Supervisor McGoldrick introduces neighborhood beautification legislation

By Judith Ghougassian

June 29, 2006

Supervisor Jake McGoldrick introduced Citywide Neighborhood Beautification legislation at Tuesday's Board of Supervisor's meeting. The legislation aims to require San Francisco residents to put all garbage, recycling, and compost containers out of public view after regular weekly garbage collection.

"This legislation is very important to making San Francisco a cleaner and healthier place to live," McGoldrick explained.

The legislation aims to ensure garbage cans, or any other receptacles are placed in an enclosed area, or as far from the sidewalk, street, or dedicated public right-of-way as possible. All trash receptacles must be moved off of sidewalks within 24 hours of collection.

"You leave your garbage container out for days on end and if you're not continuously clearing the garbage cans there's a lot of people rummaging through it at night, and that's where a lot of the health issues come in," said Cassandra Costello, Legislative Aid to Supervisor McGoldrick.

Costello said the Supervisor's office received several complaints from Richmond district residents prompting the legislation.

The legislation has been introduced for health reasons as well protecting neighborhood aesthetics.

Residents who unable of designating a space for the receptacles based on hardship, feasibility, or practicality, the legislation will allow residents to submit a written request for a waiver to the Director of Public Works. Costello said this is an important part of the legislation.

Violators are subject to fines of at least $80-$100. Repeat offenders may be subject to increased fines.

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