Anchorage Municipal Code 17.20 requires trash containers to be bear-resistant or stored inside a secure structure during bear season (April 1 to October 31). Violations carry fines up to 300 dollars per incident.
Under AMC 17.20 (the Wildlife Attractant Ordinance), trash bins kept outside residences between April 1 and October 31 must be IGBC-certified bear-resistant, stored inside a fully enclosed garage, or secured in a shed with a locking door. Loose bags, open cans, and unsecured carts are prohibited. The ordinance treats trash as a wildlife attractant alongside pet food, bird seed, meat smokers, and unsecured freezers. Carts may only sit at the curb between 4:00 AM on pickup day and 10:00 PM of the same day. Year-round, trash containers must be kept in good repair (no broken lids, no overflowing bags), and property owners are responsible for cleaning up wind-scattered debris. Renters share liability with owners. Solid Waste Services and Animal Care and Control jointly enforce the ordinance. Repeat violations in a single year can trigger civil penalty escalation under AMC 14.60.
Contact your local code enforcement office for specific penalty information.
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See how Anchorage's trash bin storage rules stack up against other locations.
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