Article 20 — RECYCLING FACILITIES

Sections:

• § 38-134. Purpose. § 38-135. Definitions. § 38-136. Permit Required. § 38-137. Appeals.

The purpose of the Recycling Facilities regulations is to:

• A. Ensure that recycling facilities are provided convenient to the consumer in order to reduce litter and increase the recycling of reusable materials.

• B. Establish permit procedures implementing the California Beverage Container and Litter Reduction Act .

A. Recyclable Material. Metals, glass, plastic, paper, and other materials intended for reuse, remanufacture, or reconstitution for using the altered form. Recyclable material does not include refuse or hazardous materials. It may include use motor oil collected and transported and collected in accordance with the California Health and Safety Code.

B. Recycling Facility. A center for the collection or processing of recyclable materials. Recycling facility does not include storage containers or processing activity located on the site of a residential, commercial, or manufacturing use solely for the recycling of material generated by that use. Recycling facilities include the following:

The Monterey City Code is current through Ordinance 3716, passed February 3, 2026.

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Ch. 38 Zoning Ordinance | Monterey City Code

1. Reverse Vending Machine. An automated mechanical device which accepts at least one or more types of empty beverage containers, including aluminum cans, glass, and plastic bottles. The machine issues a cash refund or a redeemable credit slip.

2. Small Collection Facility. Facilities, including mobile units, drop-off containers, igloos, kiosks, or other unattended containers no larger than 500 square feet.

They are intended for collection only and are located on commercial and industrial sites.

3. Large Collection Facility. A permanent facility occupying a single site of more than 500 square feet. The facility is intended to accept material from the public, store it, and prepare it for shipment to market. A large collection facility may be located on a commercial or industrial site.

4. Light Processing. A building or enclosed space used for collecting and processing recyclable materials. Processing may include baling, briquetting, compacting, flattening, grinding, crushing, mechanical sorting, shredding, cleaning, and remanufacturing. A light processing facility may be located on a single heavy commercial or industrial site of under 45,000 square feet of area.

• A. Reverse vending machines shall be permitted uses in all commercial zones.

• B. Small collection facilities shall be reviewed and approved by the Community Development Director. (Ord. 3653 § 19, 2022; Ord. 3472 § 1, 2012)

• C. Large collection facilities may be allowed on approval of a Use Permit by the Planning Commission.

• D. Light processing facilities may be allowed on approval of a Use Permit by the Planning Commission. (Ord. 3424 § 1, 2009)

Decisions of the Community Development Director may be appealed by any person in accord with Article 27. Planning Commission decisions may be appealed to the City Council. (Ord. 3653 § 19, 2022; Ord. 3472 § 1, 2012; Ord. 3424 § 1, 2009)