On July 23, 2025, the City Council of Essex Junction, Vermont, adopted amendments to the existing Chapter 9 Enforcement and the existing Chapter 18 Ordinance Regulating Control of Litter, Refuse, Garbage, Junk, Junk Motor Vehicles, Trash, and Solid Waste. This notice is published pursuant to 24 V.S.A. § 1972 to inform the public of these amendments and the citizens’ right to petition for a vote to disapprove these amendments.
Amendments to the Municipal Ordinance Chapter 9, Enforcement, and Municipal Ordinance Chapter 18, Regulating Control of Litter, Refuse, Garbage, Junk, Junk Motor Vehicles, Trash and Solid Waste, aim to clearly designate additional chapters of the Municipal Code as Civil Ordinances (24 V.S.A. 1974a) instead of Criminal Ordinances (24 V.S.A. § 1974). The amendments are also intended to address inconsistencies in the prescribed penalty amounts between Chapter 9 and Chapter 18, authorize the Zoning Administrator and their designees as municipal officials authorized to issue tickets for civil ordinance violations, clarify the definition of “construction waste” and “junk”, extend the responsibility of maintaining a litter-free property to occupants and lessees, and incorporate some technical changes recommended by the City Attorney.
The full text of the Ordinances may be examined at the City Office at 2 Lincoln Street, Essex Junction, VT 05452, and may be examined during regular office hours or on the City’s website www.essexjunction.org/codes/municipal-code.
CITIZENS’ RIGHT TO PETITION FOR VOTE
Title 24 V.S.A. § 1973 grants citizens the right to petition for a vote at a special or Annual Meeting to disapprove ordinance amendments adopted by the City Council. To exercise this right, citizens must present to the City Council or the City Clerk a petition for a vote on the question of disapproving the amendments signed by not less than five percent (5%) of the City’s qualified voters. The petition must be presented within forty-four (44) days following the date of the adoption of the amendments. The amendments to Chapter 9, Enforcement, and Chapter 18, Ordinance Regulating Control of Litter, Refuse, Garbage, Junk, Junk Motor Vehicles, Trash, and Solid Waste, shall become effective upon passage unless a petition requesting a vote is filed pursuant to 24 V.S.A. § 1973.
PERSON TO CONTACT
Additional information pertaining to these Ordinances may be obtained by contacting Regina Mahony, City Manager, at admin@essexjunction.org or by calling 802-878-6944 during regular office hours.
Ordinance 18