Chapter 3-24 — ORGANICS REDUCTION AND RECYCLING
San Leandro Municipal Code · 2026-09 edition · updated 2026-09-27 · San Leandro
(Legislative History: Ordinance No. 2021-012, 11/15/21 (Sections 3-24-100—3-24-1100)
§ 3-24-100. PURPOSES.¶
(a) The purpose of this Chapter is to reduce the amount of organic and recyclable materials deposited in landfills from commercial and residential generators in accordance with applicable law, including SB 1383 and the regulations adopted to implement such laws.
(b) This Chapter adopts and incorporates Chapter No. 2021-001 of the Alameda County Waste Management Authority, titled "Organics Reduction and Recycling Ordinance," as may be amended, and as set forth in pertinent part in this Chapter.
(c) The City of San Leandro is a "member agency" under the Chapter.
(d) The City Council may, by resolution, authorize and designate other entities to carry out responsibilities under this Chapter, to the extent allowed by applicable law and regulation, and no amendment of this Chapter shall be required.
§ 3-24-200. DEFINITIONS.¶
The following definitions govern the use of terms in this Chapter:
"Alameda County" means all of the geographical areas located within the incorporated and unincorporated areas of Alameda County whereas "County of Alameda" or "County" refers to the public entity, a body corporate and politic of the State of California.
"Back-haul" means generating and transporting organic waste to a destination owned and operated by a generator using the generator's own employees and equipment, or as otherwise defined in 14 CCR Section 18982(a)(66)(A).
"C&D" means construction and demolition debris.
"CalRecycle" means California's Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery, which is the State agency designated with responsibility for developing, implementing, and enforcing the SB 1383 Regulations.
"California Code of Regulations" or "CCR" means the State of California Code of Regulations. CCR references in this Chapter are preceded with a number that refers to the relevant Title of the CCR (e.g., "14 CCR" refers to Title 14 of CCR).
"Certification of Recycling Service Form" means documentation certifying that a commercial business does not subscribe to collection services for compost containers and/or recycling containers because the commercial business has arranged for collection of its source separated compost container organic waste and/or source separated recyclable materials by self-hauling, back-haul, contracting with a third party hauler, or shares service with another commercial business.
"Commercial Business" or "Commercial" means a firm, partnership, proprietorship, joint-stock company, corporation, institution or association (whether incorporated or unincorporated or for- profit or non-profit), strip mall, industrial facility, or a multi-family residential dwelling, or as otherwise defined in 14 CCR Section 18982(a)(6).
"Commercial Edible Food Generator" includes a tier one or a tier two commercial edible food generator as defined herein or as otherwise defined in 14 CCR Sections18982(a)(73) and (a)(74). For the purposes of this definition, food recovery organizations and food recovery services are not commercial edible food generators pursuant to 14 CCR Section 18982(a)(7).
"Community Composting" means any activity that composts green material, agricultural material, food material, and vegetative food material, alone or in combination, and the total amount of feedstock and compost on-site at any one time does not exceed 100 cubic yards and 750 square feet, as specified in 14 CCR Section 17855(a)(4); or as otherwise defined by 14 CCR Section 18982(a)(8).
"Compliance Review" means a review of records by the enforcement agency to evaluate compliance with this Chapter.
"Compost" has the same meaning as in 14 CCR Section 17896.2(a)(4), which stated, as of the effective date of this Chapter, that "compost" means the product resulting from the controlled biological decomposition of organic solid waste that is source separated from the municipal solid waste stream, or which is separated at a centralized facility.
"Compost Container" has the same meaning as "green container" in 14 CCR
Section18982(a)(29) and shall be used for the purpose of storage and collection of source
separated compost container organic waste.
"Compostable Plastics" or "Compostable Plastic" means plastic materials that meet the ASTM
D6400 and D6868 standards for compostability and are certified by the Biodegradable Products
Institute (BPI) or similar third-party approved by the WMA, and are approved by the member
agency for placement in the compost container.
"Container Contamination" or "Contaminated Container" means a container, regardless of type,
that contains prohibited container contaminants, or as otherwise defined in 14 CCR
Section18982(a)(55).
"Designee" means an entity that the WMA or a member agency contracts with or otherwise
arranges to carry out or assist with any of the WMA's or Member Agency's responsibilities for
compliance with the SB 1383 Regulations or administration or enforcement of this Chapter. A
designee may be a government entity, a private entity, or a combination of those entities.
"Edible Food" means food intended for human consumption, or as otherwise defined in 14
CCR Section 18982(a)(18). For the purposes of this Chapter or as otherwise defined in 14
CCR Section 18982(a)(18), "edible food" is not solid waste if it is recovered and not discarded.
Nothing in this Chapter or in 14 CCR, Division 7, Chapter 12 requires or authorizes the recovery
of edible food that does not meet the food safety requirements of the California Retail Food
Code, as codified in the Health and Safety Code Section 113700, et seq.
"Enforcement Action" means an action of the relevant enforcement agency to address
noncompliance with this Chapter, including, but not limited to, issuing administrative citations,
fines, penalties, or using other remedies.
"Enforcement Agency" means an entity with the authority to enforce part or all of this Chapter as
specified herein. Employees and agents of an enforcement agency may carry out inspections and
enforcement activities pursuant to this Chapter. Nothing in this Chapter authorizing an entity to
enforce its terms shall require that entity to undertake such enforcement except as agreed to by
that entity. Without limiting the foregoing, the term enforcement agency shall include both the
City of San Leandro and WMA.
