GDocs Link to Storeport G2
GDocs Link to Storeport G2

Sec. 58-35. Abandoned shopping carts.

(a) The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this section, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this subsection, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning: Cart means any rolling or nonrolling basket or container commonly used in supermarkets or self-service stores.
Property means any cart.

Store means an individual store, chain store or supermarket.
(b) It shall be unlawful for any person to abandon or suffer to be abandoned any cart from any store on any street, highway, alley, boulevard or other public place within the city.

(c) Whenever any cart is found abandoned on any street, highway, boulevard, alley or other public place in the city, the cart shall be impounded by the city, which shall notify the owner thereof, who may reclaim the cart by the payment of an amount to be determined from time to time by resolution of the city council to cover the costs of such impoundment. If the property is not reclaimed in a reasonable time, not to exceed 30 days after receipt of notice, it shall be disposed of by the city as unclaimed property.
(Code 1984, § 15-31)
Cross references: Municipal civil infractions, § 1-26.
Note: Pursuant to Ord. No. 99-18, adopted December 20, 1999, a person who violates this section is responsible for a civil infraction.

About Shopping Cart Ordinances

Retailers can struggle to stop cart abandonment, often paying up to $15,000 a year on replacement carts and municipal fines and fees due imposed by communities. These cart regulations and laws are put in place to not only control the environmental impact of abandoned carts, but also to keep towns and cities clean.

Most shopping cart ordinances fall into three categories: The first category is regulations requiring retailers to have a plan to contain and collect errant shopping carts. Secondly, those that define the fines and penalties a city may impose on retailers for abandoned or errant shopping carts. Finally, the third category of rules generally requires retailers to have a system to contain shopping carts, preventing abandonment.