Palmerton Borough Council took a step to begin regulating the use of dumpsters in the public right of way during Thursday’s meeting.

“This is an ordinance amending chapter 68 of the code of the borough, entitled ‘Garbage, Rubbish and Refuse,’ to regulate the use of dumpsters,” council Vice President Kris Hoffner said.

Ordinance 737 was approved for advertisement during the meeting,

The amendment sets the rules that an application must be presented, along with a fee, for the use of a refuse dumpster that is not placed on private properties for regular contracted services. A separate resolution sets the fee for the placement of a dumpster in the street at $50 for the first two weeks, and $25 per each following week, paid in advance.

Under the maintenance section, the ordinance says that all dumpsters must be covered properly, with all debris placed inside, and that they must be emptied when filled to capacity.

Flashers or reflectors are required on the outside corners of dumpsters that are in the public right of way. The amendment also restricts dumpsters that exceed 8 feet in width or that take up more than two parking spaces.

Dumpsters must be removed from the public right of way upon completion of the project that they are being used for, and no dumpsters may be placed in the public right of way for more than 30 days, though the borough’s code enforcement officer may approve a permit renewal and application extension.