"Excluded Waste" means hazardous substances, hazardous waste, infectious waste, designated waste, volatile, corrosive, medical waste, infectious, regulated radioactive waste, and toxic
substances or material that facility operator(s), which receive materials from a member agency
and its generators, reasonably believe(s) would, as a result of or upon acceptance, transfer,
processing, or disposal, be a violation of local, State, or Federal law, regulation, or ordinance,
including: land use restrictions or conditions, waste that cannot be disposed of in Class III
landfills or accepted at the facility by permit conditions, waste that in the reasonable opinion of
the member agency or a regulated hauler operating in that member agency's jurisdiction would
present a significant risk to human health or the environment, cause a nuisance or otherwise
create or expose the member agency or a regulated hauler to potential liability; but not including
de minimis volumes or concentrations of waste of a type and amount normally found in single-
family or multi-family solid waste after implementation of programs for the safe collection,
processing, recycling, treatment, and disposal of batteries and paint in compliance with Sections
41500 and 41802 of the Public Resources Code. Excluded waste does not include used motor
oil and filters, household batteries, universal wastes, and/or latex paint when such materials are
defined as allowable materials for collection through the member agency's collection programs
and the generator or customer has properly placed the materials for collection pursuant to
instructions provided by the member agency or the regulated hauler providing service to the
generator.
"Food Distributor" means a company that distributes food to entities, including, but not limited
to, supermarkets and grocery stores, or as otherwise defined in 14 CCR Section 18982(a)(22).
"Food Facility" has the same meaning as in Section 113789 of the Health and Safety Code.
"Food Recovery" means actions to collect and distribute food for human consumption that
otherwise would be disposed, or as otherwise defined in 14 CCR Section 18982(a)(24).
"Food Recovery Organization" means an entity that engages in the collection or receipt of edible food from commercial edible food generators and distributes that edible food to the public for food recovery either directly or through other entities or as otherwise defined in 14 CCR Section 18982(a)(25), including, but not limited to:
(1) A food bank as defined in Section 113783 of the Health and Safety Code;
(2) A nonprofit charitable organization as defined in Section 113841 of the Health and Safety code; and,
(3) A nonprofit charitable temporary food facility as defined in Section 113842 of the Health and Safety Code.
A food recovery organization is not a commercial edible food generator for the purposes of this Chapter and implementation of 14 CCR, Division 7, Chapter 12 pursuant to 14 CCR Section 18982(a)(7). If the definition in 14 CCR Section 18982(a)(25) for food recovery organization differs from this definition, the definition in 14 CCR Section 18982(a)(25) shall apply to this Chapter.
"Food Recovery Service" means a person or entity that collects and transports edible food from a commercial edible food generator to a food recovery organization or other entities for food recovery, or as other-wise defined in 14 CCR Section 18982(a)(26). A food recovery service is not a commercial edible food generator for the purposes of this Chapter and implementation of 14 CCR, Division 7, Chapter 12 pursuant to 14 CCR Section 18982(a)(7).
"Food Scraps" means all edible or inedible food such as, but not limited to, fruits, vegetables, meat, poultry, seafood, shellfish, bones, rice, beans, pasta, bread, cheese, coffee grounds, and eggshells. Food scraps excludes fats, oils, and grease when such materials are source separated from other food scraps.
"Food Service Provider" means an entity primarily engaged in providing food services to institutional, governmental, commercial, or industrial locations of others based on contractual arrangements with these types of organizations, or as otherwise defined in 14 CCR Section 18982(a)(27).
"Food-Soiled Paper" is compostable paper material that has come in contact with food or liquid, such as, but not limited to, compostable paper plates, napkins, and pizza boxes, and is approved by the applicable the member agency for placement in the compost container.
"Food Waste" means food scraps, food-soiled paper, and compostable plastics in combination or separately.
"Grocery Store" means a store primarily engaged in the retail sale of canned food; dry goods; fresh fruits and vegetables; fresh meats, fish, and poultry; and any area that is not separately owned within the store where the food is prepared and served, including a bakery, deli, and meat and seafood departments, or as otherwise defined in 14 CCR Section18982(a)(30).
"Hauler Route" means the designated itinerary or sequence of stops for each segment of a member agency's collection service area, or as otherwise defined in 14 CCR Section 18982(a)(31.5).
"Health Facility" has the same meaning as in Section 1250 of the Health and Safety Code.
"High Diversion Organic Waste Processing Facility" means a facility that is in compliance with the reporting requirements of 14 CCR Section 18815.5(d) and meets or exceeds an annual average mixed waste organic content recovery rate of 50% between January 1, 2022 and December 31, 2024, and 75% after January 1, 2025, as calculated pursuant to 14 CCR Section 18815.5(e) for organic waste received from the "mixed waste organic collection stream" as defined in 14 CCR Section 17402(a)(11.5); or as otherwise defined in 14 CCR Section 18982(a)(33).
"Hotel" has the same meaning as in Section 17210 of the Business and Professions Code.
"Inspection" means an enforcement agency's electronic or on-site review of records, containers, and an entity's collection, handling, recycling, or landfill disposal of organic waste or edible food handling to determine if the entity is complying with requirements set forth in this Chapter, or as otherwise defined in 14 CCR Section 18982(a)(35).
"Landfill Container" has the same meaning as "gray container" in 14 CCR Section18982(a)(28) and shall be used for the purpose of storage and collection of landfill container waste.
"Landfill Container Waste" means solid waste that is collected in a landfill container that is part of a three-container or three-plus container collection service that prohibits the placement of organic waste in the landfill container as specified in 14 CCR Sections 18984.1(a) and (b), or as otherwise defined in 14 CCR Section 17402(a)(6.5). (Three container collection service refers to service collecting materials in landfill containers, organics containers, and recycling containers.)
"Large Event" means an event, including, but not limited to, a sporting event or a flea market, that charges an admission price, or is operated by a local agency, and serves an average of more than 2,000 individuals per day of operation of the event, at a location that includes, but is not limited to, a public, nonprofit, or privately owned park, parking lot, golf course, street system, or other open space when being used for an event. If the definition in 14 CCR Section 18982(a)(38) differs from this definition, the definition in 14 CCR Section 18982(a)(38) shall apply to this Chapter. For the purposes of this definition of large event, "local agency" means
all public agencies except those that are not subject to the regulatory authority of the member agency.
