Fowler Municipal Code Ch. 9.225 Recycling Facilities

The purpose of this Chapter is to establish standards and requirements for recycling facilities.

The requirements contained in this Chapter shall apply to the following types of recycling facility uses:

A. Reverse vending machines.

B. Recycling collection facilities.

C. Recycling processing facilities.

A. Permit Required. All recycling facility uses shall be subject to approval of the specified permit as designated in the Tables of Allowed Land Uses and Approval Requirements in Article 3 (Zones) of this Title.

B. Exceptions. Reverse vending machines contained within a commercial building and not greater than fifty (50) square feet do not require review and permits under this Chapter, provided they comply with all applicable development standards.

A. General Standards. The following development and performance standards shall apply to all recycling facility uses subject to this Chapter.

1. No unattended facilities. All outdoor recycling facilities shall be attended to and administered by on-site personnel during the hours the facility is open.

2. Secured site. The site shall be secured from unauthorized entry and from deposit or removal of materials when attendants are not present.

3. Cameras. Security cameras shall be placed at locations and be of sufficient quality to identify customers. Surveillance video shall be recorded on a minimum seven-day loop. Access to such video shall be provided to Fowler Police Department within twenty-four (24) hours of a request to aid in any criminal investigation.

4. Screening. The facility shall be screened from the public right-of-way by operating in an enclosed building or within an area enclosed by solid wood, vinyl fence, or masonry wall at least six (6) feet in height and which is setback by a two-foot landscape buffer.

5. Setbacks. Setbacks from property lines shall be those required for the zoning district in which the facility is located.

6. Residential setback. The facility shall be located at least six hundred (600) feet from property zoned or occupied for residential use.

7. Parking. No parking shall be required for reverse vending machines. Two (2) parking spaces shall be provided for collection facilities. Parking for processing facilities shall comply with the standards of Chapter 9.180 (Parking and Loading Standards).

8. Hours of operation. If the facility is located within six hundred (600) feet of property zoned, planned, or occupied for residential use, it shall not be in operation between the hours of 8:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m.

9. Containers. All exterior storage of material shall be in sturdy containers or enclosures which are covered, secured, and maintained in good condition. Alternatively, material may be baled or placed on pallets if completely screened from view. No storage shall be visible above the height of the fencing, screening, or landscaping.

10. Site maintenance. The site shall be maintained free of litter, dust, flies, odors, and any other undesirable materials, and cleaned of loose debris on a daily basis.

11. Containment. No material shall be left outside the recycling containers. The facility shall display a notice stating that no material shall be left outside the recycling containers. The containers shall be clearly marked to identify the type of material that may be deposited.

12. Signs. Sign criteria shall be those applicable to the zoning district in which the facility is located.

13. Posted information. The facility shall be clearly marked with the name and phone number of the facility operator, their state license number, the hours of operation, and an after-hours contact number that may be reached twenty-four (24) hours a day, seven (7) days a week.

14. Power equipment. Power-driven processing, including aluminum foil and can compacting, baling, plastic shredding, or other light processing activities necessary for the efficient temporary storage and shipment of material, may be approved at the discretion of the approving authority if noise restrictions and other conditions are met.

B. Processing Facilities. The following standards shall apply to processing facilities.

1. Processing facilities shall only be permitted in fully enclosed buildings. There shall be no outdoor storage of equipment or materials of any kind. The facility shall be located at least one hundred fifty (150) feet from property zoned or designated for residential use.

2. A processing facility may accept used motor oil for recycling from the generator in accordance with Section 25250.11 of the California Health and Safety Code.