Los Alamitos Municipal Code Ch. 5.54 Donation Boxes

The following definitions shall apply to this chapter. To the extent these definitions conflict with any other provision in the Municipal Code, these definitions shall control:

"City manager"

means the city manager for the city of Los Alamitos or their designee.

"City"

means the city of Los Alamitos.

"Donation box"

means an unattended bin, box, container, storage shed, trailer, receptacle, or similar facility used for soliciting and collecting donations of clothing or other salvageable personal property.

"Permittee"

means the individual or organization that applies for a permit to place, operate, or maintain a donation box in the city, as provided for in this chapter.

"Person"

means any individual, firm, partnership, joint venture, association, club, social club, fraternal organization, corporation, estate, trust, business trust, receiver, syndicate, or any other group or combination acting as a unit.

(Ord. 2025-12, 11/17/2025)

A. It is unlawful and a public nuisance for any property owner or other person to place, operate, maintain or allow donation boxes on real property unless: (1) the person placing the donation box first obtains a permit pursuant to this chapter; and (2) the donation box is placed, operated and maintained in accordance with all provisions in this chapter.

B. The permit application shall be made on a form provided by the city and shall include, without limitation, the following information:

1. The name, address, email, website (if available), and telephone number of the permittee;

2. Written proof sufficient to establish that the permittee is qualified to solicit donations of salvageable personal property pursuant to California Welfare and Institutions Code § 148.3 as the same may be amended;

3. The text of disclosures that will be displayed on the donation box as required by Section 5.54.030B;

4. The physical address of the real property where the donation box is proposed to be placed and a drawing sufficient to indicate the location of the donation box on the real property and the size and dimensions of the donation box;

5. If the permittee is not the real property owner, the application must include written approval from the property owner to operate a donation box at the property; and

6. A nonrefundable fee in the amount as may be established by resolution of the city council.

C. The city manager shall issue the permit following the receipt of a complete application and upon the city manager's determination that the proposed operation of the donation box will be in accordance with the requirements of this chapter.

D. The city manager shall have the right for cause to revoke any permit issued pursuant to this chapter. The failure of the permittee to comply with the provisions of this chapter or other provisions of this code or other law shall also constitute grounds for revocation of permit. The city manager shall provide a written notification to the permittee stating the specific grounds for revocation. Upon revocation, the donation box shall be removed from the permittee's real property within 30 days and, if not removed within this time period, the city may remove, store and dispose of the donation box at the expense of the permittee. Upon revocation, a permittee shall be prohibited from applying for a permit for a period of one year. Any violation of the provisions of this chapter is a public nuisance subject to abatement pursuant to Section 8.32 of this code.

(Ord. 2025-12, 11/17/2025)

A. Donation boxes are prohibited from the following locations:

1. In or within 20 feet of the public right-of-way;

2. Within 1,000 feet of another donation box;

3. Within five feet of any property line; or

4. On the same parcel as a thrift store, as defined by Section 17.74.200 of this code.

B. Donation boxes shall not block or impede access to:

1. Required parking or driveways;

2. Pedestrian routes;

3. Emergency vehicle routes;

4. Building ingress and egress;

5. Required handicapped accessibility routes;

6. Required easements; or

7. Trash enclosure areas or access to trash bins/trash enclosures.

C. No donation box shall be permitted if the placement of the donation box could constitute a safety hazard. Whether the location constitutes a safety hazard shall be determined by the city manager. Such hazards include, but are not limited to, the placement of a donation box within 1,000 feet of any place that stores large amounts of, or sells, fuel, or other flammable liquids or gases.

(Ord. 2025-12, 11/17/2025)

A. The permittee and property owner are each responsible for maintenance of donation boxes as follows:

1. Donation boxes shall be kept in good repair and the surrounding site shall be free of litter, debris, and overflow of materials;

2. Graffiti on the donation box must be removed within 24 hours;

3. Donation boxes shall be locked or otherwise secure; and

4. Donation boxes must be free of structural damage, holes, or visible rust.

B. All donation boxes must display, in a clear and easy-to-read manner, the following information:

1. Contact information, including the name, address, email, telephone number, and website, for the person or organization responsible for maintaining the donation box;

2. City of Los Alamitos business license number;

3. A statement indicating what materials are accepted and how the donated goods will be used, sold, dispersed, etc.; and

4. A statement indicating that donated items must fit in the donation box and that dumping is prohibited.

(Ord. 2025-12, 11/17/2025)

A. Donation boxes may not be used to collect any of the following:

1. Hazardous waste, as defined by Chapter 8.12.030 of this code;

2. Universal waste, as defined by Chapter 8.12.030 of this code, including batteries and electrical or electronic devices such as computers, televisions and smartphones;

3. Liquids;

4. Flammable material;

5. Large or broken furniture, mattresses, or large appliances, stoves, refrigerators etc.;

6. Solid waste, as defined by Section 17.74.190 and governed by Section 8.12 of this code; and

7. Plastic, glass, or organic material for recycling.

(Ord. 2025-12, 11/17/2025)

A donation box that is in existence as of the effective date of this chapter shall have 120 days to obtain a permit and thereafter comply with the provisions of this chapter.

(Ord. 2025-12, 11/17/2025)