"Large Venue" means a permanent venue facility that annually seats or serves an average of more than 2,000 individuals within the grounds of the facility per day of operation. For purposes of this Chapter and implementation of 14 CCR, Division 7, Chapter 12, a venue facility includes, but is not limited to, a public, nonprofit, or privately owned or operated stadium, amphitheater, arena, hall, amusement park, conference or civic center, zoo, aquarium, airport, racetrack, horse track, performing arts center, fairground, museum, theater, or other public attraction facility. For purposes of this Chapter and implementation of 14 CCR, Division 7, Chapter 12, a site under common ownership or control that includes more than one large venue that is contiguous with other large venues in the site, is a single large venue. If the definition in 14 CCR Section 18982(a)(39) differs from this definition, the definition in 14 CCR Section 18982(a)(39) shall apply to this Chapter.
"Member Agency" means a party to the JPA. Current member agencies are the County of Alameda; the Cities of Alameda, Albany, Berkeley, Dublin, Emeryville, Fremont, Hayward, Livermore, Newark, Oakland, Piedmont, Pleasanton, San Leandro, and Union City; and the Castro Valley and Oro Loma Sanitary Districts. A reference to a member agency means the member agency within whose boundaries the regulated organic waste generator, self-hauler, regulated hauler, commercial edible food generator, food recovery organization, food recovery service, or other entity resides or operates. The member agency boundaries for the purpose of administering and enforcing this Chapter are:
(1) The legal boundaries of each of the 14 incorporated municipalities within Alameda County, except those portions of the Cities of Hayward and San Leandro that are within the boundaries of the Oro Loma Sanitary District.
(2) The legal boundaries of each of the Castro Valley and Oro Loma Sanitary Districts.
(3) The unincorporated sections of the County not included within the above.
"Mixed Waste Organic Collection Stream" or "Mixed Waste" means organic waste collected in a container that is required by 14 CCR Section 18984.1, 18984.2 or 18984.3 to be taken to a high diversion organic waste processing facility or as otherwise defined in 14 CCR Section 17402(a)(11.5).
"Multi-Family Residential Dwelling" or "Multi-Family" means of, from, or pertaining to residential premises with five or more dwelling units. Multi-family premises are considered a distinct type of commercial business for the purposes of implementing this Chapter. Consistent with the SB 1383 Regulations, residential premises that consist of fewer than five units are not "multi-family" and instead are "single-family" for the purposes of implementing this Chapter. Multi-family premises do not include hotels, motels, or other transient occupancy facilities, which are considered other types of commercial businesses.
"Non-Compostable Paper" includes, but is not limited to, paper that is coated, lined or treated with a non-compostable material, or otherwise unacceptable to the compostable materials handling facility processing the material.
"Non-Organic Recyclables" means non-putrescible and non-hazardous recyclable materials, including, but not limited to, recyclable food and beverage glass containers, metal (aluminum and steel) food and beverage cans, HDPE (high density polyethylene) bottles and PET (polyethylene terephthalate) bottles, and other materials specified in 14 CCR Section
18982(a)(43).
"Notice of Violation" means a notice that a violation has occurred that includes a compliance date to avoid an action to seek penalties, or as otherwise defined in 14 CCR Section 18982(a)(45) or further explained in 14 CCR Section 18995.4.
"Organic Waste" means solid waste containing material originated from living organisms and their metabolic waste products, including but not limited to food, green material, landscape and pruning waste, organic textiles and carpets, lumber, wood, paper products, printing and writing paper, manure, biosolids, digestate, and sludges or as otherwise defined in 14 CCR Section 18982(a)(46). Biosolids and digestate are as defined by 14 CCR Section 18982(a).
"Organic Waste Generator" means a person or entity that is responsible for the initial creation of organic waste, or as otherwise defined in 14 CCR Section18982(a)(48).
"Paper Products" include, but are not limited to, paper janitorial supplies, cartons, wrapping, packaging, file folders, hanging files, corrugated boxes, tissue, and toweling, or as otherwise defined in 14 CCR Section18982(a)(51).
"Person" includes an individual, firm, limited liability company, association, partnership, political subdivision, government agency, municipality, industry, public or private corporation, or any other entity whatsoever, or as otherwise defined in Public Resources Code Section 40170.
"Printing and Writing Paper" include, but are not limited to, copy, xerographic, watermark, cotton fiber, offset, forms, computer printout paper, white wove envelopes, manila envelopes, book paper, note pads, writing tablets, newsprint, and other writing papers, posters, index cards, calendars, brochures, reports, magazines, and publications, or as otherwise defined in 14 CCR Section 18982(a)(54).
"Prohibited Container Contaminants" includes all of the following: (1) materials placed in the recycling container that are not identified as acceptable source separated recyclable materials for the member agency's recycling container; (2) materials placed in the compost container that are not identified as acceptable source separated compost container organic waste for the member agency's compost container; (3) materials placed in the landfill container that are acceptable source separated recyclable materials and/or acceptable source separated compost container organic waste that can be placed in the member agency's compost container and/or recycling container; and (4) excluded waste placed in any container.
"Recovery" means any activity or process described in 14 CCR Section18983.1(b), or as otherwise defined in 14 CCR Section 18982(a)(49).
"Recycling Container" has the same meaning as "blue container" in 14 CCR Section18982(a)(5) and shall be used for the purpose of storage and collection of source separated recyclable materials and source separated recycling container organic waste.
"Regulated Hauler" means a person that collects solid waste (other than solid waste generated by a permitted building project) originating in Alameda County from compost containers, recycling containers, and/or landfill containers, and does so under a contract, franchise agreement, or permit with the WMA or a member agency. A member agency that collects solid waste within its boundaries is not a regulated hauler with respect to that collection.
"Remote Monitoring" means the use of mechanical or electronic devices to identify the types of materials in recycling containers, compost containers, and/or landfill containers for purposes of identifying the quantity of materials in containers (level of fill) and/or presence of prohibited container contaminants.
