Rules push donation bins out of sight

FINDLAY — Findlay's new zoning rules on the placement of donation bins have been in place for only a few months, and they're already fading from the landscape. The rules, approved by city council in November 2025, were written to make donation bins less visible, tucked beside buildings or at the rear of a property instead of stacked along Tiffin Avenue and other prominent locations. In an April 20 letter to council, Zoning Administrator Erik Adkins said the city identified 25 donation bins during its first enforcement sweep, with most having already been brought into compliance. According to the update, 16 sites are now in full compliance after property owners removed the bins, and five remaining non-compliant locations are scheduled for removal. Three locations, including Chipotle on Tiffin Avenue, Stevie B's Pizza and the Hancock County Humane Society, have obtained permits and meet the zoning requirements. The Humane Society also received a variance. One site, the Salvation Army Thrift Store, is exempt under the ordinance. The new rules followed concerns about the number and placement of bins along major corridors. A 2024 count found 30 bins on Tiffin Avenue alone, many placed front and center. Under the ordinance, the placement of a donation bin can require a permit, the number of bins per property is limited, and bins must be placed at the side or rear of a property. Non‑compliance is treated like any other zoning violation and could lead to possible court action. Adkins said enforcement has emphasized voluntary compliance, noting that "the majority of non-conforming donation bins have been removed without the need for escalated enforcement measures." He said zoning staff will continue monitoring the permitted and exempt locations to ensure they remain in compliance.