Chapter 14 — General Regulations›Article 2 — General Development Regulations
San Diego Municipal Code Div. 8 Refuse, Organic Waste, and Recyclable Materials Storage Regulations
San Diego Municipal Code · 2026-10 edition · updated 2026-10-18 · San Diego
Cite as: San Diego Municipal Code Division 8 · Text as of 2026-10-18
(Added 12-9-1997 by O-18451 N.S.; effective 1-1-2000.) (Retitled from “Refuse and Recyclable Materials Storage Regulations” to “Refuse, Organic Waste, and Recyclable Materials Storage Regulations” on 1-27-2022 by O-21416 N.S.; effective 2-26-2022.)
§142.0801 Purpose of Refuse, Organic Waste, and Recyclable Materials Storage¶
Regulations
The purpose of these regulations is to provide permanent, adequate, and convenient space for the storage and collection of refuse, organic waste, and recyclable material. The intent of these regulations is to encourage recycling and composting of solid waste to reduce the amount of waste material entering landfills and to meet the recycling and waste reduction goals established by the City Council and mandated by the State of California. (Added 12-9-1997 by O-18451 N.S.; effective 1-1-2000.) (Retitled from “Purpose of Refuse and Recyclable Materials Storage Regulations” to “Purpose of Refuse, Organic Waste, and Recyclable Materials Storage Regulations” and amended 1-27-2022 by O-21416 N.S.; effective 2-26-2022.)
§142.0802 Collection and Management¶
(a) Development that generates refuse, organic waste, and/or recyclable material shall provide for the collection and management of these materials pursuant to Chapter 6, Article 6. Development shall provide adequate storage space for these materials as set forth in Sections 142.0801 through 142.0830.
(b) To be considered for City-provided services under Section 66.0127, as it may
be amended, development shall comply with all applicable requirements of
Chapter 6, Article 6 and the Waste Management Regulations.
(c) Development shall comply with the Construction and Demolition Debris
Diversion Deposit Program in Chapter 6, Article 6, Division 6, as applicable.
(“Collection and Management” added 1-27-2022 by O-21416 N.S.; effective
2-26-2022.)
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San Diego Municipal Code Chapter 14: General Regulations (4-2024)
§142.0803 Definitions¶
The following definitions apply to this Division. Where not otherwise specified, the definitions found in Section 66.0102 and Chapter 11, Article 3, Division 1 of the Land Development Code shall apply. Each word or phrase that is defined in this Division, Section 66.0102, or in Chapter 11, Article 3, Division 1 of the Land Development Code appears in the text in italicized letters.
Collection means to take physical possession of and remove refuse, organic waste, or recyclable material at the place of generation.
Organic waste means commingled yard trimmings, nonhazardous wood waste, food material, or food-soiled paper mixed with food material. (“Definitions” added 1-27-2022 by O-21416 N.S.; effective 2-26-2022.)
§142.0805 When Refuse, Organic Waste, and Recyclable Materials Storage Regulations¶
Apply
Refuse, organic waste, and recyclable materials storage shall be provided for the
following types of development as indicated in Table 142-08A:
(a) New residential development of a single dwelling unit,
(b) New residential development of multiple dwelling units,
(c) New nonresidential development, or
(d) Additions to existing multiple dwelling unit residential or nonresidential
development where the gross floor area would be increased by 30 percent or
more.
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San Diego Municipal Code Chapter 14: General Regulations (4-2024)
Table 142-08A
Refuse, Organic Waste, and Recyclable Material Storage Regulations Applicability
| TypeofDevelopment Proposal | ApplicableRegulations | Required Permit Type/ |
|---|---|---|
| Development of a_single_ dwelling unit | Comply with the Waste Management Regulations, if applicable, and Sections 142.0810, 142.0820, and 142.0831 | No permit required by this division |
| New residential_ development_ of_multiple dwelling units_ | Comply with the Waste Management Regulations, if applicable, and Sections 142.0810, 142.0820, and 142.0831 | No permit required by this division |
| New nonresidential development | Comply with Sections 142.0810, 142.0830, and 142.0831 | No permit required by this division |
| Additions to existing_multiple_ dwelling unit residential or nonresidential_development_ where the_gross floor area_ would be increased by 30 percent or more | Comply with the Waste Management Regulations, if applicable, and Sections 142.0810, 142.0820, 142.0830, and 142.0831 | No permit required by this division |
(Added 12-9-1997 by O-18451 N.S.; effective 1-1-2000.) (Amended 11-13-08 by O-19799 N.S; effective 12-13-2008.) (Retitled from “When Refuse and Recyclable Materials Storage Regulations Apply” to “When Refuse, Organic Waste, and Recyclable Materials Storage Regulations Apply” and amended 1-27-2022 by O-21416 N.S.; effective 2-26-2022.)
