Erie, PA Property Maintenance: Trash Bin Storage (2026)

Erie is a third-class city governed by the Third Class City Code (53 P.S. §35101 et seq.); its solid-waste authority traces to that grant and to Article 951 of the local Codified Ordinances (Part 9 - Streets, Utilities and Public Services Code). Article 951 imposes the duty on every owner, tenant, occupant, or other householder of a residential property or apartment within a residential building of four units or fewer to provide compliant receptacles. The size band (3-35 gallons) and the rigid, rust-resistant, watertight, lidded-with-handles specification are designed to defeat the lake-effect rodent and gull issues that come with Erie's bayfront geography; uncovered or torn bag-only set-outs are routinely ticketed because gulls and raccoons scatter the contents. Householders must drain garbage of all liquids and bag it in paper or plastic before placing in the receptacle. Refuse and the receptacle itself may not be placed at curbside more than 24 hours before the designated collection day, and the city expects empty containers to be retrieved after pickup. Enforcement is shared between the Bureau of Refuse and Recycling (Department of Public Works, 814-870-1550) and the Bureau of Code Enforcement under Article 1129, the Quality of Life Ticketing Program (adopted October 17, 2018; per-ticket fee raised from $25 to $100 effective June 6, 2023). Multi-family buildings of more than four units are not served by the city's residential program and must contract privately.