In
an effort to resolve what has become a growing problem in many areas of Metro
Louisville and protect local nonprofit organizations, the Louisville Metro
Council has approved a new ordinance to regulate donation bins. The new law
sets specific guidelines for licensing, location and maintenance for donation
bins operated by for-profit and non-profit companies and organizations.
Metro Council members became aware of the problem earlier this year when
complaints began to arise over donation bins which were appearing on street
corners and articles of clothing and other items were being left outside of the
bin making it a dumping location.
The
complaints ranged from bins not being clearly marked as to which organization
was represented to bins popping up on street corners in many areas where the
public view of streets, roads and sidewalks were blocked. This ordinance
requires each bin to clearly identify which organizations are responsible for
the bins, so that the public will know beforehand exactly what groups are
asking for donations.
Highlights
of the new ordinance:
·
Licensing
fees: The fee to obtain a license is an initial cost of $250 per company and
$200 for annual renewal. The fee to obtain a permit is an initial cost of $300
per donation drop-off bin and $200 for annual renewal. A permit must be
obtained for every donation drop-off bin that a person, owner, operator, or
legal entity owns. Each donation drop-off bin shall display a current permit at
all times. There will be no more than five bins per solicitor per district.
·
Bins
must sit on a hard and durable surface, be placed 50 feet from the front door
of the building where licensed or in a well-lit area, the bin must be no more
than six feet in height by six feet in width and five feet in depth. The bin
must not interfere with the public view of a roadway or sidewalk.
·
The
bin must be clearly marked as a for profit bin. The lettering must be 3 inches
high and a half inch wide
·
The
bins must be emptied on a regular basis. Bin must have a latch closing door,
and no items will be permitted to collect on the outside of each structure.
·
The
ordinance will take effect in 60 days upon its passage.
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