The City Says Your Property, Your Trash
By: Brittany Escobar
Updated: November 13, 2012
The city's code department says if its on your property, its your responsibility.
We spoke to several people who live in this apartment complex and they says they are fed up with all these mattresses and trash outside of their dumpster.
"It's been there for a long time now."
Brooke Castles lives in a south Lubbock apartment that has been dealing with piles of trash for more than six months.
"It upsets me to have that garbage sitting out side of the garbage can," said Castles.
There's not just one mattress.
Castles said over the months several have piled up by her dumpster.
"Maybe it's neighbors that have seen it here so they've brought it from other complexes to there," she said.
"We don't know who put it there," said Stuart Walker.
But the city of Lubbock Codes Department said if you're dealing with a problem like Castles it's unfortunately your responsibility.
"The ordinance says if its behind your house its your responsibility to get rid of it," Walker said.
He said anything outside of a dumpster is illegal.
"The city requests that you don't put anything in the alley that won't fit in the dumpster."
But Walker said it's hard to find those who are doing it.
"You probably didn't put that mattress beside your dumpster or you know it just showed up there, we understand that, unfortunately there's not a city program that goes out and picks up bulky items," Walker said.
Your dumpster, your items, whether that's the case or not, and Walker said it comes with a price.
"We write you a notice of violation and give you seven days to get rid of those items."
After seven days you could face a fine anywhere from 40 to hundreds of dollars.
"If it ends up behind your place it's your responsibility," said Walker.
Now if you are dealing with this kind of problem or need somewhere to throw away your bulk items the city does provide us with two convenient stations in the city.
One is at 84th and Avenue P, the other at 801 Municipal Drive.
