Spokane Municipal Code

Title 13 Public Utilities and Services

Chapter 13.02 Solid Waste

Article III. Collection

Section 13.02.0352 Commercial Container Site Location Requirements

1. No permanent dumpster will be delivered until all conditions have been met. 

1. 1. A certificate of occupancy or other departmental approval likewise will not be signed until on-site inspection confirms compliance with this chapter. At all times, it remains the customer’s sole responsibility to obtain such approval, which should not be presumed.

1. Note that for customer convenience other parts of a building project may be approved, but solid waste approval of a site plan as required herein may not be inferred thereby.

1. 2. The department reviews each application and reserves the right to modify the requirements herein or impose additional requirements in the interest of safety, aesthetics and the efficient operation of the department.

1. 1. Because this is a site-specific determination by the department, all customers must obtain specific written approval from the director or designee before construction begins;

1. 3. All damage caused by the site requirements not being met as stated in this section are the sole responsibility of customer and/or property owner. 

2. General conditions to be met:

1. 1. Container to be placed on a firm surface pad of concrete or asphalt at least four inches thick. Use of asphalt is discouraged. Customers are cautioned that asphalt surfaces may sink or become uneven or unserviceable. Use of asphalt is at the customers’ sole risk.

1. 1. 1. If customer generates food or putrescible wastes, conditions for a drain and running water requirements are listed in SMC Section 13.02.0322.  

1. 2. Said container site must have adequate lighting and any other improvements determined necessary by the director of solid waste management and Spokane County health district.

1. 3. The surrounding site-obscuring fence must be a minimum of six feet tall with sturdy gates.

1. 1. 1. The gates must be of construction and design to rest in an open position during pickup so they do not swing shut upon City equipment or personnel.

1. 1. 2. Each gate must include - some sort of latch mechanism to ensure both sides of the gate remain open during entry, dumping process and exit.

1. 1. 3. Each gate must open more than 120 degrees for vehicle maneuvering. 

1. 1. 4. When gates are open, they cannot block lanes of travel, fire lanes, ADA parking stalls or aisles.

1. 1. 5. a sturdy, reliable backstop to prevent damage to back enclosure wall.

1. 4. Customers must provide access and turning space for departmental vehicles.  These requirements include:

1. 1. 1. Space for a collection vehicle turning radius of a minimum of forty-five feet or equivalent vehicle clearance or access if the collection vehicles perform a hammerhead maneuver.

1. 1. 1. 0.  
         1. As used herein, the term “hammerhead” defines a backup pattern of a collection vehicle in the shape of the letter “T”;

1. 1. 2. collection vehicle backup allowance requirement of fifty feet;

1. 1. 3. enclosures housing containers must include space to allow an approach for department collection vehicles sufficient for vehicle ingress and egress.

1. 1. 4. all collection vehicle access routes must have at least fourteen feet vertical height drive clearance and dump clearances of twenty-five feet. 

1. 1. 1. 0.  
         1. Customers are required to remove any vertical height lines or obstacles.

1. 1. 1. 1.  
         2. No overhang or roof extending over the enclosure. 

1. 1. 1. 2.  
         3. all maneuvering must be done on site. No backing out onto streets.

1. 5. An apron or curb cut must be available or provided for departmental use, provided at the customer’s expense.

1. 1. 1. Department collection and delivery vehicles are not designed to “jump” curbs. Where such maneuver occurs as a result of customer failure to provide proper apron or curb cut for vehicle access, the customer is responsible for any damage caused and must pay all costs of curb replacement and repair.

1. 6. Nothing may be stored in the enclosure other than City-owned containers.

1. 1. 1. This includes waste oil/grease buckets, loose cardboard or pop and milk crates.

1. 1. 2. The City will not repair any damages incurred to an enclosure when it is improperly used for storage.

3. Enclosure dimensions for one to six-cubic yard dumpster must meet the following requirements:

1. 1. An enclosure to include one commercial container for refuse only must be twelve feet wide by ten feet deep (interior dimensions) with a clear width opening of twelve feet. 

1. 2. An enclosure to include one commercial container for refuse and to include up to three (3) 90-gallon recycling carts, must be seventeen feet wide by ten feet deep (interior dimensions) with a clear width opening of seventeen feet.

1. 3. There are three options for enclosures with two commercial containers

1. 1. 1. Option A – An enclosure which is twenty feet wide by ten feet deep (interior dimensions) with a clear width opening of twenty feet.

1. 1. 2. Option B – An enclosure which is twenty-five feet wide by ten feet deep (interior dimensions) with TWO clear width openings of twelve feet each.

1. 1. 3. Option C – Two separate enclosures which are twelve feet wide by ten feet deep (interior dimensions) with a clear width opening of twelve feet each.

4. If an enclosure is necessary for a roll off container or compactor, it must meet the following requirements:

1. An enclosure for a roll off container or compactor must have a minimum of a thirteen feet clear width opening.

1. 1. 1. The depth of the compactor enclosure would depend on the compactor purchased.

1. 1. 2. The depth for a roll off container must have a minimum of twenty-five feet.

2. A minimum of thirty inches of walking space must be provided on all sides.

3. Full length guide rails and a secure backstop is required.  The department can provide standard specs.  Please call (509) 625-7871 to obtain. 

5. No temporary containers will be delivered until the following conditions are met:

1. Roll off containers can only be placed after an on-site inspection to ensure that space requirements are fulfilled.

1. 1. Generally, a container will not be placed in the street, in the parking strip, on the sidewalk, or in a handicap parking stall or fire lane.

1. 2. If a customer requires a temporary container to be placed in the street, an obstruction permit must be obtained from, and receipt confirmed by the engineering division or equivalent office at (509) 625-6999 prior to delivery.

1. 3. Container delivery vehicles cannot “jump” curbs. 

2. Additional site conditions and requirements as outlined in Solid Waste Collection’s Temporary Dumpster Information, Special Instructions & Regulations, and Damage Release Form must be met.  Conditions and requirements in listed documents are subject to change. A completed and signed Damage Release Form is required to be on file before temporary containers are placed.   

 

Date Passed: Monday, October 14, 2024

Effective Date: Wednesday, January 1, 2025

ORD C36589 Section 26