The city of Stevens Point enforces rules related to Garbage & Recycling, Overnight Parking, Pets, Number of Occupants, Noise, Littering, Snow & Ice Removal, Lawn & Weed Control, etc.
Violation of these rules can result in fines which you could be responsible for paying. If you need clarification on your responsibilities, the best place to start is by asking your landlord, and by being familiar with your rental lease and rules.
All city ordinances, garbage schedules, pet license fees, and other useful information can be viewed online at the city website www.stevenspoint.com .
The following is a summary of city ordinances related to rental housing:
GARBAGE & RECYCLING
GARBAGE & RECYCLING CARTS - In Stevens Point, buildings with 4 or fewer apartments must use the garbage and recycling carts provided by the City. Buildings with 5 or more apartments will have separate dumpsters on site for garbage and recycling. The carts with the brown lids are for garbage, and the carts with green lids are for comingled recycling. All contents must fit inside the cart with the lid closed. Stevens Point Ordinance 21.03(4)(b)(1)RECYCLING - It is against City ordinance to dispose of recyclables in the garbage. Recycling must be separated from trash and only recyclable materials shall be placed in the green lid cart that is provided by the city with the lid fully closed for collection. All recyclables may be comingled in the recycling cart - plastic, glass, aluminum cans and flattened corrugated cardboard can be mixed together. Newspapers and magazines should be bundled and also placed in the carts with green lids. Stevens Point Ordinance 21.03(4)(a)(2a)(2b)GARBAGE DAY - Your landlord can tell you what day of the week your garbage is collected. Recycling is collected every 2 weeks. The garbage schedule can also be viewed online at http://www.stevenspoint.com/DocumentCenter/Home/View/763 . It is best to check the schedule for changes in weeks with a Holiday. Carts shall be placed at the curb so they are readily accessible for emptying. Carts MAY NOT be placed on top of snow piles. Carts must be at least 4-feet from obstacles, including other carts. Carts may be placed at the street no sooner than 6:00 p.m. the day before collection and no later than 7:00 a.m. the day of collection. Carts must be removed by midnight the day of collection. SP Ordinance 21.03(4)(b)(2)CART STORAGE - Recyclables and garbage cannot be visible from the street - place items in the carts. Carts cannot be stored between the front of the building and the street, except on collection days. Ask your landlord where carts should be stored on your property. Stevens Point Ordinance 21.03 (4)
PARKING
OVERNIGHT PARKING - Stevens Point does not allow overnight parking on any City streets any time of the year. Should a circumstance arise where you will need to park overnight for a brief period, you would need to notify the Stevens Point Police Department to get permission first. Stevens Point City Ordinance 9.05(I)PROPERTY PARKING - Parking is only allowed on solid surface driveways (ie blacktop, concrete, etc). The City does not allow parking on grass or dirt areas of the property. This applies to the entire vehicle. You cannot have even a tire off the driveway and on the grass or it is a violation and you can be cited and fined. Stevens Point City Ordinance 21.03 (13)(a)VEHICLE LICENSING & REPAIR - All vehicles within the City limits must have current registrations & licenses at all times. Additionally it is not allowed to have any disassembled, dismantled, junked or inoperable and/or unlicensed motor vehicle, machinery or trailer stored or allowed to remain in the open for a period longer than three days. In addition, your landlord may have rules related to vehicle maintenance. Stevens Point City Ordinance 21.03 (18)
PETS
LICENSING - Cat or dog licenses must be purchased by March 31 of each year for all animals older than 6 months. Bring your pet's rabies certificate to the city Comptroller/Treasurer’s office (715-346-1573) each time you buy a license. Stevens Point Ordinance 14.14LEASH RULES - Dogs must be walked on a leash no more than 6 feet in length. No owner shall allow or permit the animal to defecate upon the property not owned by them or without the property owner's consent (public property included) without immediately removing feces. Stevens Point Ordinance 14.20(1)(2)PROHIBITED ANIMALS - No one shall keep, maintain or possess any farm or dangerous or wild animal within the City limits. To do so, would require a special permit from the City. Additionally, you should contact your landlord before acquiring a new pet to avoid violating the terms of your lease. Stevens Point Ordinance 21.03(16)(a)(b)
LAWN & SNOW
LITTERING - Littering of any kind is not allowed. Doing so can result in a fine and/or jail time. Stevens Point Ordinance 24.06SNOW & ICE REMOVAL - Sidewalks must be fully cleared of snow and ice within 24 hours of the snowfall ending. The entire sidewalk, edge to edge, must be shoveled – you can’t simply shovel a “path” to walk through. If there is ice, you must take steps to mitigate slipping by applying a commercial ice melt, sand, etc. If the walks are not shoveled in the required time, the City will do it and you will be charged per linear foot for them shoveling. SP Ordinance 16.06(1)(2)(3)LAWN CARE/WEED CONTROL - Lawns should be mowed as needed. Typically this will be weekly under normal weather conditions. Likewise, you must take steps to minimize and/or eliminate noxious weed issues. Stevens Point Ordinance 21.03(17)
OCCUPANCY & GENERAL OCCUPANCY/LEASING - Unless specified otherwise, all properties in the city of Stevens Point allow occupancy of two unrelated adults or a family only. Renting a house with 3 or 4 bedrooms does not necessarily mean you can have 3 or 4 people living there. In many cases, unless you are a family, the occupancy is limited to only two unrelated adults. There are a limited number of Rooming House Licenses (sometimes referred to as “student licenses”) issued by the city. These properties can legally rent to more than 2 unrelated adults. Verify occupancy limits with your landlord before renting. Stevens Point Family Definition - Chapter 23 Zoning, Page 112EXTERIOR FURNITURE - Any furniture that is designed for interior use cannot be used or stored in an area exposed to the weather. For example, you can’t put a living room sofa or chair out on the front porch. If caught you will be cited and fined by the City. Stevens Point Ordinance 21.03 (9)