"Restaurant" means an establishment primarily engaged in the retail sale of food and drinks for onpremises or immediate consumption, or as otherwise defined in 14 CCR Section 18982(a)(64).
"Route Review" means a visual inspection of containers along a hauler route for the purpose of determining container contamination, and may include mechanical or electronic inspection methods such as the use of cameras, or as otherwise defined in 14 CCR Section 18982(a)(65).
"SB 1383" means Senate Bill 1383 of 2016, the Short-lived Climate Pollutant Reduction Act of 2016.
"SB 1383 Regulations" means or refers to, for the purposes of this Chapter, the "Short-Lived Climate Pollutants: Organic Waste Reduction" regulations developed by CalRecycle and adopted in 2020 that created 14 CCR, Division 7, Chapter 12 and amended portions of regulations of 14 CCR and 27 CCR.
"Self-Hauler" means a person, who hauls solid waste, organic waste or recyclable material they have generated to another person for disposition as allowed by the member agency and otherwise in accordance with all applicable laws. Self-hauler also includes a person who back-hauls such materials, and as otherwise defined in 14 CCR Section 18982(a)(66).
"Single-Family" means, for purposes of this Chapter, of, from, or pertaining to any residential premises with fewer than five units.
"Solid Waste" has the same meaning as defined in Public Resources Code Section 40191, which defines solid waste as all putrescible and nonputrescible solid, semi-solid, and liquid wastes, including garbage, trash, refuse, paper, rubbish, ashes, industrial wastes, demolition and construction wastes, abandoned vehicles and parts thereof, discarded home and industrial appliances, dewatered, treated, or chemically fixed sewage sludge which is not hazardous waste, manure, vegetable or animal solid and semi-solid wastes, and other discarded solid and semi- solid wastes, with the exception that solid waste does not include any of the following wastes:
(1) Hazardous waste, as defined in the Public Resources Code Section40141.
(2) Radioactive waste regulated pursuant to the State Radiation Control Law (Chapter 8 (commencing with Section 114960) of Part 9 of Division 104 of the Health and Safety Code).
(3) Medical waste regulated pursuant to the State Medical Waste Management Act (Part 14 (commencing with Section 117600) of Division 104 of the Health and Safety Code). Untreated medical waste shall not be disposed of in a solid waste landfill, as defined in Public Resources Code Section 40195.1. Medical waste that has been treated and deemed to be solid waste shall be regulated pursuant to Division30 of the Public Resources Code.
"Source Separated" means materials, including commingled recyclable materials, that have been separated or kept separate from the solid waste stream, at the point of generation, for the purpose of additional sorting or processing those materials for recycling or reuse in order to return them 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, or as otherwise defined in 14 CCR Section 17402.5(b)(4). For the purposes of this Chapter, source separated shall include separation of materials by the generator, property owner, property owner's employee, property manager, or property manager's employee into different containers for the purpose of collection such that source separated materials are separated from landfill container waste or other solid waste for the purposes of collection and processing.
"Source Separated Compost Container Organic Waste" means source separated organic waste that can be placed in a compost container that is specifically intended for the separate collection of organic waste by the generator, excluding source separated recycling container organic waste, carpets, non-compostable paper, and textiles.
"Source Separated Recyclable Materials" means source separated non-organic recyclables and source separated recycling container organic waste.
"Source Separated Recycling Container Organic Waste" means source separated organic wastes that can be placed in a recycling container that is limited to the collection of those organic wastes and nonorganic recyclables, as defined herein or as otherwise defined in Sections 18982(a)(43) and 18982(a)(46). Source separated recycling container organic waste shall include materials as determined by the member agency and includes unsoiled paper products and printing and writing paper.
"Supermarket" means a full-line, self-service retail store with gross annual sales of Two Million Dollars ($2,000,000), or more, and which sells a line of dry grocery, canned goods, or nonfood items and some perishable items, or as otherwise defined in 14 CCR Section 18982(a)(71).
"Tier One Commercial Edible Food Generator" means a commercial edible food generator that is one of the following:
(1) Supermarket.
(2) Grocery store with a total facility size equal to or greater than 10,000 square feet.
(3) Food service provider.
(4) Food distributor.
(5) Wholesale food vendor.
If the definition in 14 CCR Section 18982(a)(73) of tier one commercial edible food generator
differs from this definition, the definition in 14 CCR Section 18982(a)(73) shall apply to this Chapter.
"Tier Two Commercial Edible Food Generator" means a commercial edible food generator that is one of the following:
(1) Restaurant with 250 or more seats, or a total facility size equal to or greater than 5,000 square feet.
(2) Hotel with an on-site food facility and 200 or more rooms.
(3) Health facility with an on-site food facility and 100 or more beds.
(4) Large venue.
(5) Large event.
If the definition in 14 CCR Section 18982(a)(74) of tier two commercial edible food generator
differs from this definition as to entities subject to the regulatory authority of a member agency, the definition in 14 CCR Section 18982(a)(74) shall apply to this Chapter.
"Wholesale Food Vendor" means a business or establishment engaged in the merchant wholesale distribution of food, where food (including fruits and vegetables) is received, shipped, stored, prepared for distribution to a retailer, warehouse, distributor, or other destination, or as otherwise defined in 14 CCR Section 189852(a)(76).
"WMA" means the Alameda County Waste Management Authority.
§ 3-24-300. REQUIREMENTS FOR SINGLE-FAMILY GENERATORS.¶
Except single-family organic waste generators that meet the self-hauler requirements in Section 3-24-900 of this Chapter and/or that are located in a census tract for which CalRecycle has issued a low population waiver (as described in 14 CCR Section 18984.12), single-family generators shall:
(a) Be subscribed to the collection service(s) approved by the member agency for compost
containers, recycling containers, and landfill containers. A member agency shall have the
right to review the number and size of a generator's containers to evaluate the adequacy of
capacity provided for each type of collection service and to review the separation of
materials and containment of materials. A single-family generator shall adjust its service
level for its collection services as requested by the member agency in order to meet the
standards set forth in this Chapter. Generators may manage their organic waste by
preventing or reducing their organic waste, managing organic waste on site, and/or using a
community composting site pursuant to 14 CCR Section 18984.9(c) to the extent permitted
by other applicable laws.
