Memorandum

City of Lawrence

Legal Services Department

TO:	David L. Corliss, City Manager Toni Ramirez Wheeler, Director of Legal Services
FROM:	John Jay Miller, Staff Attorney
CC:	Scott McCullough, Director of Planning and Development Services Diane Stoddard, Assistant City Manager
Date:	August 24, 2010
RE:	Portable Toilets Ordinance

On August 10, 2010, the City Commission considered whether to regulate portable toilets and directed staff to prepare an ordinance pertaining to portable toilets.  On August 17, 2010, the City Commission received the ordinance, took comment from citizens and passed Ordinance 8560 with amendments.  

Based on the City Commission’s direction, Ordinance 8560, as proposed, prohibits portable toilets on residentially zoned property, with exemptions.  It allows portable toilets to remain on residentially zoned property between home football games if consecutive home football games occur.  It allows portable toilets on the camp property of the Lawrence Hidden Valley Committee Inc.  The ordinance also allows portable toilets within recreational vehicles anywhere throughout the City.  To reduce unknown and unintended consequences, an exemption was added to allow portable toilets on residentially zoned property with approved nonresidential uses.

Instead of requiring a portable toilet permit for events such as weddings or graduation,  the ordinance allows all residentially zoned property the opportunity to have portable toilets up to four consecutive days but only two times per calendar year.  Requests for additional time may be granted by the Director of Planning and Development Services.

Ordinance 8560 pertaining to Portable Toilets is attached for City Commission review and consideration.

Action Requested: Review and pass Ordinance 8560 pertaining to Portable Toilets, if appropriate.