COMMUNITY STANDARDS FOR SOLID WASTE STORAGE AND REMOVAL

Tucson Code ch. 15, art. III

in effect

Tucson Code § 15-10 General applicability.

Sec. 15-10. General applicability. Unless otherwise specifically stated in this section, the standards set forth in this article apply to any person, business or other entity that generates, stores, transports, or processes solid waste. (Ord. No. 10539, § 4, 6-3-08, eff. 7-1-08)

Tucson Code § 15-10.1 Standards for storage and removal of solid waste.

Sec. 15-10.1. Standards for storage and removal of solid waste. (A) Any person, business or other entity that generates refuse or recyclable materials must place the waste materials into the container(s) designated for the property where the waste is generated. Refuse must be removed from the property and transported to a permitted disposal facility frequently enough to maintain sanitary conditions. (B) Containers shall be rigid, durable, corrosion resistant, nonabsorbent, watertight, rodent-proof, easily cleanable, suitable for handling, and equipped with a tight fitting cover that prevents material from overflowing, spilling, or scattering onto surrounding premises. All containers and their enclosures shall be maintained in a sanitary and fire-preventive condition. (C) Each residential or commercial establishment that generates waste must have sufficient capacity in a sufficient number of containers to contain all waste with the lid closed. Except in the case of bulky material collection, storage of solid waste outside a container at the point of collection is prohibited. (D) Each residential or commercial establishment where the volume of solid waste generated cannot be conveniently contained in APC containers with capacity of three hundred (300) gallons or less shall obtain collection service in metal containers. (E) Each dwelling unit must have a minimum of forty-five (45) gallons of refuse container capacity available for use during the period between scheduled collection services. The director may waive capacity standards on a case-by-case basis. (F) Garbage must be placed in plastic bags that are tightly closed. (G) The director or designee may enter any property where waste is generated to inspect containers or stored solid waste for compliance with the requirements of this code. (Ord. No. 10539, § 4, 6-3-08, eff. 7-1-08; Ord. No. 10674, § 2, 6-2-09, eff. 7-1-09; Ord. No. 10986, § 1, 5-22-12, eff. 7-1-12)

Tucson Code § 15-10.2 Prohibited materials.

Sec. 15-10.2. Prohibited materials. (A) Prohibited materials may not be placed in refuse or recycling containers, in bulky material piles, in collection equipment, or in disposal facilities. Prohibited material is any waste which because of its amount, size, concentration, physical, chemical or infectious characteristics may pose a threat to human health or the environment as determined by the director. (B) Prohibited materials include but are not limited to materials prohibited by state or federal law and materials that the director designates in administrative rule. (Ord. No. 10539, § 4, 6-3-08, eff. 7-1-08)

Tucson Code § 15-10.3 Scavenging prohibited.

Sec. 15-10.3. Scavenging prohibited. No person shall scavenge or otherwise disturb solid waste placed out for collection by a collection agency. Once placed out for collection solid waste becomes the property of the collection agency. (Ord. No. 10539, § 4, 6-3-08, eff. 7-1-08)

Tucson Code § 15-10.4 Hauling of solid waste.

Sec. 15-10.4. Hauling of solid waste. It is a civil infraction for any person to haul or cause to be hauled on or along any public street or alley any refuse unless it shall be contained in vehicles or receptacles so constructed and maintained to prevent the contents from falling, leaking, spilling or being otherwise lost or ejected from such vehicle or receptacle, and to prevent flies, insects or rodents from having access to contents. Each such vehicle or receptacle shall have securely fastened thereto a cover, which may be a tarpaulin, netting or similar material, of sufficient density and strength as to prevent ejection or loss of any refuse from the vehicle or receptacle. Every person hauling any refuse on or along any street or alley shall replace immediately in the conveyance used for such hauling any of the contents which fall into or upon any street, alley or public or private property. (Ord. No. 10539, § 4, 6-3-08, eff. 7-1-08)

Tucson Code § 15-10.5 Commercial recycling facilities.

Sec. 15-10.5. Commercial recycling facilities. Property used as a multi-material recycling center, sorting facility, composting facility, materials recovery facility, and the like is exempt from the prohibitions of Tucson Code chapter 16 pertaining to uncontained refuse, debris, recyclable materials or vegetation as long as the materials are kept within the property barriers or fences on the property and the property and business operations are properly zoned and permitted by the city, county or state and in compliance with Tucson Code section 16-13. Refuse, debris, recyclable materials or vegetation are only exempt under this section if they are properly contained or stored for use as a commodity, are not waste materials produced by the enterprise for landfill disposal, are maintained in accordance with applicable sections of Tucson Code chapter 16 (as for composting), and are so maintained as to prevent any fire, health or safety hazard to the occupants of the property or to neighboring inhabitants, structures, or property. (Ord. No. 10539, § 4, 6-3-08, eff. 7-1-08)

Source: City of Tucson, Tucson Code (Charter and General Ordinances) and Unified Development Code (American Legal Publishing, codelibrary.amlegal.com)URL: https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/tucson/latest/tucson_az/0-0-0-10738Fetched: 10/28/2026