City Council:
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING ARTICLE I -
PRESERVATION OF GOOD ORDER, CHAPTER
191 - PEACE AND GOOD ORDER, §191-3(D) - LITTERING,
FINE OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF MOUNT VERNON TO
REVISE THE FINE SCHEDULE FOR LITTERING VIOLATIONS
WHEREAS, in correspondence dated January 29, 2026, the Commissioner of the Department of Public Works formally requested authorization to amend Article I - Preservation of Good Order, Chapter 191 - Peace and Good Order, §191-3(D) - Littering, Fine of the Code of the City of Mount Vernon, the existing penalty provision in its entirety, and to adopt new language in its place; and
WHEREAS, Chapter 191 of the Code of the City of Mount Vernon regulates littering and the maintenance of public and private property in order to protect public health, safety, and welfare; and
WHEREAS, §191-3(D) of the City Code currently establishes a single fine range for violations of the City’s littering prohibitions; and
WHEREAS, the Department of Public Works has reviewed recent enforcement activity and determined that a graduated fine structure tied to repeat offenses would more effectively deter ongoing littering violations; and
WHEREAS, the proposed amendment maintains the existing prohibitions against littering and modifies only the penalty provisions associated with violations; and
WHEREAS, the City Council finds that adopting a graduated fine schedule will promote compliance, enhance enforcement consistency, and reduce repeated negative impacts on streets, sidewalks, and public spaces;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MOUNT VERNON AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. Amendment of City Code. Article I - Preservation of Good Order, Chapter 191 - Peace and Good Order, §191-3(D) - Littering, Fine of the Code of the City of Mount Vernon is hereby amended to delete the existing penalty provision in its entirety and to adopt the following new language in its place.
Section 2. Repeal of Existing Language. The following language of Chapter 191, §191-3(D) 6 is hereby repealed:
[Any person violating any provision of Subsection <https://ecode360.com/6603312>,B, <https://ecode360.com/6603313> or <https://ecode360.com/6603314> shall be guilty of a violation of this chapter, which shall be punishable by a fine of not less than $250 nor more than $2,500.] - [Added 11-12-1987, approved 11-13-1987; amended 2-9-2005; approved 2-10-2005]
Section 3. Amendment to City Code. Chapter 191, §191-3(D) of the Code of the City of Mount Vernon is hereby amended by deleting the existing penalty provision in its entirety and replacing it with the following:
§191-3(D) - Penalties. Any person violating any provision of Subsection A, B, or C of this section shall be subject to the following fines:
(1) First offense: Two hundred fifty dollars ($250.00);
(2) Second offense: One thousand dollars ($1,000.00);
(3) Third and each subsequent offense: Two thousand five hundred dollars ($2,500.00).
Section 4. Severability. If any clause, sentence, paragraph, section, or part of this ordinance shall be adjudged by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, such judgment shall not affect, impair, or invalidate the remainder thereof, but shall be confined in its operation to the clause, sentence, paragraph, section, or part thereof directly involved in the controversy.
Section 5. Effective Date. This amendment shall take effect immediately upon adoption by the City Council and subsequent approval by the Board of Estimate & Contract.
New Matter Underlined
Deleted Matter in Brackets [ ]