Keep Sidewalks Clear Of Leaves, Remind Gardening Crews To Pick Up Leaves, Not Blow Them To Adjacent Yards Or Into Street

The Laurelhurst Blog has received several emails about slippery areas around the neighborhood due to leaves in public areas.  

City Code requires property owners to keep adjacent sidewalks, roads, and alleys clear of all obstructions, including raking leaves, shoveling snow and repairing damaged sidewalks

Here is the applicable Seattle City Code:

SMC 10.52.030 Duties of owners and occupants.

A. It is the duty of the owner of the property and of any occupant of the property wherein or whereon any such nuisance exists to abate the nuisance by destroying, removing or trimming vegetation, and removing or destroying any health, safety or fire hazard.

B. In addition to duties the owner or occupant may have to abate nuisances, the owner or occupant of property shall:

1. Remove vegetation in or on an abutting sidewalk;

2. Destroy, remove or trim vegetation or parts thereof on the property, and which are also overhanging any sidewalk within eight (8) feet measured vertically from any point on the sidewalk;

3. Destroy, remove or trim vegetation or any parts thereof on the property or on adjacent planting strips, which encroaches on or overhangs the traveled portion of the street or alley within fourteen (14) feet measured vertically from any point on the street or alley;

4. Remove vegetation constituting a safety hazard found on adjacent planting strips or alleys;

5. Remove vegetation constituting a fire hazard found on adjacent planting strips or alleys;

6. Remove vegetation constituting a health hazard found on adjacent planting strips or alleys.

Brian with Seattle Public Utlities (SPU) told the Laurelhurst Blog:

Trees make our city beautiful but fall leaves can be a safety hazard and cause street flooding. We would appreciate your help encouraging people to manage their leaves to keep them off the street and out of the storm drain.  

For serious flooding, please call 206-387-1800. For non-urgent plugged storm drains, please submit a service request here. Go here for more information.

 

Here are ways to manage fallen leaves: 

• Rake leaves and put them into your yard waste cart. If you have more than will fit into the cart, place extras in a compostable lawn and leaf bag or a reusable container with a lid. Put them out next to your yard waste container on collection day – no plastic bags. During the month of November, SPU collects up to 10 extra bags of yard waste at no charge to the customer.  Extra yard waste must be in paper bags or in an extra container that contains only yard waste.
• Place raked leaves on bare soil as mulch in your landscape and garden. This conserves water, controls weeds and fertilizes the soil. 
• If you use a leaf blower, please collect the leaves to use as mulch in garden beds or bag them for collection. If you hire a landscaper to help with fall cleanup, make sure they are collecting the leaves and keeping them out of the street. 
• You can also help reduce flooding by keeping nearby storm drains clear of leaves and debris by 1) standing on the curb, not in the street. Please do not clear drains on major streets or arterials 2) clear the drain before it starts raining 3) Never use your hands to remove debris 4) Use a long-handled dustpan, shovel or a trash can lid to pick up debris. Gloves are recommended 5) Avoid items that have the potential to be hazardous or cause injury.

 

Also leaf blowing from one property into another neighbor's yard or into the street is not allowed.

Neighbors wrote to the Laurelhurst Blog:

I am continually cleaning up after our neighbors lawn workers blow leaves onto our side of street, weekly.  It's not just the noise of leaf blowers that's aggravating, it's the dust that flies up into the eyes of passers-by and onto parked cars. Landscapers consistently blow the neighbor's leaves into our planting strip and in front of it, then drive off, leaving us to clean it up. Aren't they getting paid to clean up their client's yard, completely and thoroughly, including picking up their leaves and hauling them away? I noticed recently some gardeners just blowing leaves around and then blew them across the street.. Please tell your lawn crew to pick up the leaves, not blow them to your neighbors yard.

A landscaping crew working on a house on our block always blows leaves from the neighbor's yard, sidewalk and street in front of their home right into other's yards and right into the sidewalk and street in front of other homes. Is this legal? Aren't they paid to clean up the area that they service rather than just  move it down the street and then drive off leaving a mess to clean up for other neighbors? 

We regularly watch the gardening crew use their leaf blower to blow all the leaves from that house to the street and sidewalk. Blowing leaves into the street is negligent as it clogs the drains and can cause flooding, as well as possibly running the risk of getting water in someone’s basement.  Additionally, the City is not always readily available to clean the drain. Crews that are dispatched to clear the streets also can be hampered by added debris in the street. It is also disrespectful and lazy as the crew assumes the neighbors will clean up the large amount of leaves and other debris left by the gardening crew.  

We have seen pedestrians and even a landscape crew dump yard waste and other matter into our containers and those of our neighbors. Is this legal? We don't believe it is. Sometimes we watch them just blow the leaves onto someone else's property, into the street in front of another home, or just blow them down the sidewalk.

City Municipal Code SMC 15.46.030 states: 

Deposits in street or gutter

It is unlawful to wash or sweep or otherwise deposit any matter in any street or gutter.

