Porter County moves to require covered loads; ordinance adds penalties for unsecured refuse

The Porter County Board of Commissioners approved a second reading of an ordinance amending Chapter 24 of the county code to add Section 24-25, which requires that all vehicles collecting or transporting refuse, recyclables or other loose materials operating on county roads be maintained and operated to prevent any part of the load from escaping.

Scott, who presented the ordinance at the second reading, summarized the rule: vehicles must be equipped with tight-fitting covers, tarps, gate seals or equivalent containment devices sufficient to prevent garbage, debris or waste from escaping during loading, transporting or unloading. The ordinance makes each separate trip or day on which a violation occurs a separate offense and authorizes citation by an officer of the Porter County Sheriff’s Department or county code enforcement.

The presentation noted the change is intended to complement, not limit, enforcement under state law (Indiana Code 9-21-8-45 concerning unsecured loads) and other applicable provisions. The ordinance also subjects violations to the general penalty provisions of Chapter 1 of the county code unless otherwise provided.

Commissioners voted in favor on the motion at the meeting. The board asked staff to send a copy of the approved ordinance to the sheriff’s office so enforcement personnel are aware of the new county provision.

Next steps: staff will deliver the ordinance to the sheriff’s office and initiate the enforcement process; the county clerk will schedule publication and any remaining administrative steps required for enactment.