Chapter 21.50 — RECYCLING FACILITIES

This chapter implements the provisions of the California Beverage Container and Recycling and Litter Reduction Act set forth in Public Resources Code Section 14500, et seq. to allow the establishment of recycling facilities, and to set forth permit requirements and development standards to authorize such uses. Development and operational standards are intended to ensure minimal impact of such uses surrounding property. (Ord. 612 Exhibit A (part), 2008).

Table 21.50.020 lists permit requirements by zoning district for recycling facilities that are not otherwise exempt from permit requirements in accordance with Section 21.50.030. Recycling facilities are not permitted in those zoning districts not represented in the table.

Table 21.50.020

Table 21.50.020

Abbreviations:

ZC = Permitted use subject to zoning clearance (Chapter 21.96) CUP = Conditional use permit required pursuant to Chapter 21.106 X = Not permitted (Ord. 612 Exhibit A (part), 2008).

21.50.030 Exemptions .

The following uses are exempt from the requirements of this chapter, provided the use complies with all other provisions of this title.

(1) Small collection facilities and/or reverse vending machines placed on the premises of a community service facility for the collection and storage of recyclable material generated solely by the host use.

(2) Small collection facilities and/or reverse vending machines in city parks and open spaces areas subject to authorization by the community development director for location of such facilities.

(3) Small collection facilities and/or reverse-vending machines used by occupants of single-family homes, duplex units, and multi-family housing projects for the sole collection and storage of recyclable material generated by on-site residents. Storage containers shall be enclosed or placed out of view of any public right-of-way.

(4) Small collection facilities and/or reverse vending machines located on the premises of a commercial, office, or industrial property and used solely for the recycling of material generated by that business or use where the recyclable materials are deposited solely by employees of the business.

(Ord. 612 Exhibit A (part), 2008).

(a) Reverse-Vending Machines. Unless otherwise exempt, the following development and operational standards apply to reverse-vending machines:

(1) Location. Reverse-vending machines shall only be located in conjunction with an existing commercial, office, industrial, or community service uses of a site. If exterior to a building, machines shall not occupy required parking or landscaping for the host use and shall not obstruct pedestrian or vehicular circulation.

(2) Maximum area and height. The machines shall not occupy more than fifty square feet per installation (including any protective enclosure) and shall not exceed eight feet in height.

(3) Operations. Reverse-vending machines shall be constructed of durable water-proof/rust-proof materials and shall be maintained in a clean, litter-free condition on a daily basis. Hours of operation shall coincide with the host use and may be emptied only between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. The machines shall be illuminated to ensure comfortable and safe operation if operating hours occur between dusk and dawn.

(4) Signs. Reverse-vending machines shall be clearly marked with the type of recyclable material to be deposited, operating instructions, and contact person/number if inoperative. All signs shall not exceed a total of four square feet per machine and shall be attached to the machine, wall, or shelter. Freestanding signs for such machines shall be prohibited.

(5) Design. The design, color, and materials to be used for the machine shall be approved by the community development director.

(b) Small Collection Facilities. Unless otherwise exempt, the following development standards shall apply to small collection facilities.

(1) Location. Small collection facilities shall only be located in conjunction with an existing commercial, office, industrial, community service, or open space use of a site. The use shall not occupy more than five required parking spaces for the host use and shall not obstruct pedestrian or vehicular circulation on the site. Facilities shall not impair any required landscaping on the site. Small collection facilities shall be set back a minimum of ten feet from any street. Containers for the twenty-four-hour donation of materials shall be at least fifty feet from any residential property line, unless there is a recognized service corridor and acoustical shielding between the containers and the residential use.

(2) Maximum number and area. The maximum number of small collection facilities shall be one per site or development, in a single location, with a maximum area of five hundred square feet.

(3) Parking. If the facility includes an attendant, one parking space shall be provided for such person.

(4) Screening. Small collection facilities shall be screened with a structural shelter, fencing, and/or landscaping to minimize the visual impact from the public rights-of-way.

(5) Operations. Small collection facilities shall accept only glass, metals, plastic containers, papers, and reusable items. Used motor oil may be accepted with permission of the local public health officials, except for reverse-vending machines. Recyclable materials shall be stored in durable water-proof/rust-proof containers with a sufficient capacity to accommodate materials collected. Power-driven processing equipment shall be prohibited, except for reversevending machines. Operations shall not exceed noise levels of sixty dBA as measured at any residential property, otherwise shall not exceed seventy dBA. Hours of operation shall coincide with the host use, and the facilities may be emptied only between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Attended facilities located within one hundred feet of a residential property shall operate only during the hours between 9:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. daily.

