Council gives first reading to ordinance restricting trash carts on sidewalks to improve ADA clearance

On Feb. 18 the Dallas City Council gave Ordinance 19 o 4 its first reading. The ordinance amends Dallas City Code section 4.786 to address placement of solid waste, recycling and yard debris receptacles and to preserve continuous ADA-compliant pedestrian passage on sidewalks.

Under the proposed amendment subsection 4 would prohibit placing residential carts on sidewalks; instead carts may be placed on the street within 4 feet of the curb. On streets without curbs, carts should be placed at the edge of the street pavement outside travel lanes, staff said. The presenter noted current ADA guidance requires 48 inches (4 feet) of clear width on sidewalks and that rulemaking is considering increasing that to 5 feet.

Councilors raised questions about commercial alleys and dumpsters. Councilor David asked whether the change would require dumpsters and commercial receptacles in alleys to be moved to the curb, noting a specific alley between New Morning Bakery and the theater where placing dumpsters curbside would eliminate parking. City staff and legal counsel explained that existing code requires receptacles to be kept so collection service has safe access and that many commercial properties already have designated pickup locations (alleys or on-site) and would not be subject to the residential-cart limitation. Staff said the amendment is aimed primarily at residential carts that block pedestrian travel on sidewalks.

The council voted to pass the ordinance on first reading; no second reading was scheduled during the meeting. Council discussion did not result in amendments; staff said the provision would not change established commercial pickup arrangements.