Mortgage Closing for house within in City limits (Atlanta: zoned, cost)

[fman]

Hi all,

I am close to closing on a house in the Atlanta city limits and noticed a charge on our goodfaith estimate. It is under the breakdown for our monthly payment and listed as "other". It is for $54 a month and the processor told me this is a charge from the city of Atlanta and directed me to the City of Atlanta website. It seems like this charge is for trash pickup. I am wondering if this is a requirement by all city dwellers or do you have a choice? Thanks!

[WhittierMillVillage]

$54 a month seems too high for the Sanitation Tax, which is what they are referring to, UNLESS your property is very wide at the street. It is supposed to be based on street frontage. So, if your property is wide enough, it could be that much. My lot, for example, is only 60 feet wide along the street. My bill for the year is usually just under $400. So, if you have a much wider lot, then I can see it being $648 a year.

I am not aware that you can "opt out" of having trash service...maybe you can. What would you do with your waste? It seems like not too much to pay for weekly trash collection, weekly recycling pickup, weekly yard trimmings pickup, and periodic street cleaning (another service that is included). We were on an every-other-week schedule for recycling and yard trimmings, but they are about to go back to weekly. Yay.

[fman]

Originally Posted by WhittierMillVillage

$54 a month seems too high for the Sanitation Tax, which is what they are referring to, UNLESS your property is very wide at the street. It is supposed to be based on street frontage. So, if your property is wide enough, it could be that much. My lot, for example, is only 60 feet wide along the street. My bill for the year is usually just under $400. So, if you have a much wider lot, then I can see it being $648 a year.

I am not aware that you can "opt out" of having trash service...maybe you can. What would you do with your waste? It seems like not too much to pay for weekly trash collection, weekly recycling pickup, weekly yard trimmings pickup, and periodic street cleaning (another service that is included). We were on an every-other-week schedule for recycling and yard trimmings, but they are about to go back to weekly. Yay.

Thanks for the reply. It isn't a matter of cost, just coming from the burbs I am trying to find out how things operate. I looked again and the cost is listed at $57.77 my lot is 24ft wide.

[fman]

I just found out from the city that since my house is zoned a duplex I am being charged double. However, since I do not have a second kitchen I can get the extra charge dropped by the county appraiser.