(b) Participate in the organic waste collection service(s) approved by the member agency by
placing designated materials in designated containers as described below, and not placing
prohibited container contaminants in collection containers. Generators shall place source
separated compost container organic waste, including food waste, in the compost container;
source separated recyclable materials in the recycling container; and landfill container
waste in the landfill container. generators shall not place materials designated for the
landfill container into the compost container or the recycling container.
(c) The enforcement agency for the provisions of this section is the member agency and any
other designee of the member agency.
§ 3-24-400. REQUIREMENTS FOR COMMERCIAL BUSINESS GENERATORS AND¶
MULTI-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL DWELLINGS.
Commercial business organic waste generators, including multi-family residential dwellings,
shall:
(a) Except commercial businesses that meet the self-hauler requirements in Section 3-24-900
of this Chapter, or that meet waiver requirements in Section 3-24-500 of this Chapter, or
that are located in a census tract for which CalRecycle has issued a low population waiver
(as described in 14 CCR Section 18984.12):
(1) Be subscribed to collection service(s) approved by the member agency for compost
containers, recycling containers, and landfill containers and comply with
requirements of those services as described below. A member agency shall have the
right to review the number and size of a generator's containers and frequency of
collection to evaluate adequacy of capacity provided for each type of collection
service for proper separation of materials and containment of materials; and,
commercial businesses shall adjust their service level for their collection services as
requested by the member agency.
(2) Participate in collection services approved by the member agency for organic waste
collection service(s) by placing designated materials in designated containers as
described below. Generators shall place source separated compost container organic
waste, including food waste, in the compost container; source separated recyclable
materials in the recycling container; and landfill container waste in the landfill
container. Generators shall not place materials designated for the landfill container
into the compost container or recycling container.
(b) Supply and allow access to adequate number, size and location of collection containers
with sufficient labels or colors (conforming with this section) for employees, contractors,
tenants, and customers, consistent with the recycling container, compost container, and
landfill container collection service or, if self-hauling, per the commercial businesses'
instructions to support its compliance with its self-haul program, in accordance with
Section 3-24-900.¶
(c) Excluding multi-family residential dwellings, provide containers for the collection of source separated compost container organic waste and source separated recyclable materials generated by that business in all areas where the commercial business provides disposal containers for employees, contractors, tenants, customers and other users of the premises ("user disposal containers"). Such user disposal containers do not need to be provided in restrooms. If a commercial business does not generate, or has a waiver pertaining to, any of the materials that would be collected in one type of user disposal container, then the business does not have to provide that particular type of container in all areas where user disposal containers are provided. Pursuant to 14 CCR Section 18984.9(b), the user disposal containers provided by the business shall have either:
(1) A body or lid that conforms with the following container colors, with either lids
conforming to these color requirements or bodies conforming to these color
requirements, or both lids and bodies conforming to these color requirements: gray or
black containers for landfill container waste, blue containers for source separated
recyclable materials, and green containers for source separated compost container
organic waste. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a commercial business is not required
to replace functional containers, including containers purchased prior to January 1,
2022, that do not comply with the color requirements of this section prior to the end
of the useful life of those containers, or prior to January 1, 2036, whichever comes
first.
(2) Container labels that include language or graphic images, or both, indicating the
primary materials accepted and the primary materials prohibited in that container, or
containers with imprinted text or graphic images that indicate the primary materials
accepted and primary materials prohibited in the container. Pursuant 14 CCR Section
18984.8, the container labeling requirements are required on new containers
commencing January 1, 2022.
(d) For multi-family residential dwellings, provide containers for the collection of source
separated compost container organic waste and source separated recyclable materials in all
common areas where those materials are being generated and disposal containers are
provided for tenants, and in areas for internal consolidation of materials that are later
deposited in organics containers, recycling containers, and landfill containers for collection
by regulated haulers. Such containers do not need to be provided in restrooms accessible
from common areas of the multi-family dwelling. Such containers shall comply with the color and labeling requirements specified in subsections (c)(1) and (c)(2) above.
(e) To the extent practical through education, training, inspection, and/or other measures,
prohibit employees from placing materials in a container not designated for those materials
per the recycling container, compost container, and landfill container collection service or,
if self-hauling, per the commercial businesses' instructions to support its compliance with
its self-haul program, in accordance with Section 3-24-900.
(f) Periodically inspect recycling containers, compost containers, and landfill containers for
contamination and inform employees if containers are contaminated and of the
requirements to keep contaminants out of those containers pursuant to 14 CCR Section
18984.9(b)(3).
(g) Annually provide information to employees, contractors, tenants, building residents, and
customers about organic waste recovery requirements and about proper sorting of source
separated compost container organic waste and source separated recyclable materials.
(h) Provide information before or within 14 days of new occupation of the premises to new
tenants and no less than 14 days before tenants move out of the premises, unless a tenant
does not provide 14 or more days' notice to before moving out, that describes requirements
to keep source separated compost container organic waste and source separated recyclable
materials separate from each other and from landfill container waste and the location of
containers and the rules governing their use at the property.
(i) Provide or arrange access for the enforcement agency to their properties during all
inspections conducted in connection with this Chapter and timely provide documents
requested by the enforcement agency to confirm compliance with the requirements of this
Chapter.
(j) Accommodate and cooperate with any remote monitoring program established by a
regulated hauler or a member agency for inspection of the types of materials placed in
containers for prohibited container contaminants to evaluate generator's compliance with
Section 3-24-400(a)(1).
