City Council mandates dumpsters for multifamily developments with three units or more

A proposed code amendment aimed at streamlining waste management for multi-family developments took center stage at the Santaquin City Planning Commission meeting on April 22, 2025. The new requirement mandates that all multi-family buildings with three or more units must provide dumpsters, a move designed to enhance accessibility for emergency services and simplify utility management.

City officials highlighted ongoing challenges faced by police and fire departments in accessing townhomes cluttered with individual trash cans. The utility department also noted the complications of creating separate accounts for trash collection. By requiring dumpsters, the city aims to alleviate these issues, aligning the dumpster requirement with existing regulations for water master meters, which also apply to buildings with three or more units.

During the public hearing, questions arose regarding the financial responsibility for the dumpsters, with officials confirming that homeowners' associations (HOAs) would typically cover these costs. The discussion also clarified that while some fourplexes may not have an HOA, the new regulations would necessitate one due to the master meter requirement.

This amendment reflects the city’s commitment to improving infrastructure and service efficiency in growing residential areas. As Santaquin continues to develop, the implementation of these new dumpster requirements is expected to foster better waste management practices and enhance community safety.