New Litter Ordinance Will Keep City Streets Clean

Nov 1st, 2006

Mayor Sam Jones is cracking down on litter bugs by putting more teeth into litter enforcement in the City of Mobile.

The current fine for littering is $78.00 fine. The Mayor is trying to pass an ordinance to change that fee to a minimum of $250 and a maximum of $500.
“We want the citizen stakeholders to have a city free of litter that they can be proud of,” said Mayor Jones. “It is not our goal to issue fines; it’s our goal to have a clean city. Enforcement is the best way to deter litter bugs.”

The ordinance will cover a variety of situations such as illegal dumping, throwing trash from cars, having trash in your yard, and sweeping litter into the street. The City of Mobile is also making sure people have other place to dispose of trash. Two hundred trash receptacles will be placed throughout the city next to bus stops, restaurants and other spots where people tend to litter.
The fines are also increasing for people caught putting ads on public right-of-ways. Officials say any type of litter brings down the image of the city.

The ordinance will be up for a vote at the Mobile City Council meeting on Tuesday, November 7 (10:30 a.m. in the Auditorium of Government Plaza). It will take effect January 1st.