ticketing for leaving supercans, recycling bins, and cars in the alleys

From ANC 5C04 Commissioner John Salatti:

I just want to confirm some of the recent postings that have urged people not to leave supercans, recycling bins, or vehicles in the alley. Under DC law, all cans must be out of the public rights of way (alleys & sidewalks) by the evening of trash pick-up day. For most of Bloomingdale, pick-up day is Wednesday. So certainly by Thursday morning every can left in an alley is subject to a $75 ticket. DPW does not always enforce that law, but the inspectors have been doing so more regularly recently. Inspectors have told me that they tend to concentrate on alleys where the cans tend to be scattered about. Perhaps the city needs the revenue, perhaps the Dept. is trying to do its job to clean up the alleys (and prevent the cans from being used by drug dealers to stash drugs).

But whatever the reason, DPW has the right to ticket. So to avoid an unpleasant ticket, please remove your supercans and recycling bins from the alleys as soon as you can. And to be out of the public right of way in an alley means that the can must be behind a lamp post or telephone pole.

Someone asked how DPW knows who to ticket. The answer is that every can is embossed with a serial number and that number is assigned to a specific address. So the inspectors know exactly which owner to ticket.

And what goes for supercans and recycling bins goes double for vehicles. Any vehicle left in the alley is subject to ticketing from DPW Parking Enforcement and from police.

Thomas St NW resident receives DPW fine for leaving supercan in alley too long after collection

See this message from a Thomas Street NW resident:

I got a $75 fine from the department of public works last week for leaving our supercan out too long. I would have thought a first warning would be fair, but I guess these are revenue-seeking times. May it serve as a reminder for others. ANC Commissioner John Salatti confirms that DPW does issue such fines and that bins need to be in by Thursday morning in this neck of the woods.