Chapter 23.42 — RECYCLABLE MATERIALS COLLECTION

The city must, by January 1, 2000, convert fifty (50) percent of all solid waste from landfill disposal through source reduction, recycling and composting activities. Diverting at least fifty (50) percent of the city’s solid waste requires the participation of individuals in all residential, commercial and industrial districts. The purpose of this chapter is to ensure that adequate areas for the collection of recyclable materials are provided in both proposed and applicable existing development projects. (Ord. 93-O-116 § 1, 1993)

For the purpose of this chapter, certain terms used in this chapter are defined as follows:

“Authorized agent” means the private commercial entity that is contracted by the city to collect refuse and recyclable materials.

Collection area.

• (1) “Detached single-family residential collection area” means an area consisting of three (3) raised concrete pads, each a minimum of thirty-eight (38) inches by thirty-eight (38) inches in area and each for the storage of a one hundred ten (110) gallon mobile container. There shall be one (1) container each for the collection of refuse, recyclable and green waste materials.

• (2) “Attached single-family residential collection area” means an area consisting of two (2) raised concrete pads which meet the requirements of Section 23.42.020(2)(a). A pad shall not be required for a green waste collection container.

• (3) “Multifamily residential collection area” means a bin enclosure, constructed in accordance with the provisions of the city trash enclosure standards, for the storage of one (1) or more standard (3) cubic yard bin containers. Each enclosure shall provide for the collection of either refuse or recyclable material.

• (4) “Commercial/manufacturing district collection area” means a bin enclosure which meets the requirements of Section 23.42.020(2)(c).

“Compost” means organic solid wastes which have been biologically decomposed under controlled, aerobic or anaerobic conditions.

“Development” means any new or existing project, facility or building, located within any district, where occupants generate waste within and/or on the premises.

“Green waste” means any form of organic material which will decompose into a compost or can be processed into a mulch which can then be reused as a soil amendment.

“Mulch” means a protective covering which is spread on the ground to reduce evaporation, enrich the soil for plant life, maintain even soil temperature, prevention erosion and control weeds.

“Recyclable material” means any material which is capable of being diverted from disposal and then either reused, manufactured back to its original form, or used in the manufacturing process of a new product. Recyclable material may include used motor oil collected and transported in accordance with the California Health and Safety Code .

“Recycle” or “recycling” means the process of collecting, sorting, cleansing, treating and reconstructing solid waste, and returning the material to the economic mainstream in the form of raw material for new, reused or reconstituted products which meet the quality standards necessary to be used in the marketplace.

“Refuse” means any material which is the unwanted by-product of manufacturing, office, commercial or residential operations and which is not considered a recyclable or green waste material. Hazardous waste, low-level radioactive waste or untreated medical waste shall not be included in the definition of refuse and are not referenced in this chapter. (Ord. 93-O-116 § 1, 1993)

The provisions of this chapter shall apply to all new development projects and to applicable existing developments in all districts, as specified in Sections 23.42.040 and 23.42.050 . (Ord. 93-O-116 § 1, 1993)

• (a) New Construction.

  • (1) Each detached single-family residence shall be provided with a collection area, pursuant to the requirements of Section 23.42.060 .

  • (2) Each attached single-family residence, and each multifamily development with less than four (4) units, shall be provided with a collection area, pursuant to the requirements of Section 23.42.060 .

  • (3) Each multifamily development with four (4) or more units shall be provided with a collection area(s), pursuant to the requirements of Section 23.42.060 (3)

• (b) Existing Developments. A recycling audit shall be required in conjunction with any single modification, or sum total of modifications within a twelve (12) month period to:

  • (1) A multifamily residential development with four (4) or more units, when the development is expanded by more than thirty (30) percent of the total floor area;

  • (2) A multifamily residential development with less than four (4) units, when the result of the modification(s) is an increase in the total number of dwelling units;

• (3) Based on information provided in the recycling audit, an additional collection area(s) may be required to be provided upon recommendation of the authorized agent for the city.

• (Ord. 93-O-116 § 1, 1993; Ord. 94-O-138 § 1, 1994)

The following shall apply to both new and existing commercial and industrial development projects in the city.

• (1) New Construction. All new commercial and industrial projects in the city shall be reviewed by the authorized agent and a recommendation made of the collection area requirements for each project.

• (2) New Licensees. An applicant proposing to occupy any commercial or industrial unit in the city shall be required to complete a recycling audit in conjunction with a business license and a building and zoning compliance application (including nonprofit groups and organizations)

• (3) Existing Licensees. A recycling audit shall be required of an existing occupant of any commercial or industrial unit when any single modification, or sum total of modifications within a twelve (12) month period is done which results in at least a thirty (30) percent expansion to the existing floor area of that unit. These requirements shall also apply to the expansion of structures on church, school, hospital, hotel and golf course properties located in all districts.

  • (A) Multiple Units (Occupied). A recycling audit shall be required of an owner of two (2) or more units when any single modification, or sum total of modifications within a twelve (12) month period is done which results in at least a thirty (30) percent cumulative expansion to the units.

  • (B) A recycling audit shall be required in conjunction with a building permit for any expansion to a public facility structure located in any district.

• (C) Based on information provided in the recycling audit, an additional collection area(s) may be required to be provided upon recommendation of the authorized agent for the city.

• (Ord. 93-O-116 § 1, 1993; Ord. 94-O-139 § 1, 1994)

The following shall apply to all required collection areas:

• (1) A site plan which indicates the location of the required collection area(s) shall be submitted for review and approval by the building and planning divisions, prior to the issuance of a building permit.

• (2) No required collection area(s) shall impact required parking, circulation or landscaping. Exception: a required trash enclosure(s) may be approved for construction in place of a required parking space(s), when it is determined that no other location is feasible for the enclosure(s). The planning division shall evaluate each application on an individual basis.

• (3) No dwelling unit within a multifamily residential development shall be located more than two hundred fifty (250) feet from a collection area.

• (4) All collection areas for either attached or detached single-family residences or for multifamily developments with less than four (4) units shall be located either in a side yard, completely screened behind a gate, fence or wall, or inside a garage. If located inside a garage, the minimum required interior clear space dimensions for parking shall be maintained. Gates shall be a minimum of forty inches (40") in width. Screening shall be subject to review by the planning division.

• (5) Residential developers and property owners are encouraged to include a recyclable collection area(s) within each residence; including but not limited to roll-out drawers below the sink for recycling receptacles, and fire-proof, cleanable, secure chutes from the living space to the collection area, etc. The recommended internal storage space for individual dwelling units is three (3) cubic feet.

• (Ord. 93-O-116 § 1, 1993)

The following criteria shall apply to new and existing development projects:

• (1) Residential Development Projects.

  • (A) No new residential development project shall have a final inspection done until the provisions of this chapter have been complied with.

  • (B) No building permit(s) for a modification(s) to any existing residential project shall have a final inspection done until the provisions of this chapter have been complied with.

• (2) Commercial/Industrial Projects.

  • (A) The property owner of a new or existing commercial/industrial unit shall have not more than thirty (30) calendar days from the date that a business license and building and zoning compliance application are issued for that unit, to be in compliance with the provisions of this chapter, if applicable.

  • (B) No building permit(s) for a modification(s) to any existing commercial/industrial project shall have a final inspection done until the provisions of this chapter have been complied with.

• (3) Enforcement of the provisions of this chapter shall be done pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 1.08 .

• (Ord. 93-O-116 § 1, 1993)