City and Borough of Juneau
155 S. Seward Street
Juneau, Alaska 99801
tel. 907-586-5240
fax 907-586-5385
http://www.juneau.org

Living with Bears in Juneau - City And Borough of Juneau

No Bears!

The Laws


Summary

Juneau residents have long been asked to try to keep garbage away from bears. Now, local ordinances (in effect year-round) offer that little extra incentive: you may be fined if you don't! Expect continued vigorous enforcement in 2012.

Below is a brief summary of relevant provisions:

  • Garbage cans may be put out to the curb for collection no sooner than 4 a.m. on pickup day.
  • Other than after 4 a.m. on pickup day, garbage must be kept in a bear resistant container or enclosure.
    • in a strong fully enclosed structure such as a garage
    • in another "bear resistant enclosure," defined as an enclosure that you can't get into unless you use hands or tools.  If it can be opened by stomping on it, kicking it, running into it with your body, or other similar action, it is not bear resistant.
  • Garbage cans must be fitted with lids so as to remain secure if cans are tipped over.
  • If your garbage has attracted bears and you fail to take steps to legally store your garbage, you could be cited for maintaining a bear attraction nuisance, a $50 fine for the first offense.

Detail: Juneau Ordinances Regarding Garbage Storage

  • Current Law: CBJ Ordinance 2004-11, adopted 3/22/04
    Reenacting the Urban Bear Ordinance, effective April 22, 2004.  This ordinance mandates metal lids on all dumpsters containing putrescible waste, defines the times that you may put out garbage cans for pick up, allows for fines if your garbage has attracted bears and you fail to take steps to legally store your garbage, requires that all garbage cans be fitted with lids that will remain secure if cans are tipped over.
  • Archive, for information only: CBJ Ordinance 2002-04(am-2), adopted 3/18/02
    Repealing and Reenacting the Urban Bear Ordinance.  This ordinance mandates metal lids on certain dumpsters, allows the manager to designate "bear problem areas", defines the times that you may put out garbage cans for pick up, and allows for fines if your garbage has attracted bears and you fail to take steps to legally store your garbage.  (completely superceded by CBJ Ordinance 2004-11)
  • CBJ Ordinance 2001-37, adopted 07/02/2001
    (completely superceded by CBJ Ordinance 2002-04(am-2)
  • CBJ Ordinance 2001-23, adopted 05/21/2001
    (partially superceded by CBJ Ordinance 2002-04(am-2)

Laws in other jurisdictions, for information only:

For questions about these laws or the history of the efforts to keep garbage away from bears in Juneau, contact the City Manager's Office at 907-586-5240 or bears@ci.juneau.ak.us
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