Policy Text
1 (08/28 /2017 ) ST. PETERSBURG POLICE DEPARTMENT
GENERAL ORDER
Subject: ENVIRONMENTAL INVESTIGATIONS
Index as: Commercial Dumping Garbage Littering
Commercial Rubbish Garden Trash Non-combustibles
Dump Industrial Waste Residential Dumping
Dumping, Garbage Litter Rubbish Rubbish Dumping
Environmental Investigations
Accreditation Standards:
Cross Reference : City Code, Article V, Division I - Solid Waste Collection, Disposal, Etc.
Sections 27-464 and 2 7-465, Definitions and Unlawful Disposal of Refuse
§403.413 , F.S.S. (“Florida Litter Law” )
Replaces : I.O. V.3:4, Environmental Investigations (May 26, 2006)
This Order establishes procedures for conducting environmental investigations. It consists of the following sections:
I. Policy
II. Definitions
III. Environmental Investigations and Reporting
IV. Notifications
I. POLICY
A. The presence of garbage, trash and other detritus, not in the proper container for disposal, leads to unhealthy and
unsightly conditions in the community. The Department will enforce applicable laws and ordinances in the interest of
improving the quality of life for our residents and visitors.
B. Unless authorized by law or permit, it is u nlawful for any person to dump litter in any manner or amount in or on any
public highway, road, street, alley, or thoroughfare, including any portion of the right -of-way thereof, or any other public
lands, except in containers or areas lawfully provided t here for. It is unlawful when litter:
1. Is thrown from a motor vehicle; in which case the operator or owner of the motor vehicle, or both, shall be in
violation of §403.413 (4)(a), F.S .S.).
2. Is discarded in or on a freshwater lake, river canal, stream or tidal or coastal water. If the litter is thrown or
discarded from a boat, the operator or the owner of the boat, or both, shall be in violation of §403.413 (4)(b), F.S. S.
3. Is discarded or thrown on any private property, unless prior consent of the owner has been given and unless
such litter will not cause a public nuisance or be in violation of any other State or local law, rule or regulation §403.413 (4)(c),
F.S.S.
DATE OF
ISSUE EFFECTIVE DATE NUMBER
August 2017 Immediately V.3:04
Distribution: All Employees
Instructional Order V.3: 04
2 (08/28 /2017 ) C. Unlawful Disposal of Refuse (City Ordinance Section 27-465)
1. It shall be unlawful to deposit garbage, industrial waste, garden trash, tree trimmings, non -combustibles or
rubbish upon the premises of another or upon any street, alley, park or other public property, or in any canal, water,
waterway, rock pit, pool or lake within the City, or in any garbage or rubbish container upon which any other person shall
have paid the collection fee as provided by this article; however, tenants of multiple -dwellings, commercial businesses or
institutional establishments may depos it garbage or rubbish in containers upon which the owner or manager of the multiple -
dwellings, commercial businesses or institutional establishments shall have paid the collection fee as provided in this artic le,
and authorized the tenants to use such garb age or rubbish containers.
2. Notwithstanding the foregoing, garbage or rubbish from residences serviced by alley collections sharing
containers with other residences may be deposited in other residential containers located in the same City block, provided
that the container is a multi -use container and the collection fee shall have been paid on such containers by the residence
generating such garbage or rubbish.
II. DEFINITIONS
A. Commercial Rubbish – Waste accumulation of dust, paper, paper cartons, cardboard, cardboard cartons, excelsior,
rags, or other accumulations other than garbage or household rubbish, which are usually attendant to the operation of
stores, offices and similar businesses.
B. Dump – To dump, throw, discard, place, deposit or dispose of.
C. Garbage – Waste accumulation and animal and vegetable matter which attends the preparation, use, cooking,
processing, handling or storage of meats, fish, fowl, fruits, vegetables or other matter whi ch is subject to decomposition,
decay, putrefaction and the generation of offensive and noxious gases or odors, or which during or after decay may serve
as breeding or feeding material for flies, insects or animals.
D. Garden Trash – Waste accumulation of la wn, grass, shrubbery or dry leaf rakings, free of dirt, rocks, large branches
and bulky, noncombustible material.
E. Industrial W aste – Waste accumulation of metal, metal products, minerals, chemicals, rocks, cement, asphalt, tar,
oil, grease, glass, crocker y, rubber, tires, bottles, cans, lumber, ashes, sawdust, wastes from animal packing or
slaughterhouses, or other materials usually created by commercial enterprise, but not garbage, household rubbish or
commercial rubbish.
F. Litter – Any garbage; rubbish; t rash; refuse; can; bottle; box; container; paper; tobacco product; tire; appliance;
mechanical equipment or part; building or construction material; tool; machinery; wood; motor vehicle or motor vehicle part;
vessel; aircraft; farm machinery or equipment