March 13, 2005
Know Garbage Rules to Avoid a Ticket

Fort Worth residents must follow city rules for setting out garbage, recyclables, yard trimmings, brush and bulky items for pickup. Rules are designed to keep the city looking clean, prevent litter and allow workers to do their jobs without injuring themselves or damaging your property.

Residents who don’t follow the rules may receive a courtesy notice, a notice of violation or a citation.

~Courtesy Notice~
A courtesy notice is a flier or brochure containing general information about the city’s trash program or a planned service change. City employees, the city’s contractor Waste Management or neighborhood volunteers may give courtesy notices, which carry no penalty. Courtesy notices are meant to make residents aware of the rules and provide information.

~Notice of Violation~
A notice of violation is a warning that something is wrong and needs to be corrected. City code enforcement officers issue the red notices of violation to identify problems and give residents a period of time -- usually 24 or 48 hours-to correct them. Examples of violations include placing garbage bags outside or on top of the brown garbage cart, putting garbage or other non-recyclables in the blue recycling cart, failing to remove carts from the curb on time, storing carts where they can be seen from the street in front of the home or placing bulky items on the curb outside of your designated bulky pickup week.

~Citation~
Residents who do not take action to correct violations will receive a citation, or ticket. A misdemeanor citation can carry up to a $2,000 fine per violation per day. A citation is pink and is delivered in person or by certified mail. Instructions on the back indicate residents must either pay the fine or appear in court within 11 days of the citation date.

Generally, residents would receive a notice of violation before receiving a citation. However, for gross violations, code officers may issue a citation immediately.

~Garbage Bag Sticker~
Code officers place a bright orange sticker on each garbage bag left outside or on top of the brown garbage cart. The sticker indicates that a garbage bag outside the garbage cart is in violation of city ordinance, your water account has been charged $10 for collection and disposal of the excess bag, and provides instructions for pickup of the bag on your next garbage day.

Garbage bags are not allowed outside the cart except on certain holidays. To view garbage holidays visit http://www.fortworthgov.org/dem/new_garbage_holidays.htm and when residents use special, pre-paid bags known as Pay Bags. For additional information on Pay Bags visit http://www.fortworthgov.org/dem/news110104b.htm .

Residents who follow the rules for setting out their trash have nothing to worry about. If you have questions about the rules or any other trash-related issue, call 817-392-EASY (3279) or visit Environmental Management's web site at http://www.fortworthgov.org/dem/index.htm.