(6) Maintenance. Facilities shall be secure from unauthorized entry or removal of materials, and shall be maintained in a clean, litter-free condition on a daily basis. All recyclable material shall be stored in containers or in the mobile unit vehicle, and shall not be left outside of containers when attendants are not present.

(7) Signs. Small collection facilities shall be clearly marked with the type of recyclable material to be deposited, operating instructions, and contact person/number if inoperative, along with a notice stating that no material shall be left outside the recycling enclosure or container. Facilities may include identification signs with a maximum of twenty percent per side or sixteen square feet, whichever is larger. Signs must be consistent with the character of the location. Directional signs may be installed with the approval of the community development director if necessary to facilitate traffic circulation or if the facility is not visible from the public right-of-way.

(8) Design. The design, color, materials, and quality of all collection facilities shall be approved by the community development director.

(c) Large Collection Facilities. The following development and operational standards apply to the development of all large collection facilities in the city.

(1) Location. Large collection facilities may be an independent or combined use on a site in compliance with permit requirements in this section and all other corresponding zoning district provisions in this title. Large collection facilities shall operate entirely within an enclosed building or area enclosed on all sides by a solid fence/wall not less than six feet in height. Setbacks and landscape requirements shall be pursuant to the provisions of the underlying zoning district.

te in compliance with permit requirements in this section and all other corresponding zoning district provisions in this title. Large collection facilities shall operate entirely within an enclosed building or area enclosed on all sides by a solid fence/wall not less than six feet in height. Setbacks and landscape requirements shall be pursuant to the provisions of the underlying zoning district.

(2) Operations. The exterior storage of material shall be limited to sturdy containers which are covered, secured, and maintained in good condition. Storage containers for flammable material shall be constructed of non-flammable material. Oil storage shall be in containers approved by the fire marshal. No storage, excluding truck trailers and overseas containers, shall be visible above the height of the fencing. The site shall be secure from unauthorized entry or removal of materials, and shall be maintained free of litter and any other undesirable materials on a daily basis. Operations shall not exceed noise levels of sixty dBA as measured at any residential property, otherwise shall not exceed seventy dBA. If located within five hundred feet of residential property, the hours of operation shall be limited to the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. daily.

(3) Processing. Power-driven processing, including aluminum foil and can compacting, baling, plastic shredding, or other light processing activities necessary for efficient temporary storage and shipment of material, may be approved by the community development director if noise and other conditions are met.

(4) Parking. A minimum of six vehicle parking spaces shall be provided for customer use. Additional spaces may be required to accommodate the anticipated peak customer load to circulate and deposit recyclable materials. One additional parking space will be provided for each commercial vehicle operated by the recycling facility.

(5) Signs. The facility shall be clearly marked with the name and phone number of the facility operator and the hours of operation. Identification and informational signs shall comply with the sign standards for the underlying

zoning district. The community development director may approve directional signs to facilitate traffic circulation and visibility from the public right-of-way.

(d) Processing Facilities. The following development and operational standards shall apply to the development of all processing facilities in the city.

(1) Location. Processing facilities shall operate entirely within an enclosed building, except for incidental storage, which shall either be enclosed on all sides by a solid fence/wall not less than six feet in height or shall be located a minimum of one hundred fifty feet from any residential property. Setbacks and landscaping shall be provided in accordance with the underlying zoning district.

• (2) Operations.

(A) All power-driven processing equipment shall comply with the La Mirada Noise Ordinance. Operations shall not exceed noise levels of sixty dBA as measured at any residential property, otherwise shall not exceed seventy dBA. If located within five hundred feet of residential property, the hours of operation shall be limited to the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. daily.

(B) Operations shall not distribute dust, fumes, smoke, vibration, or odor detectable above ambient levels on abutting property.

(C) All exterior storage of material shall be in sturdy containers which are covered, secured, and maintained in good condition. Storage containers for flammable material shall be constructed of non-flammable material. Oil storage shall be in containers approved by the fire marshal.

(D) No storage, excluding truck trailers and overseas containers, shall be visible above the height of the fencing.

(E) The site shall be secure from unauthorized entry or removal of materials, and shall be maintained free of litter and any other undesirable materials on a daily basis.

(3) Parking. Parking shall be provided to accommodate the anticipated peak load of customers to circulate, park and deposit recyclable materials. If the facility is open to the public, parking spaces shall be provided for a minimum of ten customers or the peak load, whichever is higher. One additional parking space shall be provided for each commercial vehicle operated by the processing center.

(4) Signs. Signs shall comply with the sign standards of the underlying zoning district. Facility shall be clearly marked with the name and phone number of the facility operator and the hours of operation. (Ord. 612 Exhibit A (part), 2008).