(k) At a commercial business' option and subject to approval by the enforcement agency,
implement its own remote monitoring program for self-inspection of the types of materials
placed in recycling containers, compost containers, and landfill containers for the purpose
of monitoring the contents of containers to determine appropriate levels of service and to
identify prohibited container contaminants. Purchase and maintenance of the remote
monitoring program shall be the responsibility of the commercial business.
(l) Nothing in this section prohibits a generator from preventing or reducing waste generation,
managing organic waste on site, or using a community composting site pursuant to 14 CCR
Section 18984.9(c) to the extent permitted by other applicable laws.
(m) The enforcement agency for the provisions of this section is the member agency and, if
authorized by the member agency, the WMA, and any other designee of the member
agency.
§ 3-24-500. WAIVERS FOR COMMERCIAL BUSINESS GENERATORS.¶
(a) De Minimis Waivers: Except for multi-family residential dwellings, the enforcement agency may waive a commercial business' obligation to comply with some or all of the organic waste collection service requirements of this Chapter if the commercial business provides documentation demonstrating that the business generates below a certain amount of organic waste material, as described in Section 3-24-500(a)(2) below. A commercial business requesting a de minimis waiver shall:
(1) Submit an application to the enforcement agency specifying the service or
requirements for which it is requesting a waiver.
(2) Provide documentation with the application that either:
(A) The commercial business' total solid waste collection service is two cubic yards
or more per week and organic waste subject to collection in a recycling
container or compost container comprises less than 20 gallons per week per
applicable container of the business' total waste; or
(B) The commercial business' total solid waste collection service is less than two
cubic yards per week and organic waste subject to collection in a recycling
container or compost container comprises less than 10 gallons per week per
applicable container of the business' total waste.
(C) For the purposes of subsections (A) and (B) above, total solid waste shall be the
sum of weekly landfill container waste, source separated recyclable materials,
and source separated compost container organic waste measured in cubic yards.
(3) If the waiver is granted, notify the enforcement agency granting the waiver if
circumstances change such that commercial business's organic waste exceeds
threshold required for waiver, in which case the waiver will be rescinded.
(4) If the waiver is granted, provide written verification of continued eligibility for de
minimis waiver to the enforcement agency every five years.
(b) Physical Space Waivers: The enforcement agency may waive a commercial business' or property owner's (including a multi-family residential dwelling's) obligation to comply with some or all of the recyclable materials and/or organic waste collection service requirements of this Chapter if the enforcement agency has evidence from a regulated hauler, licensed architect, licensed engineer, or other person authorized by the enforcement agency demonstrating that the premises lacks adequate space for the collection containers required for compliance with the organic waste collection requirements of Section 3-24-500.
A commercial business requesting a physical space waiver shall:
(1) Submit an application to the enforcement agency specifying the service or
requirements for which it is requesting a waiver.
(2) Provide documentation with the application that the premises lacks adequate space
for recycling containers and/or compost containers, which shall include
documentation from its regulated hauler, licensed architect, licensed engineer, or
other person authorized by the enforcement agency.
(3) If the waiver is granted, notify the enforcement agency granting the waiver if the
commercial business' physical space configurations or amounts of solid waste generation change, in which case the waiver may be rescinded.
(4) If the waiver is granted, provide written verification to the enforcement agency of
continued eligibility for a physical space waiver every five years.
(c) Collection Frequency Waiver: The enforcement agency, at its discretion and in accordance
with 14 CCR Section 18984.11(a)(3), may allow the owner or tenant of any residence,
premises, business establishment or industry that subscribes to the member agency's three-
or, if relevant, three-plus container organic waste collection service to arrange for the
collection of their recycling container, landfill container, or both once every 14 days, rather
than once per week.
(d) The enforcement agency for the provisions of this section is the member agency and, if
authorized by the member agency, the WMA, and any other designee of the member
agency.
§ 3-24-600. REQUIREMENTS FOR COMMERCIAL EDIBLE FOOD GENERATORS.¶
(a) Tier one commercial edible food generators must comply with the requirements of this section commencing January 1, 2022, and tier two commercial edible food generators must comply commencing January 1, 2024, pursuant to 14 CCR Section 18991.3 or such later deadline established by State law or regulations.
(b) Large venue or large event operators not providing food services, but allowing for food to be provided by others, shall require food facilities operating at the large venue or large event to comply with the requirements of this section, commencing January 1, 2024 or such later deadline established by State law or regulations.
(c) Commercial edible food generators shall comply with the following requirements:
(1) Arrange to safely recover for human consumption the maximum amount of edible food that would otherwise be disposed.
(2) Enter into a contract or other written agreement with food recovery organizations or food recovery services for: (i) the collection for food recovery of edible food that would otherwise be disposed; or (ii) acceptance of edible food that would otherwise be disposed that the commercial edible food generator self-hauls to the food recovery organization for food recovery.
(3) Use best efforts to abide by all contractual or written agreement requirements specified by the food recovery organization or food recovery service on how edible food should be prepared, packaged, labeled, handled, stored, distributed or transported to the food recovery organization or service.
(4) Not intentionally donate food that has not been prepared, packaged, handled, stored and/or transported in accordance with the safety requirements of the California Retail Food Code.
(5) Not intentionally spoil edible food that is capable of being recovered by a food recovery organization or a food recovery service.
(6) Allow the enforcement agency to review records upon request, including by providing electronic copies or allowing access to the premises, pursuant to 14 CCR Section
18991.4.
(7) Keep records that include the following information, or as otherwise specified in 14
CCR Section18991.4:
(A) A list of each food recovery service or food recovery organization that collects or receives its edible food pursuant to a contract or written agreement established under 14 CCR Section 18991.3(b).
(B) A copy of all contracts and written agreements established under 14 CCR Section 18991.3(b) and/or this Chapter.
(C) A record of the following information for each of those food recovery services or food recovery organizations:
(i) The name, address and contact information of the food recovery service or
food recovery organization.
