Uncontained trash, junk, and garbage on unincorporated land can be a nuisance violation under Land Use Code Article 14. Waste haulers licensed under Ordinance 2019-3 supply the pay-as-you-throw carts; larger trash carts cost more to discourage waste.
Boulder County does not run curbside collection itself; licensed private haulers do, under the Waste Hauler Ordinance (2019-3). Haulers must use Pay-As-You-Throw pricing, so a bigger trash cart costs more. Separately, Article 14 of the Land Use Code makes accumulated 'rubbish' (trash, junk, garbage) that causes a public hazard or nuisance a code violation on unincorporated land, so trash must be kept in containers rather than piled loose. Definitions and enforcement mirror the property-blight process, with written notice and an abatement period before the county acts. Municipal residents follow their city's container rules instead.
Loose rubbish that becomes a nuisance triggers Article 14: written notice, ordinarily 30 days to abate, then county abatement billed to the owner plus up to a 5% inspection fee, with a 10% penalty if unpaid.
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