler M. Eblin has issued a memorandum to the Code Enforcement Department directing the issuance of warnings only during a thirty-day initial enforcement period to provide an opportunity for Village residents to become acquainted with the new law.