Trash and garbage.

Houston Code of Ordinances § 20-213

in effect

Sec. 20-213. - Trash and garbage. (a) All trash and other solid or liquid waste shall be removed from the machine location as frequently as may be necessary to prevent nuisances and unsightliness, and shall be disposed of in a lawful manner. (b) Self-closing, leak-proof, easily cleanable, insect-proof and rodent-proof waste receptacles shall be provided in the vicinity of each machine or machines to receive used cups, cartons, wrappers, straws, closures, and other items. Plastic bags and wet strength paper bags may be used to line the receptacles. Soiled waste receptacles shall be cleaned at such frequency as is necessary to prevent insect and rodent attraction. Waste receptacles shall not be located within the vending machines, with the exception of those machines dispensing only packaged food with crown closures and ring tabs; in which case, the closure receptacles may be located under counters or otherwise enclosed in a manner that will not create a nuisance or prevent space around and under the counter or enclosure from being easily cleaned and maintained. Suitable racks or cases shall be provided for multiuse containers or bottles. (c) Containers shall be provided within all machines dispensing liquid food in bulk for the collection of drip, spillage, overflow, or other internal wastes. Such machines shall be equipped with an automatic shut-off device at the waste pail or other devices or valves which will place the machine out of operation before the waste pail overflows. Such devices shall prevent water or liquid product from continuously running in the event of the failure of any single control, high level control, or other flow-control device in the liquid product or water system. Controlled location vending machines not connected to a water supply system which generate no internal liquid wastes may be equipped with easily removable drip pans at the dispensing platform in lieu of internal waste containers and automatic shut-off devices. Controlled location vending machines that are connected to a water supply and have no internal waste containers, shall be equipped with at least 2 independently operated controls to prevent the continued flow of water in the event of failure of any single flow-control device. Containers or surfaces on which such wastes may accumulate shall be readily removable for cleaning, shall be easily cleanable, and shall be corrosion-resistant. If liquid wastes from drip, spillage or overflow which originate within the machine are discharged into a sewage system, the connection to the sewer shall be through an air gap. (Code 1968, § 19-613; Ord. No. 83-744, § 1, 5-17-83; Ord. No. 07-1051, §§ 3, 6(Exh. B), 9-12-07)

Source: City of Houston, Code of Ordinances and City Charter (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/tx/houston/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=COOR_CH20FODR_ARTIVVEMA_S20-213TRGAFetched: 10/26/2026