Official:Amending Chapter 10-700 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled “Refuse and Littering,” to exempt individuals from payment of certain fines and penalties relating to residential refuse and refuse collection when the City fails to complete collection on the designated collection day; to provide for cancellation of covered fines and associated charges, refunds, and administrative review; and to make related changes; all under certain terms and conditions
Sponsor: Councilmember Young
Introduced: September 17, 2026
: Committee on Streets and Services
Status: In Committee, step 2 of 4
This bill would exempt homeowners from paying fines for missed trash collection days when the city fails to collect trash on schedule. Homeowners would be exempt from paying these fines and would be eligible for refunds for any fines already paid.
AI-written. Every figure is checked against the bill text.
AI-written arguments. Every figure is checked against the bill text.
This bill ensures fairness for homeowners who are not responsible for the city's failure to collect trash on time, providing relief from unjust fines and charges. Homeowners who have already paid fines will be eligible for refunds, giving them back money they shouldn't have had to spend. The bill also provides a transparent process for homeowners to appeal any decisions related to fines and refunds.
This bill unfairly shifts the burden of the city's inefficiencies to taxpayers, as it requires ratepayers to bear the costs of the city's failure to collect trash on schedule. The bill effectively gives homeowners a free pass for missing collection days, and potentially reimburses them for fines already paid, without holding the city accountable for its own lapses in service. By doing so, it sets a precedent that cities are not responsible for their own failures, and will instead seek to minimize costs and shift them to residents.
Neither side is the site's position. They are here so you can weigh the bill yourself.
Add your view and see how other readers lean. One vote per person.
to cast your vote
New Southwest Center City Neighborhood Conservation Overlay District Created Amid Zoning Regulations Changes
260690 · Introduced · 2026
City to Sign 4-Year Contracts with Major Waste Management Firms under Certain Terms and Conditions
260794 · In Committee · 2026
City Partners with Company to Collect Food Waste and Make Compost
240003 · Signed Into Law · 2024
Philadelphia Joins Regional Effort to Collect and Safely Dispose of Household Hazardous Waste in SE Pennsylvania
010151 · Signed Into Law · 2001
Philadelphia Council Ups Littering Fines, Adds New Penalties for Trash Dumping
180729-A · Signed Into Law · 2018
Businesses that hire eligible youth or fund youth programs to receive Philadelphia tax credit
260701 · In Committee · 2026
City Requires Special Approval for Limited Lodging in RSA-5 Zoning District Businesses
260700 · In Committee · 2026
Speeding Fines Reduced Based on Excess Speed in Automated Enforcement Tickets
260699 · In Committee · 2026
Every City Council bill since 2000, summarized in plain English.