Garbage Container Storage Requirements in West Winds HOA

Here in the West Winds Subdivision, we take pride in maintaining a welcoming community where everyone can feel at home. Part of what makes our neighborhood such a pleasant environment is the collective effort we all put into keeping our properties clean and well-kept. That's why we're revisiting key requirements from the West Winds HOA's CC&Rs (Declaration of Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions) and highlighting related City of Bozeman Ordinances that help ensure we're all doing our part.

Garbage Bins: Let's Keep Them Out of Sight

Let's face it—nobody wants to see trash bins or bags sitting out long after garbage day. It's not just about keeping things tidy; it's about maintaining the aesthetic of our neighborhood and protecting our property values.

Why This Matters

Proper garbage container storage isn't just a rule—it's a practical benefit to everyone in West Winds:

Property Values: Homes in neighborhoods with consistently well-maintained exteriors sell for more and sell faster. Visible garbage containers are often cited by real estate professionals as a detractor in property valuations and curb appeal assessments.

Wildlife & Pests: Bozeman's urban wildlife (bears, magpies, raccoons, skunks, and rodents) are attracted to garbage odors. Containers left visible often means they're accessible, creating safety hazards and attracting animals into residential areas. Proper storage inside garages or behind solid screening reduces wildlife encounters and protects both families and animals.

Wind & Weather: Montana weather can turn garbage day into a neighborhood-wide cleanup day. Containers left out are susceptible to being blown over, knocked around, or having their contents scattered by wind, rain, and snow. Prompt removal prevents this mess and the burden it places on neighbors.

Visual Harmony: When we all store containers out of sight, the collective impact creates a cohesive, attractive neighborhood. One or two visible containers may seem minor, but when multiple properties leave containers out, it creates a cluttered, unattractive appearance that affects everyone's aesthetic perceptions and

enjoyment of the community.

Safety: Containers left on sidewalks, driveways, or near streets create obstacles for pedestrians, cyclists, children playing, and vehicles. Prompt removal keeps pathways clear and safe for everyone.

In accordance with our West Winds HOA governing documents, trash, debris, and garbage must not be visible from any Lot, the Common Areas, or the street except on designated collection days. Residents may place trash and garbage in approved containers curbside starting the night before collection. Containers must be removed from view by the end of the collection day.

Additionally, no incinerators or piles of refuse are allowed, and trash burning is strictly prohibited. No refuse pile, garbage, compost pile, or unsightly objects shall be allowed to be placed, accumulated, or suffered to remain anywhere on the Property. Keeping things clean prevents unsightly views and helps prevent odors, pests, and safety hazards.

Garbage cans must NOT be stored and visible from any Lot, the Common Areas, or the street - except on designated collection days

Where to Properly Store Your Garbage Containers

To avoid violations, all garbage and recycling containers must be stored inside the garage or in an approved screened location, except on designated collection days, in full compliance with the HOA CC&Rs and applicable City regulations.

Under the HOA’s governing documents, any visible storage of garbage or recycling containers — including those stacked neatly in front or on the side of garages, stored on sidewalk entryways, or partially hidden behind a shrub or vehicles — is not permitted outside of collection days.

As cited in CC&Rs Section 13.12 (Garbage), containers must be stored entirely out of sight on non-collection days, such as:

• Inside a garage

• Behind a solid wood fence or other HOA-approved screening option, fully concealed from view at all angles (including alleys, sidewalks, and neighboring lots)

• In a side or rear yard area completely screened by HOA-approved fencing or landscaping and not visible to neighboring properties or passersby

Need Help Finding a Compliant Solution?

If you’re unsure whether a proposed storage solution meets the visibility requirements, feel free to email a photo or sketch for pre-approval before relocating your containers. Our goal is to help you find a compliant solution while avoiding fines or escalated enforcement.

If you need to install screening (fence, landscaping, shed, or other structure) to achieve compliant storage, you must submit a complete Architectural Control Committee (ACC) Review Application and receive written approval from the HOA prior to installation or construction. We're here to help you find solutions that work within our community standards.

City of Bozeman - Garbage Ordinances

In line with the City of Bozeman's ordinance (Sec. 32.02.040), garbage containers are allowed within the street right-of-way the night before and the day of solid waste collection only. Once the collection is complete, the containers must be stored off public right-of-ways (streets and sidewalks) for the remainder of the time. Following both the CC&Rs and the city ordinance helps ensure our streets and sidewalks remain clear, safe, and clutter-free.

Let's Work Together!

West Winds thrives because of our individual and collective commitments and efforts to make West Winds a beautiful and attractive neighborhood. By following these simple guidelines from our HOA and the City of Bozeman, we help protect the beauty of our surroundings and the value of our properties. We know everyone takes pride in their homes, so let's continue to work together to ensure our neighborhood remains a clean, safe, and inviting place for all.

Thank you for your cooperation and commitment to keeping West Winds at its best!

Report A CC&Rs Violation

Applicable West Winds HOA CC&Rs Definitions:

• As per CC&Rs Section 13.12 GARBAGE:

[...] No garbage or trash shall be kept, maintained, or contained in or upon the Property so as to be visible from a Lot or the Common Areas or the street except temporarily, in containers approved by Association Rules, for the day of pickup. [...] 

[...] No cans, bags, containers or receptacles for the storing or disposal of trash, garbage, refuse, rubble, or debris will be stored, kept, placed or maintained on any Lot where visible from any street except solely on a day designated for removal of garbage and rubbish and on which days only such cans, bags, containers, and receptacles may be placed in front of a residence and beside a street for removal but will be removed from view before the following day. [...]

• Section 1.28 "Lot" means any area of the Property designated as a Lot on any subdivision plat subject to the West Winds CC&Rs

  
  

• Section 1.39 "Property" means any real property now or hereafter made subject to the West Winds CC&Rs together with all buildings, improvements, and other permanent fixtures of whatever kind now or hereafter located thereon, and all easements, rights, appurtenances, and privileges belonging or in any way pertaining thereto.

  
  

• Section 1.48 "Visible from Neighboring Property" means, with respect to any given object, that the object is or would be visible to a six-foot-tall person standing at ground level on any part of the adjoining or neighboring property at an elevation no greater than the elevation of the base of the object being viewed, except where the object is visible solely through a view fence and would not be visible if the view fence were a solid fence pursuant to Article XVII which subjects additional property to this Declaration and/or imposes, expressly or by reference, additional restrictions and obligations on the land described therein.

The content provided in this blog/news story is intended for informational purposes only. It is designed to offer a simplified and reader-friendly overview of pertinent sections of the West Wind HOA's Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions (CC&Rs), as well as the relevant city of Bozeman regulations, ordinances, or laws. While every effort is made to ensure accuracy, this content should not be considered a substitute for the actual governing documents, applicable city laws, ordinances, or legal advice. Homeowners and residents are advised to consult the full, legally binding governing documents and city regulations or seek professional legal counsel for official reference or legal purposes.