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1. Who do I contact for bulk trash?

To schedule an appointment call 301-773-2069; Thursdays 9am - Tuesdays 2pm to get on the bulk trash list that Wednesday’s service. Appointments can also be scheduled online. Only 3 bulk items are permitted per week. Clothing, books, shoes, household items (i.e. pots, pan, utensils, etc.) should be placed into a box or bag (3 boxes = one item, 5 bags = one item).

How to Obtain Bulk Services On-Line

All residents in Municipalities that use Bates Trucking to provide their Bulk Trash Services can put in your request on-line. CLICK HERE to go directly to our Request for Service page under the Customer Center tab. Select ’Bulk Trash Service’ when you get to the Service Type and don’t forget to list up to three (3) bulk items in the Comments Section.  

2. How I do request a trash can for my property?

Contact the Town Hall at (301) 336-0626. Make sure to provide full name, address and contact number. Your request will be processed and delivery will be made between 7-10 business days. 

3. What is the process for requesting a new business license?

Owner must complete the Town of Capitol Heights Business License Application, provide a copy of owner’s drivers license, Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation (DLLR) permit, Prince George’s County, MD Certificate of Occupancy (U&O) Permit and status of Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation (SDAT) Good Standing letter.  

Additional documents may vary by business/organization, please contact Town Hall at 301-336-0626 for more information. 

Checks and money order payments can be made payable to Town of Capitol Heights. 

Visit the Business & Licensing page here for more information. 

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1. What is the form of government of Capitol Heights?

Capitol Heights is a council-manager form of government.

2. What is the council-manager form, which is used in so many local governments?

The council-manager form is the system of local government that combines the strong political leadership of elected officials in the form of a council or other governing body, with the strong managerial experience of an appointed local government manager. The form establishes a representative system where all power is concentrated in the elected council and where the council hires a professionally trained manager to oversee the delivery of public services.

3. Is it a responsive form of government?

In a council-manager form of government, council members are the leaders and policy makers elected to represent the community and to concentrate on policy issues that are responsive to citizens' needs and wishes. The town administrator is appointed by the Mayor and Council to carry out policy and ensure that the entire community is being served.

4. What is the Mayor and Council's function?

The Mayor and Council is the legislative body, and its members are the community's decision makers. Power is centralized in the elected Mayor and Council, which approves the budget and determines the tax rate, for example. The Mayor and Council also focuses on the community's goals, major projects, and long-term considerations, such as community growth, land use development, capital improvement plans, capital financing, and strategic planning. The Mayor and Council hire a professional town administrator to carry out the administrative responsibilities and supervise the manager's performance.

5. What is the Town Administrator’s function?

The town administrator is hired to serve the Mayor and Council and the community and to bring to the local government the benefits of training and experience in administering local government projects and programs on behalf of the governing body. The administrator prepares a budget for the Mayor and Council's consideration; makes recommendations to the Mayor and Council and Personnel Committee in regards to the recruitment and hiring of employees; supervises government's staff; serves as the Mayor and Council's chief adviser; and carries out the Mayor and Council's policies. The Mayor and Council and citizens count on the administrator to provide complete and objective information, pros and cons of alternatives, and long-term consequences.

6. Does the Town Administrator participate in policy determination?

The town administrator may make policy recommendations to the Mayor and Council, but the Mayor and Council may or may not adopt them and may modify the recommendations. The town administrator is bound by whatever action the Mayor and Council takes.

7. Are all council-manager governments structured the same way?

While the Town of Capitol Heights Mayor and Council are elected at large, other municipalities elect their councils by district. Some local governments have mayors who are elected by the voters at large. Still, others are elected by their colleagues on the council.

8. How much citizen participation is possible under council-manager government?

The Town of Capitol Heights welcomes citizen participation in the decision-making process. Because professional local government management offers government of the people, by the people, and for the people, it sets the stage for citizen activism by encouraging open communication between citizens and their government. Examples range from visioning, in which citizens play a major role in determining the future of their community, to the community planning and visioning process, which involves residents through the development of citizen/government partnerships; to community-service activities. Citizens also have the opportunity to present issues to the Mayor and Council at Citizen's Forum during general session meetings; talk one-on-one with the Mayor and Council before meetings in-person, or via email or telephone, or express their concerns at a public hearing. In addition, citizens are encouraged to become members of the Town’s various committees.

9. How is the Town Administrator selected?

The vacancy usually is announced in the ICMA Newsletter, and city managers, assistants, and others who are interested apply directly to the Mayor and Council. The Mayor and Council conducts a search for candidates, often by inviting managers in other communities to apply if they are interested. ICMA makes no recommendations regarding candidates. Further information is available in the handbook Recruitment Guidelines for Selecting a Local Government Administrator, published by ICMA. Source details come from the ICMA website.

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1. What are the Town Hours of operations?

Hours of Operation

Monday - Friday

9:00 A.M. - 5:00 P.M.

Subscribe to our website here and visit our page frequently for office closings and updates.

2. Who do I call for bulk item pickup? When is bulk trash pickup?

To schedule an appointment call Bates Trucking at 301-773-2069; Thursdays 9am - Tuesdays 2pm to get on the bulk trash list that Wednesday’s service. Appointments can also be scheduled online. Only 3 bulk items are permitted per week. Clothing, books, shoes, household items (i.e. pots, pan, utensils, etc.) should be placed into a box or bag (3 boxes = one item, 5 bags = one item).

