Sacramento County has approved new regulations aimed at reducing the unsightly nuisance and blight of abandoned shopping carts and reduce the County’s cost of retrieving them. The Department of Community Development’s ordinance requires business owners who provide shopping carts for customers to submit an Abandoned Cart Prevention Plan outlining measures to be taken to eliminate the removal of carts from their premises.
“More than 300 carts are picked up each month; carts that are not picked up interfere with vehicle and pedestrian traffic and are subject to theft,” said Susan Peters, Supervisor for District 3. “Having businesses submit an Abandoned Cart Prevention Plan and focus on steps to prevent the theft of carts will help reduce these problems and help maintain property values in our unincorporated areas.”
The ordinance, similar to those in many cities and counties, will require businesses to submit a Plan to the Sacramento County’s Planning Director. The application will include an outline of how they will prevent carts from being removed from their property and retrieve them if they are removed. Plans must include these elements:
Carts must be identified with the name and address of the business
Notice to customers explaining that removal of the carts is prohibited
A description of measure that will prevent cart removal such as disabling devices on carts, posting of a security guard, locks on carts stored outside when the business is closed, etc.
An effective daily procedure for retrieval of abandoned carts
Input was sought from a variety of stakeholders to craft this ordinance, including the California Grocers Association, local business organizations, chambers of commerce, and Property and Business Improvement Districts.
“We are confident that we have a workable plan that will help improve the livability of our communities without putting too much of a strain on our local businesses,” said Bradley J. Hudson, County Executive.
To report an abandoned shopping cart in the unincorporated area, please call: 311 (or 916-875-4311).
