Burleson staff proposes limits, permit and maintenance rules for donation containers

City staff presented draft changes Aug. 4 to regulate unattended clothing donation containers and to create a limited exemption for smaller 'blessing boxes.'

Tony McElwain, development services director, said the city’s 20‑year‑old ordinance needs updating to address increased use of large donation containers, associated dumping, graffiti and safety hazards. Staff proposed a dimensional cap for large donation containers at about 512 cubic feet (roughly 8 ft x 8 ft x 8 ft), a suggested maintenance requirement and a $100 permit fee for larger containers; smaller blessing boxes would be exempted up to 40 cubic feet and limited to one per parcel or considered contiguous across a multi‑lot shopping center.

McElwain told council the draft includes a 200‑foot buffer from residential areas for large containers and that staff will work to craft exemptions or explicit allowances for churches, schools and city property. He also noted the safety concern that individuals have become trapped inside larger containers in other cities and suggested manufacturer design considerations be reviewed.

Council members discussed enforcement, whether a property owner or operator should bear responsibility for excess donations and the practicality of signage and routine checks. Staff said current code compliance processes include routine checks and complaint response; staff offered to explore an exemption for owner‑operated non‑profits or city property and to return with revised language and fee options.

No ordinance vote was taken; council directed staff to refine the draft ordinance and return with clarified language and options.