Article 10 — Recycling Facilities

The purpose of this chapter is to establish standards and procedures for the siting and operation of various types and sizes of commercial recycling facilities. (§ 1, Ord. 666-NS, eff. September 15, 2001)

Any operator of a recycling facility intending to operate within the City shall comply with all of the following provisions/standards:

1. Recycling facilities are allowed in compliance with the following schedule:

For the purpose of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply:

• A. "Collection facility" means a center for the acceptance by donation, redemption or purchase of recyclable materials from the public, which may include the following:

  • (1) Reverse vending machine(s);

  • (2) Small collection facilities which occupy an area of less than 500 square feet and may include:

    • a. A mobile unit;

    • b. Bulk reverse vending machines or a grouping of reverse vending machines occupying more than 50 square feet; and

    • c. Kiosk-type units which may include permanent structures.

  • (3) Large collection facilities which may occupy an area of more than 500 square feet and may include permanent structures.

• B. "Mobile recycling unit" means an automobile, truck, trailer or van, licensed by the Department of Motor Vehicles that is used for the collection of recyclable materials, including bins, boxes

or containers transported by trucks, vans or trailers and used for the collection of recyclable materials;

• C. "Convenience zones" means an area within a two mile radius of a supermarket;

• D. "Supermarket" means a full-service, self-service retail store with gross annual sales of two million dollars or more and which sells a line of dry grocery, canned goods or non-food items and some perishable items;

• E. "Processing facility" means a facility used for the collection and processing of recyclable materials to prepare for either efficient shipment or to an end-user's specifications by means of baling, briquetting, compacting, flattening, grinding, crushing, mechanical sorting, shredding, cleaning and remanufacturing. Processing facilities include the following:

  • (1) A light processing facility occupies an area of under 45,000 square feet of collection, processing and storage area and averages two outbound truck shipments each day. Light processing facilities are limited to baling, briquetting, crushing, compacting, grinding, shredding and sorting of source separated recyclable materials sufficient to qualify as a certified processing facility. A light processing facility shall not shred, compact or bale ferrous metals other than food and beverage containers; and

  • (2) A heavy processing facility is any processing facility other than a light processing facility.

• F. "Recycling facility" means a center for the collection and/or processing of recyclable materials. A certified recycling facility or certified processor is certified by the California Department of Conservation as meeting the requirements of State law (California Beverage Container Recycling and Litter Reduction Act of 1986). A recycling facility does not include storage containers located on a residential, commercial or industrial designated parcel used solely for the recycling of material generated on the parcel;

• G. "Recycling or recyclable material" means reusable domestic containers including, but not limited to, metals, glass, plastic and paper which are intended for reuse, remanufacture, or reconstitution for the purpose of using in altered form. Recyclable material does not include refuse or hazardous materials; and

• H. "Reverse vending machine" means an automated mechanical device which accepts at least one or more types of empty beverage containers including, but not limited to, aluminum cans, glass and plastic bottles and issues a cash refund or a redeemable credit slip with a value not less than the container's redemption value as determined by State law. A reverse vending machine may sort and process containers mechanically provided that the entire process is enclosed within the machine. In order to accept and temporarily store all container types in a proportion commensurate with their relative redemption rates and to meet the requirements of certification as a recycling facility, multiple grouping of reverse vending machines may be necessary.

A bulk reverse vending machine is a reverse vending machine that is larger than 50 square feet, is designed to accept more than one container at a time, and will pay by weight instead of by container.

2. All recycling facilities shall comply with the following standards:

   • A. Reverse vending machine(s) located within a commercial structure shall not require additional parking spaces for recycling customers and may be permitted only in the C-N, C-G and MPD zoning districts with a Development Permit subject to the following standards:

     • (1) Shall be installed as an accessory use to a commercial use which is in full compliance with all applicable provisions of this Code and the Municipal Code;

     • (2) Shall be located within 30 feet of the entrance to the commercial structure and shall not obstruct pedestrian or vehicular circulation;

   • (3) Shall not occupy parking spaces required by the primary use;

   • (4) Shall occupy no more than 50 square feet of floor space for each installation, including any protective enclosure and shall be no more than eight feet in height;

   • (5) Shall be constructed and maintained with durable waterproof and rustproof materials;

   • (6) Shall be clearly marked to identify the type of material to be deposited, operating instructions and the identity and phone number of the operator or responsible person to call if the machine is inoperative;

   • (7) Shall have a maximum sign area of four square feet for each machine, exclusive of operating instructions;

• (8) Shall be maintained in a clean, sanitary, odor-free and litter-free condition and shall be cleaned of loose debris on a daily basis;

  • (9) Shall have operating hours which are consistent with the operating hours of the primary use;

  • (11) Shall be illuminated to ensure comfortable and safe operation if operating hours are between dusk and dawn; and

  • (12) Shall maintain adequate refuse containers on-site for the disposal of nonhazardous waste.