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San Diego Municipal Code Chapter 14: General Regulations (4-2024)
§142.0810 General Regulations for Refuse, Organic Waste, and Recyclable Material¶
Storage
New development as indicated in Section 142.0805 shall provide on-site areas for the
storage of refuse, organic waste, and recyclable material that meet the following
standards:
(a) Size of Material Storage Areas. The size of required material storage areas
shall meet or exceed the minimum requirements in Tables 142-08B and 142-
08C.
(b) Location of Material Storage Areas
(1) Material storage areas may be located in a designated interior area that
is not in a dwelling unit.
(2) Material storage areas may be located outside a structure in required
rear yards or in required side yards. Exterior material storage areas
shall be located onsite and be accessible to haulers from the public
right-of-way. Exterior material storage areas shall not be located in
any required landscape area.
(3) Premises served by an alley shall provide material storage areas that
are directly accessible from the alley.
(4) For nonresidential development on premises not served by an alley,
material storage areas shall be located at least 25 feet from any street.
(c) Screening of Material Storage Areas. Material storage areas located outside
any structure shall be screened with a minimum 6-foot-high solid screening
enclosure that is designed to be architecturally consistent with the primary
structure. Refuse, organic waste, and recyclable material, and material
storage containers shall not exceed the height of the solid screening enclosure.
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San Diego Municipal Code Chapter 14: General Regulations (4-2024)
(d) Signage. For multiple dwelling unit residential and nonresidential
development, one sign identifying the material storage area is required for
each area and shall be posted on the exterior of the material storage area near
the point of access. The maximum sign copy area permitted for each sign
shall be one square foot.
(Added 12-9-1997 by O-18451 N.S.; effective 1-1-2000.)
(Amended 11-28-2005 by O-19444 N.S.; effective 2-9-2006.)
(Amended 11-13-08 by O-19799 N.S; effective 12-13-2008.)
(Retitled from “General Regulations for Refuse and Recyclable Material Storage” to
“General Regulations for Refuse, Organic Waste, and Recyclable Material Storage”
and amended 1-27-2022 by O-21416 N.S.; effective 2-26-2022.)
§142.0820 Refuse, Organic Waste, and Recyclable Materials Storage Regulations for¶
Residential Development
Applicable residential development in accordance with Section 142.0805, shall
provide interior and exterior refuse, organic waste, and recyclable material storage
areas as specified below:
(a) Interior Refuse, Organic Waste, and Recyclable Material Storage. Each
dwelling unit shall be equipped with an interior refuse, organic waste, and
recyclable material storage area.
(b) Exterior Refuse, Organic Waste, and Recyclable Material Storage. Each
structure that contains dwelling units shall provide at least one exterior refuse,
organic waste, and recyclable material storage area. The total exterior storage
area requirement shall be based on the number of dwelling units in the
development as shown in Table 142-08B and includes the sum of all
residential material storage areas located outside of individual dwelling units.
(c) Alternative compliance may be allowed by mechanical compactors or other
comparable technology, or by use of private refuse, recyclable materials, and
organic waste hauling to meet the specific needs of a development. Ministerial
approval of alternative compliance during building plan review may occur if it
can be demonstrated to the satisfaction of the City Engineer that the
alternative compliance accommodates the same or greater capacity than
Table 142-08B requires.
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San Diego Municipal Code Chapter 14: General Regulations (4-2024)
Table 142-08B
Minimum Exterior Refuse, Organic Waste, and Recyclable Material Storage Areas for Residential Development
| Numberof DwellingUnits Per Development | MinimumRefuse StorageArea PerDevelopment (SquareFeet) | MinimumOrganic WasteStorageArea PerDevelopment (SquareFeet) | Minimum RecyclableMaterial StorageAreaPer Development (SquareFeet) | TotalMinimum StorageArea PerDevelopment (SquareFeet) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 6.25 | 6.25 | 6.25 | 18.75 |
| 2-6 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 36 |
| 7-15 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 72 |
| 16-25 | 48 | 48 | 48 | 144 |
| 26-50 | 96 | 96 | 96 | 288 |
| 51-75 | 144 | 144 | 144 | 432 |
| 76-100 | 192 | 192 | 192 | 576 |
| 101-125 | 240 | 240 | 240 | 720 |
| 126-150 | 288 | 288 | 288 | 864 |
| 151-175 | 336 | 336 | 336 | 1,008 |
| 176-200 | 384 | 384 | 384 | 1,152 |
| 201+ | 384 plus 48 square feet for every 25 dwelling units above 201 | 384 plus 48 square feet for every 25 dwelling units above 201 | 384 plus 48 square feet for every 25 _dwelling units_above 201 | 1,152 plus 144 square feet for every 25_dwelling_ units above 201 |
(Added 12-9-1997 by O-18451 N.S.; effective 1-1-2000.) (Amended 3-1-2006 by O-19468 N.S.; effective 4-1-2006.) (Amended 11-13-08 by O-19799 N.S; effective 12-13-2008.) (Retitled from “Refuse and Recyclable Materials Storage Regulations for Residential Development” to “Refuse, Organic Waste, and Recyclable Materials Storage Regulations for Residential Development” and amended 1-27-2022 by O-21416 N.S.; effective 2-26-2022.)