How to Obtain Bulk Services On-Line

All residents in Municipalities that use Bates Trucking to provide their Bulk Trash Services can put in your request on-line. CLICK HERE to go directly to our Request for Service page under the Customer Center tab. Select ’Bulk Trash Service’ when you get to the Service Type and don’t forget to list up to three (3) bulk items in the Comments Section. 

3. What are the guidelines for bulk trash pickup requests?

Bulk Trash Pickup

Bates Trucking offers bulk trash collection to assist you with removing large unwanted items, such as large furniture, appliances, rugs/carpets, computers, televisions and other electronic items.

PG County Residents

If you live in Brentwood, District Heights, Riverdale Park, Capitol Heights, Seat Pleasant, Edmonston or Morningside your bulk trash service date is every Wednesday.  Please call Bates corporate office between Thursdays 9am – Tuesdays 2pm to get on the list for that Wednesday’s service.   All other Prince George’s County residents need to call (301) 952-7630 to obtain a date for bulk trash service.

Rates vary for private subscription customers based on location and the amount of materials to be collected. Call Bates Trucking today, to discuss with professional staff your bulk trash pickup needs 301-773-2069.

Large Bulk Items Include Refrigerators Stoves Washers/Dryers Sofas Dining Room Table & Chairs Cabinets Deep Freezers Commodes/Toilets Desks Recliners Floor Model TVs Ladders Lawn Mowers

Small Bulk Items Include Microwaves Lamps Small TVs Single Chairs Fans Broken Trash Cans Computers/Laptops/Printers Gardening Tools Mini Refrigerators

4. What are the pickup days for waste collection?

Trash

Pick up days & times are Tuesday’s and Friday’s, residents must have items out by 6:00 A.M. on the day of collection. Make sure to have trash in disposable bags and in a Bates trash container or personal garbage container with lid.

Recycle

Pick up days & times are Wednesday’s, residents must have items out by 6:00 A.M. on the day of collection. Make sure to have recycle in disposable bags and in a County recycle container or personal recycle container with lid.

Yard Waste

Pick up days & times are Monday’s, residents must have items out by 6:00 A.M. on the day of collection. Make sure to have yard waste in county approved heavy-duty paper bags. Limbs collected curbside must not exceed 4 feet in length and 3 inches in diameter and must be securely tied in bundles. 

5. When are Town Council meetings?

Work Sessions are held the 1st and 3rd Monday of each month at 7:00 P.M. 

Public Sessions are held the 2nd and 4th Monday of each month at 7:00 P.M.

In-person meetings are generally held at:

Vivian M. Dodson Municipal Center, Town of Capitol Heights
1 Capitol Heights Boulevard
Capitol Heights, MD 20743

Due to COVID-19, all Council Sessions are being held by Zoom. Please continue to check our website’s homepage for upcoming meeting information.  

6. How do I apply for Business License with the Town?

Owner must complete the Town of Capitol Heights Business License Application, provide a copy of owner’s drivers license, Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation (DLLR) permit, Prince George’s County, MD Certificate of Occupancy (U&O) Permit and status of Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation (SDAT) Good Standing letter.  

Additional documents may vary by business/organization, please contact Town Hall at 301-336-0626 for more information. 

Checks and money order payments can be made payable to Town of Capitol Heights. 

Visit the Business & Licensing page here for more information. 

7. How do I find out about more information on Economic Development opportunities in the Town?

Please call Town Hall at 301-336-0626.

8. How can I find out more about Town Projects and Events?

Stay connected by liking us and/or following us on the Capitol Heights Facebook page and the Capitol Heights Twitter page.

9. Whom do I contact if there is a street light out in front of my house?

We do apologize for the inconvenience. Please contact Pepco and provide the pole number so the issue can be fixed immediately at 1-877-737-2662.

10. There is an abandoned house next door to me and the grass needs to be cut, who is responsible for that?

We do apologize for the inconvenience, and, if you can please provide the residences exact address, we can further assist you.

If the property is within our Incorporated Town, then our Property Standards Authority division will seek to gain further information on the owner. Once the owner is contacted, the property must be in good standing within 30 days. However, if the property is not cleaned, then the Town is responsible for cutting the property and cleaning all trash and debris and a lien is then placed on the property.

For more information please feel free to contact us the Property Standards Department at 301-420-3000.

11. Bates accidentally missed my house, will they come back and pick up my trash?

Please contact Bates Trucking directly at 301-773-2069.

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1. How to do I find my impounded vehicle?

Please contact the police department at 301-420-2444 or stop by the administrative office at 401 Capitol Heights Boulevard, Capitol Heights, MD 20743 to obtain a vehicle release form. You must pay $125 by cash or money order.  

2. How would I obtain a court date for my parking citation?

You have 10 days to request a court date. To find phone number and additional information, please look at the details on the back of your ticket. If you cannot locate your ticket please call our administrative office at 301-420-2444.

3. How do I pay a parking ticket?

To pay a parking ticket you may come to 401 Capitol Heights Boulevard, Capitol Heights, MD 20743. Please be sure to have your tag number and payment (cash or money order). You may also make payment online through our GovPayNet system, visit this page here for more information. 

For additional information, please refer to the back of your ticket. 

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1. When do I need a permit?

A permit is required when a property owner wants to erect, construct, enlarge, alter, move, improve, remove, connect, demolish or raze any building or structure, change an exit, or alter/install any equipment regulated by Prince George's County Building Code.

2. How may I request an extension for violations cited?

Contact Property Standards Authority at 301-420-3000, between the hours of 9am - 5pm, Monday - Friday, and provide your name and property address. You will be connected to the appropriate inspector for your home... at time the inspector will consider your request. Extensions are granted on a case - by - case basis.