(ii) The types of food that will be collected by or self-hauled to the food
recovery service or food recovery organization.
(iii) The established frequency that food will be collected or self-hauled.
(iv) The quantity of food, measured in pounds recovered per month, collected or self-hauled to a food recovery service or food recovery organization for food recovery.
(D) If it has not entered into a contract or written agreement with food recovery organizations or food recovery services pursuant to Section 3-24-600(c)(2), a record that describes: (i) its direct donation of edible food to end recipients (including employees); and/or (ii) its food waste prevention practices that result in it generating no surplus edible food that it can donate.
(8) Tier one commercial edible food generators and tier two commercial edible food generators shall provide, upon request, a food recovery report to the enforcement agency that includes the information in Section 3-24-600(c)(7). Entities shall provide the requested information within 60 days of the request.
(d) Nothing in this Chapter shall be construed to limit or conflict with: (1) the protections provided by the California Good Samaritan Food Donation Act of 2017, the Federal Good Samaritan Act, or share table and school food donation guidance pursuant to Senate Bill 557 of 2017 (approved by the Governor of the State of California on September 25, 2017, which added Article 13 commencing with Section 49580 to Chapter 9 of Part 27 of Division 4 of Title 2 of the Education Code, and to amend Section 114079 of the Health and Safety Code, relating to food safety, as amended, supplemented, superseded and replaced from time to time); or (2) otherwise applicable food safety and handling laws and regulations.
(e) Nothing in this Chapter prohibits a commercial edible food generator from donating edible food directly to end recipients for consumption, pursuant to Health and Safety Code Section 114432(a).
(f) The enforcement agency for the provisions of this section is the member agency and, if authorized by the applicable member agency, the WMA, and any other designee of the
member agency.
§ 3-24-700. REQUIREMENTS FOR FOOD RECOVERY ORGANIZATIONS AND¶
SERVICES.
(a) Nothing in this Chapter prohibits a food recovery service or food recovery organization from refusing to accept edible food from a commercial edible food generator, in accordance with 14 CCR Section 18990.2(d).
(b) Food recovery services collecting or receiving edible food directly from commercial edible food generators, via a contract or written agreement established under 14 CCR Section 18991.3(b), shall maintain the following records, or as otherwise specified by 14 CCR Section 18991.5(a)(1):
(1) The name, address, and contact information for each commercial edible food generator from which the service collects edible food;
(2) The quantity in pounds of edible food collected from each commercial edible food generator per month. This may also include the total quantity in pounds of food collected that was spoiled when received from a commercial edible food generator or otherwise not able to be used to feed people;
(3) The quantity in pounds of edible food transported to each food recovery organization per month;
(4) The name, address, and contact information for each food recovery organization that the food recovery service transports edible food to for food recovery.
(c) Food recovery organizations collecting or receiving edible food directly from commercial edible food generators, via a contract or written agreement established under 14 CCR Section 18991.3(b), shall maintain the following records, or as otherwise specified by 14 CCR Section18991.5(a)(2):
(1) The name, address, and contact information for each commercial edible food generator from which the organization receives edible food;
(2) The quantity in pounds of edible food received from each commercial edible food generator per month. This may also include the total quantity in pounds of food collected that was spoiled when received from a commercial edible food generator or otherwise not able to be used to feed people;
(3) The name, address, and contact information for each food recovery service that the organization receives edible food from for food recovery.
(d) Food recovery organizations and food recovery services that have their primary address physically located in Alameda County and contract with or have written agreements with one or more commercial edible food generators pursuant to 14 CCR Section 18991.3(b) shall report to the WMA the total pounds of edible food recovered from the tier one and tier two commercial edible food generators they have established a contract or written agreement with pursuant to 14 CCR Section 18991.3(b) according to the following schedule: (1) no later than August 15, 2022, submit an initial report covering the period of January 1, 2022 to June 30, 2022; and (2) no later than March 31, 2023, and no later than every March 31 thereafter, submit a report covering the period of January 1 to December 31 of the previous calendar year.
(e) In order to support edible food recovery capacity planning assessments and similar studies,
food recovery services and food recovery organizations operating in Alameda County shall
provide, upon request, information and consultation to the enforcement agency regarding
existing, or proposed new or expanded, food recovery capacity in a form that can be
provided to or that can be accessed by the WMA, member agencies, and commercial edible
food generators in Alameda County. A food recovery service or food recovery organization
contacted by the enforcement agency shall respond to such request for information within
60 days, unless a shorter timeframe is otherwise specified by the enforcement agency.
(f) The enforcement agency for the provisions of this section is member agency and, if
authorized by the member agency, the WMA and any other designee of the member
agency.
§ 3-24-800. REQUIREMENTS FOR REGULATED HAULERS AND FACILITY¶
OPERATORS.
(a) Requirements for Regulated Haulers:
(1) A regulated hauler providing single-family, commercial, or industrial organic waste collection service to generators within Alameda County shall meet the following requirements and standards in connection with collection of organic waste:
(A) Through written notice to the member agency annually on or before March 31, identify the facilities to which they will transport organic waste including facilities for source separated recyclable materials and source separated compost container organic waste.
(B) Transport source separated recyclable materials to a facility that recycles those materials and transport source separated compost container organic waste to a facility, operation, activity, or property that recovers organic waste as defined in 14 CCR, Division 7, Chapter 12, Article 2.
(C) Obtain approval from the member agency to haul organic waste, unless it is transporting source separated organic waste to a community composting site or lawfully transporting C&D in a manner that complies with 14 CCR Section 18989.1, this Chapter, and any WMA and member agency rules.
(2) Within the boundaries of any member agency in which it has customers, a regulated hauler collecting organic waste shall:
(A) Up to four times per year, provide reports to the WMA and member agency on commercial business account information and service levels in a form to be specified by the WMA.
(B) Assist in the dissemination of SB 1383 educational materials to single-family and commercial business accounts.
