Check your local ordinances

Residents should be aware of some city ordinances ranging from lawn care to recycling. Here are some:

Watering

To encourage conservation and prevent excessive use of water, Woodbury has lawn watering restrictions that include an odd/even watering schedule, as well as a ban on watering between noon and 5 p.m. each day.

Before turning on the sprinkler, residents and business owners should:

Determine if it's "their day" to water the lawn, based on the odd/even schedule. This means if your home or business address ends in an odd number (1, 3, 5, etc.) you may water your lawn on odd-numbered calendar days each month. Likewise, if your address ends in an even number (0, 2, 4, etc.) you may sprinkle on even-numbered days of the month.

Check the clock. Lawn sprinkling is permitted only before noon and after 5 p.m. regardless of whether it is "your day" to water.

The odd/even schedule is in effect year-round, not just in the summer. Automatic sprinkling systems must be set to comply with both the odd/even schedule and the hours of the day when lawn watering is permitted.

The watering restrictions apply only to lawn watering and not to incidental uses such as washing cars or filling pools. Permits allowing 14 continuous days of watering for areas of new seed and sod are available at the Public Works Building, 2301 Tower Drive.

Failure to comply with the Woodbury watering policy is a violation of City Code. Violators may be issued an administrative citation. First-time offenders are not exempt.

Curfew

The city’s curfew policy applies to anyone under age 17. The policy states that it is unlawful for a juvenile under age 15 to be in a public place or establishment in the city between the hours of 10 p.m. and 5 a.m., Sunday through Thursday, and between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.

It is unlawful for 15- and 16-year-olds to be in a public place between the hours of 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. Sunday through Thursday, and between midnight and 5 a.m. Saturday and Sunday.

Exceptions to the policy include: juveniles accompanied by parent or guardian, or responsible adult; juveniles engaged in lawful employment or returning home from work; emergency situations; going to, attending, or returning from official school, religious, or recreational activity sponsored and/or supervised by a public entity.

For more information, call the police department at (651) 714-3600.

Dog licenses

A dog license must be purchased every two years for all dogs over six months old residing in Woodbury. The license is valid from Jan. 1 to Dec. 31 of each year. Licenses should be purchased by March 31 at City Hall during normal business hours or by mail.

After March 31, the amount for the license doubles. A dog moving into Woodbury must have a license within 60 days.

The charge to license neutered or spayed dogs is $10; non-neutered or non-spayed dogs is $18. Proof of rabies vaccination must be provided when purchasing the license.

It is not necessary to license cats, however, ordinance regulations apply to cats as well as dogs. For more information, call City Hall at (651) 714-3500.

Recycling

Residents of single-family and multi-family units, townhouses, condominiums and apartments must separate recyclables, including newspaper, glass containers, paperboard, mixed mail, metal cans, plastic, yard waste, cardboard and periodicals from their trash.

To help make weekly curbside recycling easier, a special recycling container is provided to your residence by the city through your hauler. These recycling containers belong to the city and should be left with the property if you move or sell your home. Additional bins may be purchased at the Public Works building and become the property of the resident.

Depending on the hauler you choose, recycling may be collected weekly or every two weeks. Haulers use a single-sort or two-sort method.

For single-sort recycling, all recyclables, including paper and containers, may be stored in one container for pick-up.

If you select a hauler using the two-sort method, divide your recycling into two categories. One is for bottles and glass (including #1 and #2 plastic only), the other for paper and cardboard.

Fences

The city has an ordinance relating to fences. No fence shall be constructed that would block the view of vehicular traffic or restrict snow plowing of streets.

Fences may, however, be placed along property lines provided that no damage is caused to abutting property.

In addition, there are a number of height restrictions. If the fence is in an easement, the city or the utility company is not responsible for repair or replacement of any fence that is removed for purposes of work or maintenance of the easement.

A permit is not required for fence construction. Fence construction requirements can be obtained from the city Web site, www.ci.woodbury.mn.us, or by calling the inspections division (651) 714-3543.

Trash disposal/storage

Woodbury city ordinance states that trash, yard waste and recyclables should be placed at the curb no earlier than 6 p.m. the night before collection. Materials should be secured to prevent trash and recyclables from blowing around on windy days. Containers must be located in a secure place out of public view at all other times

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