Dealer Challenges Cincinnati’s Tough Scrap Metal Ordinance

A scrapyard has filed a lawsuit against Cincinnati, saying a new ordinance placing restrictions scrap metal sales will drive away customers.

The Cincinnati Enquirer reported that the lawsuit filed by Garden Street Iron & Metal Inc. in U.S. District Court last Friday says the rules violate the U.S. Constitution’s protection for interstate commerce.

The city’s rules require permits, background checks, licensing and additional record-keeping.

Much of Garden Street’s metal is shipped in from other states. A company lawyer says sellers have said they will stop doing business.

The city passed the ordinance in an effort to curb the theft of scrap metal. High prices for copper and other metals in a struggling economy have spurred metal thefts. Police said such thefts accounted for 40 percent of the city’s break-ins and burglaries last year.