The purpose of this article is to promote the recycling of yard
wastes and certain kitchen wastes through composting and to establish
minimum standards for proper compost maintenance.
As used in this article, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated in this section:
COMPOSTING
The organic waste produced from the growing, trimming and
removal of grass, branches (not exceeding one inch in diameter), bushes,
shrubs, plants, leaves and garden debris. Kitchen waste shall be any
uncooked plant matter not contaminated by or containing meat, fish
and/or dairy products.
All compost piles shall be maintained using approved composting
procedures to comply with the following requirements:
A. All compost piles shall be enclosed in a freestanding compost bin.
Each compost bin shall be no larger in volume than 125 cubic feet
and shall be no taller than 42 inches.
B. All compost bins shall be so maintained as to prevent the attraction or harborage of rodents and pests. The presence of rodents in or near a compost bin shall be cause for the Village to proceed under Chapter
497, Rodent Control, of the Code of the Village.
C. All compost bins shall be so maintained as to prevent unpleasant
odors.
D. No compost bin shall be allowed to deteriorate to such condition
as to be a blighting influence on the surrounding property or neighborhood
or the Village in general.
E. Setbacks.
(1) All compost bins shall be located not less than three feet from a
property line or principal building or dwelling and three feet from
any detached accessory building.
(2) A variance from these setback requirements may be applied for if
the property owner(s) can show a hardship exists which prohibits compliance.
In addition, any variance application must include a signed written
approval of the variance request from the adjacent property owner(s).
Variances can be granted by the Building Inspector on an annual basis
upon the proper application being submitted by the property owner(s).
Screening and/or fencing of compost bins may be required as a condition
of a variance being granted.
F. No compost bin shall be located in any yard except a rear yard, as defined in the Village Zoning Code (see Chapter
715). A compost bin may be located in a side yard as defined in the Village Zoning Code subject to the annual variance procedure contained in Subsection
E(2) above and must be screened from view to the street.
G. Those composting
bins which existed prior to the adoption of this article shall be
given one year to comply with the requirements set forth herein.
Every owner or operator shall be responsible for maintaining
all property under his or her control in accordance with the requirements
of this article.
Any municipal composting site maintained by the Village shall
be exempt from the provisions of this article.