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San Diego Municipal Code Chapter 14: General Regulations (4-2024)
§142.0830 Refuse, Organic Waste, and Recyclable Material Storage Regulations for¶
Nonresidential Development and Mixed-Use Development
(a) Nonresidential Development. Nonresidential development, or additions to
existing nonresidential development where the gross floor area would be
increased by 30 percent or more, shall provide at least one exterior refuse,
organic waste, and recyclable material storage area for each building. The
total storage area requirement shall be based on the gross floor area of the
nonresidential buildings on the premises, as shown in Table 142-08C, and
includes the sum of all nonresidential refuse, organic waste, and recyclable
material storage areas.
(b) Mixed-Use Development with Residential Uses. Where a development
includes residential use as part of a mixed-use project, the development shall
provide refuse, organic waste, and recyclable material storage for the
residential portion of the project in accordance with Table 142-08B, in
addition to the storage areas required by Table 142-08C for the nonresidential
development.
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San Diego Municipal Code Chapter 14: General Regulations (4-2024)
Table 142-08C
Minimum Exterior Refuse, Organic Waste, and Recyclable Material Storage Areas for Nonresidential Development
| GrossFloor AreaPer Development (Square Feet) | Minimum Refuse StorageArea PerDevelopment (Square Feet) | Minimum Recyclable Material Storage Area PerDevelopment (Square Feet) | Minimum OrganicWaste StorageArea Per Development (Square Feet) | TotalMinimum AreaPer Development (Square Feet) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0-5,000 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 36 |
| 5,001-10,000 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 72 |
| 10,001-25,000 | 48 | 48 | 48 | 144 |
| 25,001-50,000 | 96 | 96 | 96 | 288 |
| 50,001-75,000 | 144 | 144 | 144 | 432 |
| 75,001-100,000 | 192 | 192 | 192 | 576 |
| 100,001+ | 192 plus 48 square feet for every 25,000 square feet of building area above 100,001 | 192 plus 48 square feet for every 25,000 square feet of building area above 100,001 | 192 plus 48 square feet for every 25,000 square feet of building area above 100,001 | 576 plus 144 square feet for every 25,000 square feet of building area above 100,001 |
(Added 12-9-1997 by O-18451 N.S.; effective 1-1-2000.) (Amended 11-13-08 by O-19799 N.S; effective 12-13-2008.) (Retitled from “Refuse and Recyclable Material Storage Regulations for Nonresidential Development” to “Refuse, Organic Waste, and Recyclable Material Storage Regulations for Nonresidential Development and Mixed-Use Development” and amended 1-27-2022 by O-21416 N.S.; effective 2-26-2022.)
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San Diego Municipal Code Chapter 14: General Regulations (4-2024)
§142.0831 Refuse, Organic Waste, and Recyclable Material Storage of Construction and¶
Demolition Waste/Debris
On-site areas for the storage of refuse, organic waste, and recyclable material
generated during construction and demolition activities shall be provided as follows:
(a) Size of Material Storage Areas.
The size of required material storage areas shall be adequate to separately
store all construction and demolition waste, as defined in Section 66.0102,
and construction and demolition debris, as defined in Section 66.0603,
generated during the intervals between collection.
(b) Location of Material Storage Areas.
Material storage areas shall be located on-site if possible, although permission
to use the public right-of-way may be granted by the Development Services
Department on a case-by-case basis subject to all required permits and
approvals, and the storage area shall be accessible to haulers from the public
right-of-way.
(c) Signage.
One sign identifying the type of material storage area shall be required for
each area. Each sign shall be posted on the exterior of the material storage
area near the point of access.
(“Refuse, Organic Waste, and Recyclable Material Storage of Construction and
Demolition Waste/Debris” added 1-27-2022 by O-21416 N.S.; effective 2-26-2022.)
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San Diego Municipal Code Chapter 14: General Regulations (10-2024)
Article 2: General Development Regulations
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