Trash & Recycling in Farmington Hills, MI

Farmington Hills maintains 60 local ordinances across all categories, and 4 of those deal specifically with trash & recycling. Here is a breakdown of what the city actually requires, what is prohibited, and where Farmington Hills falls on the strict-to-permissive spectrum compared to other cities.

Dumpster Rules

Farmington Hills requires every commercial dumpster to be screened from view of adjacent properties and public streets under City Code Sec. 14-5(f). The director of planning and community development reviews and approves the screening design for each establishment.

Key details: Governing section: City Code Sec. 14-5(f). Screening methods: Wall, solid fence, berm, or evergreens. Waiver term: Up to 3 years, renewable. Approving official: Director of planning and community development. Enforcement: Police, public services, planning staff.

Any establishment maintaining an unscreened dumpster in violation of Sec. 14-5(f) without an approved waiver is subject to citation issued by police, public services or planning and community development personnel under Sec. 14-12, with penalties imposed under Sec. 1-13 as referenced in Sec. 14-13.

Recycling Requirements

Farmington Hills has required curbside recycling separation since July 1, 1991 under City Code Sec. 14-6. Owners, lessees and occupants must sort recyclables into the city-owned approved container and set it at the curb on their collection day.

Key details: Governing section: City Code Sec. 14-6. Effective date: July 1, 1991. Container ownership: Remains property of the city. Low-income waiver: Full waiver at ≤$8,000 income. Partial waiver: Half fee at ≤$13,500 income.

Placing nonrecyclable material in the recycling container or failing to separate recyclables under Sec. 14-6 excuses the city and its contractor from collecting the waste at all, in addition to the penalties set under Sec. 1-13 via Sec. 14-13; unauthorized possession of a city-owned container is a separate chapter violation.

Yard Waste Collection

Since July 1, 1991, Farmington Hills has required owners of detached single-family homes to either handle yard waste on their own property without creating a nuisance or separate it for the city's compostable/yard waste program under Sec. 14-7.

Key details: Governing section: City Code Sec. 14-7. Effective date: July 1, 1991. Who is covered: Detached single-family homes. Alternative option: On-property disposal without nuisance. Unpaid fee remedy: Property tax lien after 3 months.

Failing to separate compostables/yard waste from solid waste under Sec. 14-7(b) excuses the city and its contractor from curbside removal of the material, in addition to penalties imposed under Sec. 1-13 as cross-referenced in Sec. 14-13.

Illegal Dumping

Farmington Hills bans burying, dumping or using solid, hazardous or industrial special waste as fill anywhere in the city, prohibits dumping any of it into a lake or stream, and separately bars leaving hazardous waste or hot ashes at the curb for collection under Sec. 14-2.

Key details: Ban covers: Burial, dumping, use as fill, waterway disposal. Curb restriction: No hazardous waste or hot ashes at curb. Scavenging ban: Only owner/occupant/city may take set-out containers. Enforcers: Police, public services, planning departments (Sec. 14-12). First-offense fine: $150 civil infraction minimum.

Sec. 14-13 makes any violation of Chapter 14, including illegal dumping under Sec. 14-2, subject to the penalties in Sec. 1-13, and Sec. 1-25 separately lists Chapter 14 as a civil-infraction chapter. In practice that means a minimum $150 civil fine for a first dumping offense and at least $250 for a repeat within three years under Sec. 1-24, plus costs, unless the conduct is charged as a misdemeanor carrying up to a $500 fine or 90 days under Sec. 1-13.

This is one of the stricter rules in Farmington Hills's municipal code. If you are unsure whether your situation complies, it is worth checking with the city before proceeding.

The Bottom Line

Farmington Hills's trash & recycling rules are a mixed bag. Some areas are strict, others are relaxed, and the details matter. The best approach is to check the specific rule that applies to your situation rather than assuming Farmington Hills is broadly strict or permissive.

Keep in mind that Farmington Hills can amend these rules at any council meeting. For the most current version of any rule mentioned here, check the specific ordinance page, where we track updates as they happen.