Trash pickups before 7 a.m. banned in Richmond after noise complaints

Richmond, Va. (Newsradiowrva.com) - At a Richmond City Council meeting on Monday, Sept. 9, council members voted unanimously to ban trash pickup before 7 a.m.

The decision came amid increased noise complaints from residents. Previously, the City’s trash collection and sanitation service crews were not required to follow Richmond’s sound-level regulations between 5 a.m. and 11 p.m.

But a new ordinance proposed by 2nd District Councilwoman Katherine Jordan and 5th District Councilwoman Stephanie Lynch aimed to shorten that window to between 7 a.m. and 11 p.m.

Now, the general public — which now includes non-exempt waste removal service workers — cannot make noise considered louder than the average conversational voice outside on a residential street between the hours of 11 p.m. and 7 a.m. each day.

The ordinance leaves room for exceptions. Richmond’s Chief Administrative Officer can exempt workers from the restriction for health or safety reasons.