Seattle Municipal Code Section 21.36.440 states:

Unlawful use of solid waste container on private property 

It is unlawful for anyone not authorized by the property owner or
occupant to deposit any material in any solid waste container on
private property or on a sidewalk or a planting strip abutting private
property.

Regarding permissible sound levels emitted by leaf blowers, Seattle Municipal Codes sections 25.08.410 and SMC 25.08.425, states that sound levels of up to 60-90 dBA at 50 feet from the source are permissible during regular working hours.  Sound levels that exceed 90 dBA can be subject to notices of violation, citation, and fines. Excessive noise can also be reported to the Seattle Police.

Seattle Public Utilities Website Seeking Feedback

Seattle Public Utilities invites the community to comment on the update of its new website.

Go here to fill out the survey,  which should take less than 10 minutes to complete.

SPU says:

As part of our work to improve Seattle Public Utilities' website, we want to make it easier for you to find the information you need - and we need your help!

Have 5 to 10 minutes? Please consider taking this quick online survey -  it asks you where you'd expect to find different types of information, so we can make sure we're putting it in the right places.   

Your answers will not be provided to other organizations and you will not receive unsolicited emails because of your participation.  

Thank you for your help as we continue our efforts to improve your SPU's customer experience.

Free Christmas Tree Composting

Seattle Public Utilities (SPU)  is offering free Christmas tree composting through January 31. 

The information says:

SPU invites Seattle residents to compost their Christmas trees and other holiday greens for free through the end of the month.. Residents should place trees or bundled greens next to their food and yard waste cart on their collection day. Apartment residents may place two trees next to each food and yard waste cart on each collection day. Trees must be cut into lengths of four feet or less and all decorations, lights, tinsel, and other decorations must be removed.    

In addition to curbside collection, Seattle residents may drop off trees and other holidays greens for free at SPU’s north or south transfer stations through January 31. Stations will accept up to three trees per vehicle.

For more information go here. 

No Solid Waste Collection Christmas Or New Year’s Days

Seattle Public Utilities published this information to share with the neighborhood:

Due to the Christmas and New Year holidays, no garbage, recycling, or food and yard waste will be collected in Seattle on Tuesday, Dec. 25 and Tuesday, Jan. 1. Collections scheduled for Tuesday will occur on Wednesday, and collection for the rest of the week will be delayed by one day.

Customers should put their containers out the day following their scheduled pickup day, after the holiday. For example, if your regularly scheduled collection day is Wednesday, collection will be on Thursday, Thursday collections will be on Friday, and so forth. Customers should be sure to have their containers out by 7 a.m. to ensure collection.

Customers can report missed garbage, food and yard waste or recycling collections after 5 p.m. on their scheduled collection day by calling (206) 684-3000 or by going to http://www.seattle.gov/util and clicking on “Report Missed Collection.”

Keep Storm Drains Clear

Seattle Public Utilities published this information:

Storm Season is Here: Time to Rake Your Drains!

This time of year, storm drains can easily become overwhelmed with fallen leaves and the summer’s accumulated street debris, causing backed up gutters and drains, and resulting in localized flooding. 

In Seattle, there are about 80,000 storm drains—far more than city crews can clear quickly. This is where you can help! Please keep your local storm drain or drainage ditch clear of leaves and other debris. 

Does your storm drain have a below-the-surface clog? To report non-urgent storm drain blockages go here.  You can also report serious clogs and street flooding by calling SPU’s Operations Response Center (24/7) at 206-386-1800. 

Go to Take Winter by Storm, a one-stop emergency preparedness center that includes safety tips and regional resources for information about the weather, power outages, flooding, shelters and assistance agencies. 

Seattle Public Utilities is also looking for volunteers to join their Adopt-a-Drain program during Seattle’s peak leaf-falling season. During this time SPU provides residents and business owners with free cleanup supplies – rakes, bags, gloves, shovels, brooms and dustpans. 

"Unfortunately, our full time drainage crews cannot keep up with the thousands of storm drains that need extra maintenance this time of year. That’s where you come in! Removing dirt, silt and debris from the top of the drain helps prevent flooding and diverts pollutants from streams, creeks and other natural waterways," the SPU website says.

Call 206-684-7647 to sign up and reserve your supplies or email adoptadrain@seattle.gov.

Here is information on the Adopt-a-Drain program:

Why should I adopt a drain?

• Prevent flooding in your neighborhood by keeping drains free of debris.
• Prevent pollutants from entering streams, creeks and Puget Sound, which protects fish and other wildlife.
• Help the city maintain our infrastructure, especially during fall months when rain increases and falling leaves block drains.
• If you adopt a drain, SPU may contact you to notify you of anticipated storms and flood events.

How to identify a drain

Though there are several types of storm drains, most drains are located in or next to the curb and have a metal grate to prevent people and debris from falling in. They can be rectangular or circular. Storm drains often will be stenciled with text such as:

• Dump No Waste. Drains to Stream, Lake or Bay.
• Only Rain Down the Drain. Puget Sound Starts Here.

Sanitary sewers, which usually have solid manhole covers, are NOT storm drains.

