Potsdam, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 219 (eCode360 ed. 2026) § 219-2

For the purposes of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply: CERTIFICATE OF OCCUPANCY/CERTIFICATE OF COMPLIANCE A certificate issued pursuant to § 120-7 of this Code. COMPOSTING MATERIALS Yard trimmings, vegetable wastes and other matter managed to provide aerobic, thermophilic decomposition of organic constituents to produce a stable, humus-like material. The organic material shall be stored in a container or compact pile that: A. Contains no sewage, sludge or seepage; B. Contains no inorganic materials, such as metal, plastic or glass; and C. Is maintained in a manner to minimize odors and the attraction of insect and animal pests. GARBAGE Food wastes, food wrappers, containers, nonrecyclables or other materials resulting from the use, consumption and preparation of food or drink, as well as other expended used or discarded materials, such as paper, plastic, metal, rags or glass, etc., or any other wastes generated from day-to-day activities of a household, business or public or quasi-public facility. The term "garbage" does not include properly prepared and stored recyclable materials or properly maintained compost areas. GROUNDS AND EXTERIOR PROPERTY Any area of a building or lot, excluding porch areas, not enclosed within the walls of a building. These terms include any public rights-of-way which pass through or are adjacent to a property, including the sidewalk and any area between the sidewalk, if there is one, and the street pavement. PORCH AREA Includes any open and/or partially enclosed porches or decks as well as any entranceways or exitways which are in the public view. PUBLIC VIEW Areas of any property that are visible by pedestrian or vehicular traffic in the public right-of-way or visible from the exterior ground level of adjoining properties or properties within 100 feet of the subject property or special circumstances that allow for public visibility or detection. SOLID WASTE Includes materials or substances that are discarded or rejected as being spent, worthless, useless or in excess to the owners at the time of such discard or rejection, including but not limited to materials or substances such as garbage, refuse, industrial and commercial wastes, sludge from air or water treatment facilities, rubbish, tires, ashes, incinerator residue, construction and demolition debris, discarded motor vehicles, discarded household and commercial appliances and discarded furniture. An object shall be presumed to be discarded or rejected solid waste when the object is stored, placed or left on the grounds or exterior of the property in the view of neighbors or passersby under circumstances which meet any of the following criteria: A. The object produces an offensive smell. B. The object is of a type designed for interior use or made of materials which are suitable only for the interior use, and the object is left outside and exposed to precipitation. C. The object has reached a degree of dilapidation or disrepair that can reasonably be presumed to render the material unsuitable for or incapable of being used for its original intended purpose or some other reasonable purpose. TOXIC OR NOXIOUS SUBSTANCE Any solid, liquid, or gaseous matter, including but not limited to gases, vapors, dusts, fumes, and mists containing properties which by chemical means are inherently harmful and likely to destroy life and impair health, or capable of causing injury to the well-being of persons or damage to property. TRASH RECEPTACLE A container that is nonabsorbent, watertight, and durable having a tight-fitting lid in place. Plastic bags are not considered durable containers. WEEDS All grasses, annual plants and vegetation, other than trees or shrubs; provided, however, this term shall not include cultivated flowers and gardens.