Chapter 1 — REGULATION OF WRECKING AND SALVAGE YARDS — Humboldt County Zoning Code

Sections: § 371-1. Definition. § 371-2. Location of Wrecking and Salvage Yards. § 371-3. Enclosure or Wrecking and Salvage Yards. § 371-4. Height Limitations of Items in Wrecking and Salvage Yards. § 371-5. Applicability. § 371-11. Penalty.

371-1. Definition.

A wrecking and salvage yard is any aggregate area of more than 200 square feet within any parcel, lot or contiguous lots of real property which is used as a place where imported waste, inoperable machinery, inoperable motor vehicles or discarded or salvaged materials are disassembled, handled, placed, processed, baled, packaged or stored. The term “wrecking and salvage yard” includes, but is not limited to, auto and trailer wrecking yards, other wrecking yards, scrap metal yards, used lumber yards and places or yards for storage of salvaged house wrecking and structural steel material and equipment. Any of the activities or conditions that would otherwise be a wrecking and salvage yard shall not constitute a wrecking or salvage yard if conducted entirely within a completely enclosed building. The term “wrecking and salvage yard” does not include areas used for the sale or storage or operable automobiles, tractors, farm machinery, house trailers or boats. The term “wrecking or salvage yard” also does not include areas used for the salvaging of materials incidental to and used in manufacturing or farming

The Humboldt County Code is current through Ordinance 2784, passed March 10, 2026.

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operations, providing such salvaging of materials takes place where the manufacturing or farming is done. (Ord. 457, § 1, 6/11/1963)

371-2. Location of Wrecking and Salvage Yards.

No wrecking and salvage yard shall be operated, maintained or established in any area or location unless one of the following conditions are met:

(a) Such area or location is zoned in such a manner as to allow the operation, maintenance and establishment of a wrecking and salvage yard and, if required by the applicable zoning provision, a use permit has been obtained.

(b) A permit for the operation, maintenance and establishment of a wrecking and salvage yard is obtained from the Planning Commission of the County of Humboldt. There shall be a Twenty Dollar ($20.00) fee for filing of such application. Notice of said application and hearing shall be published at least ten (10) days before the hearing date in a newspaper of general circulation. The application may be granted if the Planning Commission determines that such action will not be detrimental to neighboring property. The action of the Planning Commission shall not become final for thirty (30) days, and within such period of time appeal may be made to the Board of Supervisors. In the event of appeal, the Board of Supervisors shall hold a hearing on the matter and notice thereof shall be given in the same manner as in the case of the hearing before the Planning Commission. In the event of an appeal, the decision of the Board of Supervisors shall be final and conclusive. The permit procedure provided for herein shall not be applicable in the event that the area or location proposed for a wrecking and salvage yard has already been zoned in such manner as to preclude the operation, maintenance or establishment or wrecking and salvage yards. (Ord. 457, § 2, 6/11/1963)

371-3. Enclosure or Wrecking and Salvage Yards.

Each and every wrecking and salvage yard shall be completely enclosed by a fence or wall. Such fence or wall shall be of solid construction, except that at the option of the operator of the wrecking and salvage yard, such fence or wall may be constructed so as to have a gap or gaps of not to exceed two inches (2") per lineal foot of fence or wall. Such fence or wall shall have a solid door or gate which, except during normal business hours, shall be opened only for ingress and egress. (Ord. 457, § 3, 6/11/1963)

371-4. Height Limitations of Items in Wrecking and Salvage Yards.

Individual items located in wrecking and salvage yards shall not be placed in piles or stacks in such manner as to cause such piles or stacks to be higher than the fence or wall required herein. (Ord. 457, § 4, 6/11/1963)

The Humboldt County Code is current through Ordinance 2784, passed March 10, 2026.

Page 1122 of 1183

Title III Land Use and Development | Humboldt County Code

371-5. Applicability.

The provisions of this chapter shall be applicable in all of the unincorporated areas of the County. (Ord. 457, § 7, 6/ 11/1963)

371-11. Penalty.

Violation of any provisions of this chapter by any person, firm or corporation shall constitute a misdemeanor. (Ord. 457, § 7, 6/11/1963)