If a storm drain near your location is grayed out on the map, it could be:

• unavailable because it is not owned by SPU
• a storm drain that only SPU crews should maintain

Use our mapping tool to zoom in and add your drain by pointing to the approximate location on the map.

Safety guidelines

• Clear your drain only if it is safe.  Clear only drains next to the curb. Clear from curbside, not out in the street.  If the drain is still clogged after you’ve removed the surface debris, use our Drain Report Form or call our drainage problem hotline at (206) 386-1800 to report it.
• Watch out for traffic. Don’t clear drains that are in the middle of a street.
• Be careful of standing water to avoid slipping or stepping on sharp objects.
• If children are helping, make sure adults are supervising.
• Don’t try to lift storm drain grates. They are very heavy.
• Let our crews handle garbage or any hazards in the catch basin. Clear surface debris only.

Seattle Public Utilities' Website Seeking Feedback

Seattle Public Utilities invites the community to comment on the update of its new website. Go here to fill out the survey, which should take less than 10 minutes to complete. SPU says:

Your answers will not be provided to other organizations and you will not receive unsolicited emails because of your participation. We appreciate your feedback!  

For questions about the survey, contact Leslie MacDonald at Leslie.MacDonald@seattle.gov.

Reminder To Clean Up After Dogs

The Laurelhurst Community Club (LCC) published this information in a recent newsletter:

Please scoop the poop!
Your neighbors will appreciate it.  Our park and yards are experiencing an increase in failures of owners to scoop. Let’s make them poop-free zones. Be a considerate dog owner.
Also please do not leave your dog unattended outdoors if it barks all day. Unchecked barking is stressful and annoying to those nearby. The dog is probably not too happy about it either.

Neighbors commented:

Please remember to only use the waste cans that are either yours or ones furnished by the City. The waste cans at the bus stops are not to be used for the disposal of  dog waste.  Notices have been placed on the Metro waste cans to not use them for pet waste. 

We have lived in this area for for 30 years and are noticing more and more that people are not scooping up after their dogs.  Today we returned home after a nice lunch out and inadvertently stepped into some on our lawn before coming into our house.  Cleaning up after this was a real downer.  Can we remind folks that there is a fine for not taking care of their dogs....thanks

Please don’t put your bagged dog poop in garbage cans that have been emptied on garbage day - or even worse, in an empty recycling container that is still on the curb!

Please dog owners, use your own garbage can to dispose of your pet's poo. I don't appreciate your calling card in my can.

Please be respectful and clean up after your dogs, especially in driveway approaches and sidewalks.  Watch if your dog stops instead of continuing to keep jogging or walking and pick up the waste.   

Recently in the park and on the streets around Laurelhurst Elementary there has been an increase in pet waste in the pedestrian areas.    

There seems to be an increase of dog owners not picking up waste in the neighborhood and also on the paths in the park.  We regularly pick up other dogs' feces each time we see it.  It is our expectation, and per Seattle City law, that dog owners pick up after their pets, no exceptions. 

Please be courteous and clean up after your pet. We have a great neighborhood to take walks and children to play.  Let's all do our part in keeping our neighborhood a pleasant environment for all of us. 

We have lived in this area for over three decades  and are noticing more and more that people are not scooping up after their dogs. We have stepped in it several times in the lawn in front of our house. Please pick up after your dog.  

Please pick up after your dogs, it is your YOUR responsibility, no one else's, Don't be lazy. It is hazardous, neglectful and not courteous.

Seattle Public Utilities reports on its website: 

·         We have more than 125,000 dogs and 60,000 outdoor cats in Seattle. That amounts to about 50,000 lbs. of pet waste every day.

·         Left on streets, curb strips and in yards and parks, pet waste can be carried by rainwater to storm drains and into our creeks, lakes and Puget Sound without treatment. It is one of the leading causes of bacterial contamination in our streams and causes other water quality problems just like livestock manure and fertilizer. 

·         There are bacteria and micro-organisms in pet waste such as Roundworms, E. coli, and Giardia that can make people sick if they’re ingested. Some can last in your yard for as long as four years if not cleaned up.  

·         Children who play outside and adults who garden are at greatest risk of infection. If pet waste is washed into the storm drain it ends up in lakes, streams or marine water, and people can accidentally swallow bacteria and other disease-causing organisms while swimming or playing in the water. These bacteria also end up in shellfish and can make the people who eat them very sick. 

·         Put pet waste in a plastic bag, seal it, and throw it in the garbage- not in the yard waste! There are also Mutt Mitt (pdf) dispensers located around the City. The next time you're out walking your pet, take advantage of this free resource to help keep our waterways clean. 

·         There are laws in Seattle to protect our health and our environment which require pet waste to be picked up and disposed of properly.

Here are applicable Seattle City laws relating to Offenses of Safety and Sanitation:

·         $109 Allowing accumulation of feces SMC 9.25.082 (A)

·         $54 Not removing feces from another’s property SMC 9.25.0822 (B)

·         $54 Not having equipment to remove feces  SMC 9.25.082 (C)

·         $54 In Parks: Failure to carry equipment for removing feces OR failure to place feces in appropriate receptacle. SMC 18.12.080 (C)

Go here for more information.