§ 18-4. Private compost systems.

(a)

It shall be lawful for any person or entity to keep or allow to be kept on any property within the town a compost system only if the compost system conforms to the provisions of this chapter. Compost systems that do not conform to the provisions of this chapter are hereby deemed to be both unlawful and a public nuisance.

(b)

An open air compost bin shall be constructed of wire no greater than twenty (20) gauge with mesh openings of not more than one-quarter (¼) inch. Such composting bins shall be fully enclosed on all sides. There shall be no more than one (1) open air compost bin per residence and the open air compost bin shall not exceed ten (10) feet long by eight (8) feet wide by three (3) feet high.

(c)

The containers for contained compost bins shall be constructed of galvanized metal or heavy plastic which are rodent-resistant and intact and shall include a tightly secured top and bottom. The volume of any contained compost bin shall not exceed two (2) fifty-five gallon drums per residence.

(d)

An open air compost bin shall contain no edible waste and its contents shall be limited to the materials listed in this subsection, except for subsection (5) below. The contents of a contained compost system shall be limited to the following materials:

(1)

Yard waste, such as grass clippings and tree leaves;

(2)

Dirt;

(3)

Wood and branches (chipped or cut so that their longest dimension is no more than three (3) inches);

(4)

Lime; and

(5)

Raw (uncooked), unprocessed vegetable and fruit waste.

(e)

All compost bins shall be properly maintained so that the composting process is controlled, active and free of obnoxious odor. Such maintenance is to include, but not be limited to:

(1)

Turning the entire compost material frequently so as to avoid unpleasant odors and keep the composting process active.

(2)

Adding one (1) inch of dirt per six (6) inches of the above-specified materials.

(3)

Adding lime sufficient to reduce any noxious odors.

(4)

Using all composted materials within one (1) year.

(Ord. No. O-3-93, Ord. No. 3-11-93; Ord. No. O-5-95, 11-9-95)