Mowing / Garbage Laws

The City of Decatur provides residential garbage collection service through its licensed independent haulers for the collection and disposal of garbage, refuse and yard waste within the City. Contact the City's Environmental Standards Technician at 424-2784 or by email to find out which hauler is assigned to your area.

DEFINITIONS

Garbage is defined as refuse resulting from the handling, processing, preparation, cooking, and consumption of food or food products.

Refuse includes any discarded matter, including but not limited to garbage, sweepings, landscape waste, paper, cardboard, tin cans, ashes, bottles and similar other accumulations. This does not include special waste as defined by the Illinois Pollution Control Board and waste from the construction, demolition or remodeling of structures.

Yard Waste is defined as accumulations of grass or shrubbery cuttings, leaves, tree limbs, and other materials as the result of lawn care. Limbs, branches, and wood set out for collection must be tied securely in bundles not more than 48 inches in length and 35 pounds in weight.

SERVICE OPTIONS

Once a Week Collection - $15.70 per month. This option includes once a week "back-door" service which allows up to o three (3) 32 gallon cans per pick up. Cans must not weigh more than 35 lbs. when full or you can purchase a 90 gallon toter from your hauler. This option includes once a week - year round yard waste pick-up. There is no limit on yard waste collection.

Basic Residential Service - $18.25 per month. This includes twice a week "back door" service which allows up to three (3) 32 gallon cans per pickup. Cans must not weigh more than 35 lbs. when full. This option includes once a week year round yard waste pickup. There is no limit for yard waste collection.

Minimum Removal Service - This option is for persons with little garbage accumulation. There is no monthly fee. The customer must purchase a minimum of ten (10) bags for $23.00. When bag is full, it must be placed at the street or alley in an approved container when full. Bags must be purchased every twelve (12) months to remain on this service. This option does not include yard waste pick up.

Large Item Pickup - Once a week collection and Basic Residential Service options include free removal each year of one (1) household appliance (such as a stove, refrigerator, dishwasher, etc...) and five (5) other items that are too large to fit in a garbage container. You must notify your hauler in advance. All items must be placed at the curb.

Yard Waste - must be in paper compost bags or 15 to 32 gallon containers marked with "Yard Waste Only" stickers and placed 3 feet from the curb or alley line, whichever location is established. Stickers can be obtained from your hauler or from the City of Decatur at the Water Customer Service window.

BASIC RATES

Single Family	1 time per week	$15.70 per month
Single Family	2 times per week	$18.25 per month
Duplex	2 times per week	$27.60 per month
Triplex	2 times per week	$34.70 per month
Fourplex	2 times per week	$43.25 per month
Fiveplex	2 times per week	$51.70 per month
Sixplex	2 times per week	$60.30 per month
Bag Service (no yardwaste)		$2.30 per bag

BASIC CUSTOMER & HAULER RULES

It is against the law to share service with another household. It is considered theft of service and if caught, fines of up to $500 (plus court costs) could be imposed.

Missed stops on your regularly scheduled day should be reported to your hauler immediately. This will allow ample time for the driver to return.

Haulers can charge additional fees for extra bags or unusual items (due to recent rate increases at the landfills). You should call in advance to make arrangements.

Haulers should handle garbage containers and lids with care. Cans should be thoroughly emptied and then returned to where they were placed for collection, with no spills.

Once a year each residential customer can interrupt service for a minimum two month period. This must be arranged with your hauler to prevent billing problems.

Garbage trucks should be covered to prevent garbage spills and/or leaks from refuse removal vehicles.

Rental property is the responsibility of the property owner. Therefore, the hauler may request service to be in the property owner’s name.

Property owners are responsible for contacting the hauler when their property becomes vacant to prevent billing errors.

Garbage collection hours are from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. in residential areas and between 5:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. in all other areas.

Haulers and customers should strive to treat each other with the utmost courtesy. At any rate, if a problem arises, the customer and hauler should try to come to an agreement. For further assistance call the City's Environmental Standards Technician at 424-2784 or by e-mail.

Homeowners...REMEMBER..
Your property is your responsibility.

Keeping your property maintained will help beautify your neighborhood as well as the City.

Refer to City Code - Chapters 48 & 56 and Promulgated Regulations or contact the Environmental Standards Technician at 424-2784 for more detailed information.

** Effective October 1, 2000; landscape waste may not be burned anywhere within the corporate limits of the City of Decatur **