• B. Small collection facilities located within the C-G and MPD zoning districts shall be subject to the approval of a Development Permit and the following standards:

  • (1) Shall be installed as an accessory use to a commercial use which is in full compliance with all applicable provisions of this Code and the Municipal Code;

  • (2) Shall be no larger than 500 square feet and occupy no more than three parking spaces not including space that will be periodically needed for removal of materials or exchange of containers;

  • (3) Shall be set back at least 10 feet from any public right-of-way and not obstruct pedestrian or vehicular circulation;

  • (4) Shall accept only glass, metals, plastic containers, papers and reusable items; (5) Shall use no power-driven processing equipment except for reverse vending machines;

  • (6) Shall use containers that are constructed and maintained with durable waterproof and rustproof materials, covered when site is not attended, secured from unauthorized entry or removal of materials, and shall be of a capacity sufficient to accommodate materials collected and the collection schedule;

  • (7) Shall store all recyclable material in the mobile unit vehicle and shall not leave materials outside of the unit when attendant is not present;

  • (8) Shall be maintained in a clean, sanitary, odor-free and litter-free condition and shall be cleaned of loose debris on a daily basis;

  • (9) Noise levels shall not exceed 60 dBA as measured at the property line of the nearest residential zoning district(s)/uses in compliance with Article 5 of this chapter (Noise Standards);

  • (10) Shall not be located within 30 feet of any residential zoning district/use;

  • (11) Collection containers, site fencing, and signs shall be of a color and design which is both compatible and harmonious with the surrounding uses and neighborhood;

  • (12) Containers shall be clearly marked to identify the type of material which may be deposited; the facility shall be clearly marked to identify the name and telephone number of the facility operator and the hours of operation and display a notice stating that no material shall be left outside the recycling enclosure;

  • (13) Signs may be provided as follows:

    • a. Recycling facilities may have identification signs with a maximum area of 15% for each side of a structure or 16 square feet, whichever is greater. In the case of a wheeled facility, the side will be measured from the ground to the top of the container;

    • b. Signs shall be consistent with the character of their location; and

• c. Directional signs, consistent with Article 12 of this chapter (Sign Standards), bearing no advertising message may be installed with the approval of the Director if found necessary to facilitate traffic circulation or if the facility is not directly visible from the public right-of-way.

  • (14) The facility shall not impair the landscaping required by Article 4 of this chapter (Landscaping Standards) for any concurrent use allowed by this Code;

  • (15) No additional parking space shall be required for customers of a small collection facility located in the established parking lot of the primary use. One space will be provided for the attendant, if needed;

  • (16) Mobile recycling units shall have an area clearly marked to prohibit other vehicular parking during hours when the mobile unit is scheduled to be present;

  • (17) Occupation of parking spaces by the facility and by the attendant shall not reduce available parking spaces below the minimum number required for the primary use unless all of the following conditions exist:

    • a. A parking study shows that existing parking capacity is not already fully utilized during the time the recycling facility will be on the site; and

    • b. The permit shall be reviewed at the end of one year and again thereafter, as determined by the Review Authority.

  • (18) Small collection facilities shall not operate outside of the hours of the main use and shall not be 24 hour operations;

  • (19) Small collection facilities may be subject to landscaping and/or screening as determined by the Review Authority; and

  • (20) Shall maintain adequate refuse containers on-site for the disposal of nonhazardous waste.

• C. A large collection facility, which is larger than 500 square feet or on a separate parcel and not accessory to a "primary" use, and which has a permanent structure, is permitted only in the MPD zoning district, subject to the approval of a Conditional Use Permit and the following standards:

  • (1) The facility shall not be located adjacent to any residential zoning district/use;

  • (2) The facility shall be screened from all public rights-of-way;

  • (3) Structure setbacks and landscape requirements shall comply with those provided for the MPD zoning district;

  • (4) All exterior storage of material shall be in sturdy containers or enclosures which are covered, secured, and maintained in good condition at all times. Storage containers for

flammable materials shall be constructed of nonflammable materials. Outdoor storage shall be screened by a six foot high, solid decorative masonry wall. No storage, excluding truck trailers, shall be visible above the height of the required wall;

• (5) The facility shall be maintained in a clean, sanitary and litter-free condition. Loose debris shall be collected on a daily basis and the site shall be secured from unauthorized entry and removal of materials when attendants are not present;

• (6) Space shall be provided on-site for six vehicles to circulate and to deposit recyclable materials;

