Waste Collection Ordinance Revisions (Chapter 551)

At a glance

Based on auto-generated captions; names and details may be misheard and outcomes incomplete.

• What: Public Works proposes a rewrite of Chapter 551 of the Codified Ordinances (waste collection): updated definitions, civil citation authority for illegal dumping, littering and wrapping and storing trash, new graduated penalties, a longer window to contest tickets and higher hauler license fees.
• Where it stands: presented to the Municipal Services and Properties Committee on 2026-10-12 as a discussion only; the chair said it would not be voted on. The ordinance number was heard as 591 or 551 in the captions.
• Next: staff to give councilmembers a side-by-side comparison of old and new text and to add ticket-writing staff on non-collection days.

Official record (May 11, 2026 minutes)

Minutes-based sections below use the City Council minutes of April 6, May 11 and May 18, 2026. Newest minutes posted are May 18; later Council meetings have agendas only and no committee minutes are posted since April, so later outcomes are not in those sections.

• The ordinance is number 591-2026 (the caption note above that it might be 591 or 551 is settled: it amends Chapter 551). The emergency ordinance amends Sections 551.01 through 551.08, 551.111, 551.191, 551.26, 551.33 and 551.991 of the Codified Ordinances, relating to waste collection and disposal citations.
• It was read and referred to administrative review on May 11, 2026 (first reading). The minutes through May 18 show no vote, so it was still in committee review when the October 12 presentation described above took place.
• Related contracts passed unanimously on May 11 (14-0, Hudson moved, Davis seconded, Bishop absent): Ordinance 470-2026, requirement contracts for transfer and disposal of solid waste (two years with three one-year options), and Ordinance 471-2026, transfer, disposal and processing of recyclable materials (same term); also Ordinance 521-2026, a grant from the Cuyahoga County Solid Waste District for a recycling program.

Proposed changes

• Definitions of municipal solid waste, acceptable containers (automated carts only) and bulk items versus construction material (toilets not accepted; appliances such as refrigerators are bulk).
• Civil tickets for illegal dumping (up to $1,000, and the registered owner of a vehicle seen dumping can be cited), littering, and improper wrapping or storage of trash ($100). Illegal dumping is currently a criminal-only offense.
• Set-out penalties: $25 per item up to four, $200 for five to ten, $350 above ten; carts left out too long $25 per incident instead of $100.
• Time to contest a ticket extended from 20 to 60 days, with hearings brought in-house in 2027: virtual or in person at recreation centers on the west and east sides.
• Waste hauler license fees updated (fleet $1,000, hauling fee $150); about 25 to 30 minor wording changes, mainly "public service" to "public works". Outreach through utility bill flyers and a marketing campaign.

Main concerns

• Councilmember Jones said he is inclined to oppose lowering fines for carts left out, wants enforcement on rental properties, noted about $13 million a year collected in the waste fee, and wants a side-by-side comparison.
• Councilmember Harsh asked who can issue civil tickets (trained employees; foremen in nine districts) and about owners versus account holders; he is wary of fines catching older residents unaware.
• Councilmember Hudson asked how absentee owners and dumping on private property are handled; Councilmember Star asked about outreach to seniors, cameras at dumping hotspots and high-grass enforcement.
• Councilmember Slife (not a committee member) suggested giving waste rules at property disclosure, a warning door hanger, and clarity on contests; staff described second carts by request, Ridge Road drop-off limits and nonprofit partnerships.
• A resident raised at the 2026-10-19 council meeting that residents should be consulted before the limits change (see 2026-10-19 - City Council).

Sources

• City Council minutes, May 11, 2026: https://cityofcleveland.legistar1.com/cityofcleveland/meetings/2026/5/3859_M_City_Council_26-05-11_Meeting_Minutes.pdf
• https://youtube.com/watch?v=5zOa9O7N3Q8

Discussion time

About 66 minutes across 1 meeting (from transcript timestamps; approximate).

Log

2026-10-12 - Municipal Services and Properties Committee

Presentation and about an hour of questions; no vote; penalties, enforcement staffing and outreach debated (captions only; no minutes posted).

2026-05-11 - City Council

Ordinance 591-2026 (Chapter 551 waste collection citations) read and referred to administrative review; solid waste and recycling disposal contracts passed 14-0.