Sanitation
GARBAGE AND TRASH
The interior and exterior of every premises must be free from any accumulation of rubbish or garbage.
The tenant and the homeowner must place all garbage and trash in storage containers or in disposal equipment, such as incinerators. They must place their own containers out for City collection. Trash must not be put out before 7:00PM the evening before trash is collected.
In buildings with two or more apartments, the landlord must provide a common storage area for trash and garbage containers or common disposal equipment, such as an incinerator. The landlord must see to it that all shared containers are placed out for collection. The tenant must be careful not to spill garbage and trash in halls or on stairways.
Garbage, not ground or incinerated, must be placed in leak-proof containers with tight-fitting lids. Combustible waste must be placed in covered containers or in sturdy bags that are securely tied. Newspapers and magazines should be tied in bundles.
All containers must be kept clean and sanitary.
RECYCLING
Recycling is the law in Philadelphia. If you don’t recycle, you can be fined.
Residents need to obtain their own recycling container - no larger than 20 gallons in size. Using multiple containers is okay, as long as they are used only for recycling set-out. A free recycling container may be available to city residents at any one of the Department of Street’s Sanitation yards (call 215-685-7329)
The City will collect recycling curbside at residential buildings of six or fewer dwelling units.
Owners of buildings with more than six dwelling units are responsible for providing recycling services through their own means. Usually, this means through a private contract with a recycling service provider. Owner’s of condo and co-op buildings may elect to register with a Streets Department program.
Landlords are responsible for notifying tenants of the City trash and recycling regulations.
81-995 (Rev. 6/07) 15
CARE AND MAINTENANCE OF YARDS AND FENCES
The landlord and the homeowner must ensure that their yards drain properly.
The tenant must keep the yard clean and sanitary if only the tenant has access to the yard. If the yard is shared with other occupants, the landlord is responsible.
Fences must be kept in good repair by the homeowner or landlord.
INSECTS AND RODENTS
In one-family houses, the tenant or homeowner must keep the house clean and sanitary. It is the occupant’s responsibility to have insects, rodents, other pests exterminated.
Where there are two or more apartments in a building, the landlord must keep all shared or public areas of the buildings clean and sanitary.
The tenant must have any insects, rodents, or other pests exterminated if the tenant’s apartment is the only one infested. Otherwise, it is the responsibility of the landlord to have such pests exterminated.
