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Off-Campus Living: A Student's Guide to Living in Newport News
Welcome! Please take a moment to familiarize yourself with the following information on City laws, regulations and services that are most likely to affect you as a college student living off-campus in Newport News.
High WeedsMunicipal Code Section 13-150A: Grass and weeds in excess of ten inches are prohibited. Tall grass and weeds are unsightly and can attract vermin. In addition, they detract from the appearance of our neighborhoods.
Trash and Debris
Municipal Code Section 13-180: Accumulation of trash and debris on premises is prohibited. Trash and debris on property are unsightly, attract rodents, and can create unsanitary conditions. These things detract from the appearance and quality of our neighborhoods and discourage investment.
Inoperative Vehicles
Municipal Code Section 13-186: All vehicles must operate and have valid license plates and inspection sticker. Inoperative vehicles are unsightly and clutter our neighborhoods. In addition, they can provide harborage for rodents and illicit activities. Inoperative vehicles blight our neighborhoods and discourage property investment.
Oustide Storage
Municipal Code Section 45-521: Outside storage of equipment and materials in residential neighborhoods is prohibited. Excessive outside storage in residential neighborhoods is unsightly, attracts rodents and blights our neighborhoods. Eliminating excessive outside storage improves the appearance of properties and neighborhood aesthetics.
Residential Occupancy Restrictions
Municipal Code Section 45-502: This section prohibits overcrowding by not permitting more than three unrelated persons to occupy a single-family residential home. Overcrowding negatively impacts the residential environment by generating higher levels of usage, more traffic and increased trash than what is normal for the neighborhood.
If you need to file a complaint concerning possible property violations or for more information, visit www.nngov.com/codes-compliance.
Loose Leaf Collection
The City of Newport News conducts an annual curbside loose leaf collection that runs from November to January each year. If you live in a single-family residential home, you may be eligible to participate in this program. The leaf collection schedule is posted each year in October on the City’s website. For more information on this program and guidelines to participate visit www.nngov.com/public-works/street.
Trash Collection
Residential solid waste is collected once a week in Newport News. You should not set your garbage cart at the curb any earlier than 3:00 p.m. the day before your scheduled collection day or later than 7:00 a.m. on the day of collection. Once collected, trash containers should be removed from the street and stored on the side or rear of your residence no later than midnight on the day of collection. The penalty for this violation can be $50 per event. Be aware that there are certain items that are restricted and considered unacceptable and uncollectable solid waste. For a list of unacceptable items or to view your collection schedule for yard waste, bulk trash and garbage carts, visit www.nngov.com/public-works/sw.
Automated Recycling Program
Recyclables are collected every other week on your regularly scheduled garbage collection day. To participate in this program, simply put your recyclable items into your City-issued blue container and place on the curb every other garbage collection day. For a list of accepted recyclables or to view the automated recycling collection schedule visit www.nngov.com/public-works/sw.
Street SweepingThe Street Maintenance Division sweeps City-maintained streets, City-wide between the months of April and October. Signs are posted at the main entrances into subdivisions notifying citizens of the day their area is to be swept. To view the street sweeping schedule, visit www.nngov.com/public-works/street.
It is important to understand that while our community is incredibly diverse, your lifestyle as a college student may differ from that of your neighbors. Be sure to meet your neighbors and exchange contact information. If you take the time to get to know your neighbors, they may be more likely to come to you with their concerns if problems arise. Below are a few of the laws and regulations enforced by the Newport News Police Department that may affect you as a college student living off-campus.
Noise Nuisance
As defined in the City Code Section 26.1-2, loud and raucous noise is declared to be a public nuisance, and it is unlawful for any person to operate a device so as to make or continue any loud or raucous noise in the City. A violation of this provision constitutes a Class 2 misdemeanor, having a penalty of up to a $250 fine.
Nuisance laws are intended to keep our neighborhoods safe and are not limited to restricting excessive noise such as loud music from either your home or car stereo. Other examples of violations covered by these laws include parties attended by a large number of people that tend to "spill" out into the street or yard, large or loud gatherings on backyard decks, vehicles parked in residential neighborhoods that enforce parking decals, and general speeding in neighborhoods.
Public Drinking
As defined in the City Code Section 28-21.1, any person taking or offering a drink in a public place will be guilty of a Class 4 misdemeanor, having up to a $100 fine.
Underage Posession of Alcohol
The State Code Section 4.1-305 defines it as unlawful for someone under the age of 21 to consume, purchase or possess any alcoholic beverage. Violators of this section face a penalty of up to a $2,500 fine and/or up to one year in jail.
Driving Under the Influence
The State Code, Section 18.2-266, states it is unlawful for any person to drive or operate a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08% or more, be under the influence of alcohol, under the influence of any narcotic or self-administered intoxicant drug or under the combined influence of alcohol or any other drug. Violation of this provision can earn the violator up to $2,500 in fines and/or up to one year in jail and loss of his or her driver's license for up to one year.
Visit the City's Code of Ordinances online for more information on these or any other laws at municode.com.
Fat Free Sewers
FOG is a combination of FATS, OILS, and GREASE used in food processing and preparation of meals. Materials that contain FOG include cooking oil, fat, lard, grease, butter, shortening, sauces, dairy products, baking foods and margarine, in addition to cooking meat and seafood which generates grease. Too much FOG can result in expensive and unpleasant cleanups when raw sewage overflows into buildings, yards, parks or streets. If you have any sanitary sewer concerns or questions, call the Public Works Customer Service Center at 269-2700 or visit www.nngov.com/public-works/ww.
Mosquito ControlThe number one thing to do to prevent mosquito breeding is to rid your property of sources of standing water. For more information and other helpful tips, visit www.nngov.com/public-works/storm.
Stormwater Runoff Contaminants
Controlling runoff contaminants is a joint effort between the City and its residents. You can help us maintain the stormwater system by doing the following: do not dispose of litter, leaves or grass clippings into ditches, gutters or storm drains; if you must use fertilizer, do so sparingly; pick-up after your pet (pooper-scooper law); and never pour chemicals or petroleum products into your yard, City streets or storm drains. For more information visit www.nngov.com/public-works/storm/stwopmnt.
Hazardous Waste and Electronic RecyclingThe Public Works Department provides an opportunity for residents to dispose of chemicals and electronics through the Household Hazardous Waste and Electronics Collection Program. There are several collection dates and locations throughout the year. For a complete list of acceptable items, as well as locations and dates for upcoming collections, visit www.nngov.com/public-works/sw/resources/hccp.
Smoke Detectors
Did you know that nearly one-third of residential fires and two-fifths of residential fire fatalities occur in homes with out smoke alarms? Working smoke alarms greatly reduce the likelihood of a residential fire-related fatal injury by providing occupants with early warning and giving them additional time to escape. If you are a Newport News homeowner, you can apply to have a free smoke alarm installed at no cost. If you rent, your landlord is legally responsible to supply a working smoke alarm. To request this free service visit www.nngov.com/fire/FDforms/smoke-alarm.
This information is courtesy of the City of Newport News City Manager's Office of Communications and Community Relations.
Neighborhood Relations Hotline
926-8450
neighbors@nngov.com
While you're here, check this out:
Newport News Citizen's Guide to Services
