The City of Atlanta Department of Public Works and Bureau of Code Compliance are diligently working to address the issue of illegal dumping throughout the city. As part of the Department of Public Works’ routine daily pick up service, they work with the community and Code Compliance to identify and respond to bulk waste/illegal dumping situations accordingly.
There are three categories of bulk waste/illegal dumping:
(1) Bulk waste scheduled for pick up at the customer’s request.
(2) Bulk waste left in the public right-of-way by someone other than the property owner and may be considered illegal dumping.
(3) Private property dump sites where dumping has occurred on a private lot. These cases are handled by the City’s Department of Planning and Community Development/Bureau Code Compliance in conjunction with the courts system.
PUBLIC RIGHT-OF-WAY BULK WASTE
The Department of Public Works has the responsibility and authority for the City’s public rights-of-way (streets and sidewalks). Public Works responds to approximately 500 requests of bulk waste piles per week throughout the City of Atlanta. Piles may be reported by our crews during their regular pick up routes, as well as by property owners and others. As bulk waste items are reported they are handled based on resource availability.
PRIVATE PROPERTY ILLEGAL DUMPING
The Bureau of Code Compliance is responsible for responding to illegal dumping complaints on private property. The Bureau’s enforcement capability (notice followed by citation and re-citation if necessary) is strictly outlined by the Atlanta Housing and Commercial/Industrial Codes. The process for reporting illegal dumping is:
- The Bureau responds to illegal dumping complaints by identifying the property owner.
- Once the owner is determined, Notices of Violation are either hand-delivered or mailed giving the owner a specific deadline to remove the debris.
- If the debris is not removed upon re-inspection, the owner is issued a citation into Housing Court.
- The owner will be fined until the property is brought into compliance. The fees are structured to become progressively costly for repeat offenders.
HOW TO REPORT BULK WASTE/ILLEGAL DUMPING
The City needs the help of residents and neighbors to report illegal dumping. Residents are encouraged to:
1.) Call 911 if you see someone illegally dumping
2.) Call the Department of Public Works if the garbage is in the public right-of-way (404.333.6333)
3.) Call the Bureau of Code Compliance if the garbage is on private property (404.330.6190)
Please see the attached Bureau of Code Compliance private property illegal dumping stats since January 1, 2004.
###
For more information about this and services of the City of Atlanta visit our website at www.atlantaga.gov or watch City Channel 26