• (7) Four parking spaces for employees plus one parking space for each commercial vehicle operated by the recycling facility shall be provided on-site;

  • (8) Noise levels shall not exceed 60 dBA as measured at the property line of the nearest residential zoning district(s)/uses in compliance with Article 5 of this chapter (Noise Standards);

  • (9) If the facility is located within 500 feet of property zoned or used for residential purposes, it shall not be in operation between the hours of 7:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m.;

  • (10) Any containers provided for "after hours" donation of recyclable materials shall be permanently located at least 50 feet from any residential zoning district/use, constructed of sturdy, rustproof materials, with sufficient capacity to accommodate materials collected;

  • (11) Donation areas shall be kept free of litter and any other undesirable material and the containers shall be clearly marked to identify the type of material that may be deposited. The facility shall display a notice stating that no material shall be left outside the recycling containers;

  • (12) The facility shall be clearly marked with the name and phone number of the facility operator and the hours of operation. Signs shall be installed in compliance with Article 12 of this chapter (Sign Standards);

  • (13) No dust, fumes, smoke, vibration or odor above ambient levels shall be detectable from adjacent parcels; and

  • (14) The facility shall maintain adequate refuse containers on-site for the disposal of nonhazardous waste.

• D. Light processing facilities and heavy processing facilities shall be permitted only in the MPD zoning district subject to the approval of a Conditional Use Permit and the following standards:

  • (1) The facility shall not be located adjacent to any residential zoning district/use;

  • (2) Processors shall operate within a completely enclosed structure if located within 500 feet of any residential zoning district or a C-N zoning district;

  • (3) Power-driven processing shall be permitted provided all noise levels are in compliance with Article 5 of this chapter (Noise Standards). Light processing facilities are limited to baling, briquetting, crushing, compacting, grinding, shredding and sorting of sourceseparated recyclable materials and repairing of reusable materials;

  • (4) A light processing facility shall be no larger than 45,000 square feet and shall have no more than an average of two outbound truck shipments of material each day and shall not shred, compact or bale ferrous metals other than food and beverage containers. A heavy processor may exceed 45,000 square feet and two outbound truck shipments each day, and may perform those functions not allowed at light processing facilities;

• (5) Structure setbacks and landscape requirements shall comply with those provided for the MPD zoning district;

• (6) All exterior storage of material shall be in sturdy containers or enclosures which are covered, secured, and maintained in good condition at all times. Storage containers for flammable materials shall be constructed of nonflammable materials. Outdoor storage shall be screened by a seven foot high, solid decorative masonry wall, or as determined by the Commission. No storage, excluding truck trailers, shall be visible above the height of the required wall;

• (7) The premises shall be maintained in a clean, sanitary, odor-free and litter-free condition. Loose debris shall be collected on a daily basis and the site shall be secured from unauthorized entry and removal of materials when attendants are not present;

• (8) Space shall be provided on-site for the anticipated peak load of customers to circulate, park and deposit recyclable materials. If the facility is open to the public, an on-site parking area shall be provided with a minimum of five spaces at any one time;

• (9) One employee parking space shall be provided on-site for each commercial vehicle operated by the processing center;

• (10) Noise levels shall not exceed 60 dBA as measured at the property line of the nearest residential zoning district(s)/uses, in compliance with Article 5 of this chapter (Noise Standards);

• (11) If the facility is located within 500 feet of property zoned or used for residential purposes, it shall not be in operation between the hours of 7:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. The facility shall be administered by on-site personnel during normal business hours;

• (12) Any containers provided for "after hours" donation of recyclable materials shall be permanently located at least 100 feet from any residential zoning district/use, constructed of sturdy, rustproof materials, with sufficient capacity to accommodate materials collected;

• (13) Donation areas shall be kept free of litter and any other undesirable material and the containers shall be clearly marked to identify the type of material that may be deposited. The facility shall display a notice stating that no material shall be left outside the recycling containers;

• (14) The facility shall be clearly marked with the name and phone number of the facility operator and the hours of operation. Signs shall be installed in compliance with Article 12 of this chapter (Sign Standards);

• (15) No dust, fumes, smoke, vibration or odor above ambient levels shall be detectable from adjacent parcels; and

• (16) Adequate refuse containers shall be maintained on-site for the disposal of nonhazardous waste.

(§ 1, Ord. 666-NS, eff. September 15, 2001)

The applicant may be required as a condition of approval to provide adequate security to guarantee the restoration of the property back to its original condition, or better, in compliance with Section 92.2402 (Performance Guarantee Requirements).

(§ 1, Ord. 666-NS, eff. September 15, 2001)

• (§ 1, Ord. 666-NS, eff. September 15, 2001)