Paso Robles Municipal Code Ch. 21.51 Refuse and Recycling Areas

A. Purpose. This chapter establishes standards for the location, development, and operations of refuse and recycling enclosures to ensure that the storage of trash, green waste, and recyclable materials does not have significant adverse health consequences, minimizes adverse impacts on surrounding properties, and complies with state law.

B. Applicability. All new and expanded commercial and industrial projects with a floor area exceeding five hundred square feet, all intensifications of commercial and industrial uses, all new multi-unit residential projects located in any zoning district, and all new mixed-use projects shall be required to provide and maintain at least one trash enclosure. Trash enclosures may be located indoors or outdoors to meet the requirements of this chapter.

(Ord. No. 1144 N.S., § 3(Exh. A), 10-1-2024)

A. Maintenance. Maintenance of each enclosure area and any bins and containers shall be the responsibility of the property owner. The property owner shall be responsible for keeping the area clean and free of litter, rodents and insects. Enclosures that are damaged to the point of non-use will result in a service interruption if the hauler cannot access the containers and shall be repaired within ninety days.

B. Regular Collection. The property owner is responsible for arranging the regular collection or pick-up of refuse and recyclable and/or organic materials stored in the container area. Materials shall not be allowed to accumulate such that a visual, public health, or safety nuisance is created.

(Ord. No. 1144 N.S., § 3(Exh. A), 10-1-2024)

A. Notwithstanding the standards listed in this section, solid waste management and the siting and design of garbage enclosures shall be subject to any garbage enclosure standards adopted by the city solid waste and recycling manager and/or city engineer.

B. Size and Location. Refuse, including organic waste and fats, oils, and grease, and recycling collection areas shall be sized and located as provided below. Additional storage area and alternative designs may be required based on the types and quantities of materials to be generated by the proposed land use and the mode of collection. Additional design requirements may be applied for the purposes of preventing stormwater pollution discharges.

1. Size and Number. Refuse and recycling collection areas shall be adequate in capacity, number, and distribution to accommodate all trash, garbage, recyclables, green waste, organic waste, and any other waste until such items are picked up by the city or its contracted collector. The city solid waste and recycling manager shall determine the minimum numbers of bins/enclosures necessary for all required waste containers for a multi-family and nonresidential development as a function of the proposed design.

2. Location.

Refuse and recycling collection areas shall be located outside the required front yard and street side yard, parking spaces, landscaped areas, and any other area required by the Municipal Code to be constructed or maintained unencumbered according to fire codes and other applicable building and public safety laws.

Detached enclosures shall be located a minimum of ten feet from any structure and, in commercial areas, twenty-five feet from any residentially zoned property line.

C. Design of Enclosure Area.

1. Enclosures shall be constructed of the same architectural design and materials of the primary structures on site, or shall be constructed of a darker earthtone textured block. Trash enclosures shall use opaque materials that obscure views of the trash containers. Chain link fencing is prohibited in enclosures and doors when visible from the public right-of-way or abutting residential properties.

2. The interior dimensions of the enclosure shall provide convenient and secure access to the containers to prevent access by unauthorized persons and to minimize scavenging, while allowing authorized persons safe access for disposal and collection of materials.

All outdoor enclosures shall have full roofs with adequate height clearance to enable ready access to any containers.

3. All outdoor enclosures shall incorporate stormwater pollution reduction measures as required by the stormwater manager.

D. Modification. Modifications to development standards for refuse and recycling areas may be allowed through a site plan modification (Section 21.17.020). In approving such a request, in addition to the findings associated with a site plan modification (Subsection 21.17.010(C)), the review authority shall find that the proposed design, material, or method provides approximate equivalence to the specific requirements of this chapter or is otherwise satisfactory and complies with the intent of these provisions. The city solid waste and recycling manager reserves the right to require specific safety measures, interior dimensions, openings, grades, and other numerical proportions to ensure the city or its contracted collector can service the enclosure in compliance with state law.

(Ord. No. 1144 N.S., § 3(Exh. A), 10-1-2024)