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Council adopts $75 downtown annual fee and ordinance to allow long‑term street dumpsters with permit rules
Summary
The Common Council adopted an ordinance and amended fee schedule allowing property owners to request long‑term street‑privilege permits for dumpsters and set a $75 minimum fee for downtown business district permits; the ordinance clarifies owner responsibility, hauler fees and definitions for carts vs. dumpsters.
The La Crosse Common Council amended and adopted an ordinance that establishes a permitting framework and fee schedule for property owners who need to place dumpsters or carts in the public right‑of‑way.
Attorney Maddie explained the change is in response to requests from property owners who lack space for trash receptacles. Under the ordinance, an owner would apply for a street‑privilege permit to the Board of Public Works; the permit application carries a $75 minimum annual fee for long‑term street privileges in the downtown business district. The fee schedule for haulers mirrors the existing $35/week charge (extrapolated to an annual $1,820 where relevant), with lower fees for smaller containers and incentives for shared dumpsters.
Council members debated who ultimately bears the cost. Some members stressed that haulers will likely pass fees to business owners and urged care not to burden small downtown businesses. Council Member McCaleb and others emphasized the need for permitting to protect public safety and to require liability insurance and site plans. Director Gallagher confirmed the owner holds the permit and is responsible under Wisconsin law (citing Wis. Stat. §66.0425); haulers retain their existing weekly fee obligations.
The amendment to set the $75 downtown fee passed (11‑2) and the resolution as amended was adopted by the council (12‑1). The ordinance includes definitions distinguishing wheeled carts (65–95 gallon automated carts) from larger dumpsters (2, 4 or 6‑yard mobile containers) and allows the Board of Public Works discretion to place conditions on permits where public safety or access is a concern.
Council members also noted alternatives remain (private property placement, shared dumpsters, or city parcels) and encouraged outreach to minimize impacts on small businesses.
