Shepherdsville council adopts ordinance requiring fences around road-visible dumpsters with written mayoral exemptions

The Shepherdsville City Council unanimously approved an amendment to the city’s dumpster-fence ordinance, clarifying that businesses must enclose dumpsters if they can be seen from any roadway or neighboring property.

Catherine read ordinance 025006, which amends earlier ordinance 018269 (codified in Shepherdsville Code §51.03) by clarifying that section 6 applies to dumpsters visible from roadways or adjacent properties regardless of where the dumpster sits on a parcel. The amendment also exempts dumpsters located on the premises of the Bullitt County Detention Center and any dumpster for which the mayor grants a written hardship exemption.

Council member Bonnie Emmerse sponsored the ordinance. Bonnie moved to approve; Rob seconded. In a roll-call vote Brenda, Faith, Mike, Bonnie, Rob and Jennifer all voted yes. The ordinance includes a severability clause, repeal/conflict language and a publication requirement.

Council members said the purpose is aesthetic and safety-focused rather than punitive: to reduce visible trash enclosures near apartment complexes and roadways and to provide a consistent process for waivers and enforcement. The city will prepare a standard exemption/waiver form for mayoral exceptions to ensure written documentation is available to businesses and code enforcement.

The ordinance was adopted at first/second reading as read (meeting record shows motion and vote). Council directed staff to prepare the waiver form and to communicate requirements to affected businesses.