(C) At least annually and during new staff on-boarding, train the regulated hauler's customer service representatives and account managers/recycling coordinators serving organic waste generators in Alameda County on the generator requirements set forth in Sections 3-24-300 and 3-24-400 of this Chapter, SB 1383 Regulations as they may be revised from time to time and on resources available to assist in compliance. Trainings may be in a virtual or in-person format.
(D) Where a regulated hauler provides landfill container collection service, notify single-family and commercial business accounts that: (1) they must also be subscribed to recycling container collection service and compost container collection service to comply with this Chapter, except if an applicable waiver has been granted for the account, if an applicable waiver application has been submitted and is under review for the account, or if the account has an approved certification of recycling service form; and (2) that the regulated hauler will inform the member agency if the account fails to subscribe to a required collection service offered by the regulated hauler.
(E) Provide quarterly reports to the WMA identifying single-family and commercial accounts that are subscribed to landfill container collection service but that are not subscribed to recycling container and/or compost container collection service. WMA shall provide this information to the member agency. If a regulated hauler providing landfill container collection service does not offer recycling container collection service and/or compost container collection service to its landfill container collection service customers, the requirements of subsections (D) and (E) of this section shall not apply with respect to those customers and the type(s) of service that is not offered.
(F) Conduct or comply with container contamination minimization efforts such as route reviews or waste evaluations. Inform generators when container contamination is observed by the regulated hauler.
(G) If requested by the enforcement agency, assist generators with verification of physical space constraints when generator submits an application for a physical space waiver.
(H) Provide commercial business accounts with interactive assistance such as employee trainings, in a virtual or in-person format, when recycling container collection service or composting container collection service is added, or upon request.
(3) The enforcement agency for the provisions of this Section 3-24-800(a) is the member agency and, where authorized by the member agency, the WMA, and any other designee of the member agency.
(b) Requirements for Facility Operators and Community Composting Operations:
(1) Owners of facilities, operations, and activities that recover organic waste, including, but not limited to, compost facilities, in-vessel digestion facilities, and publicly- owned treatment works shall, upon request from the WMA, provide within 60 days information regarding available and potential new or expanded capacity at their facilities, operations, and activities, including information about throughput and permitted capacity necessary for planning purposes.
(2) Community composting operators shall, upon request from the WMA, provide within
60 days information to support organic waste capacity planning, including, but not limited to, an estimate of the amount of organic waste anticipated to be handled at the community composting operation.
(3) The enforcement agency for the provisions of this Section 3-24-800(b) is the WMA and any designee of the WMA.
§ 3-24-900. REQUIREMENTS FOR SELF-HAULERS.¶
(a) Self-haulers shall source separate all recyclable materials and organic waste (materials that the member agency otherwise requires generators to separate for collection in the member agency's organics and recycling collection program) generated or handled on-site from solid waste in a manner consistent with 14 CCR Sections 18984.1 and 18984.2, or shall haul organic waste to a high diversion organic waste processing facility as specified in 14 CCR Section 18984.3.
(b) Self-haulers shall haul their source separated recyclable materials to a facility that recovers
those materials; and haul their source separated compost container organic waste to a solid
waste facility, operation, activity, or property that processes or recovers source separated
organic waste. Alternatively, self-haulers may haul organic waste to a high diversion
organic waste processing facility. self-haulers may back-haul to a destination owned and
operated by the generator using the generator's own employees and equipment and then
haul those consolidated materials to facilities meeting the requirements of this subsection
(b).
(c) Self-haulers that are commercial businesses (including multi-family residential dwellings)
shall keep a record of the amount of organic waste delivered to each solid waste facility,
operation, activity, or property that processes or recovers organic waste; this record shall
be subject to inspection by the enforcement agency. The records shall include the following
information:
(1) Delivery receipts and weight tickets from the entity accepting the material;
(2) The amount of material in cubic yards or tons transported by the generator to each
entity;
(3) If the material is transported to an entity that does not have scales on-site, or employs
scales incapable of weighing the self-hauler's vehicle in a manner that allows it to
determine the weight of materials received, the self-hauler is not required to record
the weight of material but shall keep a record of the entities that received the organic
waste.
(d) Self-haulers that are commercial businesses (including multi-family residential dwellings)
shall submit a certification of recycling service form to the enforcement agency for review
for compliance if they do not also subscribe to separate collection service for compost
containers and/or recycling containers by a regulated hauler. Applications will be
considered for approval to the extent permitted by other applicable laws.
(e) Self-haulers that are commercial businesses (including multi-family residential dwellings)
shall submit a new certification of recycling service form to the enforcement agency for
compliance review every five years, if they do not also subscribe to separate collection
service for compost containers and/or recycling containers by a regulated hauler.
(f) Self-haulers shall notify the enforcement agency if they subscribe to separate collection
service for compost containers and/or recycling containers by a regulated hauler, such that
they are no longer self-haulers.
(g) Self-haulers that are commercial businesses (including multi-family residential dwellings)
shall provide information, upon request, collected in Section 3-24-900(c) to the
enforcement agency. Entities shall provide the requested information within 60 days.
(h) A single-family organic waste generator that self-hauls organic waste is not required to
record or report information in subsections (c) through (g) of this section.
(i) The enforcement agency for the provisions of this section is the member agency and, where
authorized by the member agency, the WMA, and any other designee of the member
agency.
§ 3-24-1000. INSPECTIONS AND INVESTIGATIONS.¶
(a) The enforcement agency is authorized to conduct Inspections and investigations, at random or other-wise, of any collection container, collection vehicle loads, or transfer, processing, or disposal facility for materials collected from generators, or source separated materials to confirm compliance with the provisions of this Chapter for which it has enforcement authority by organic waste generators, commercial businesses (including multi-family residential dwellings), commercial edible food generators, regulated haulers, self-haulers, food recovery services, and food recovery organizations, subject to applicable laws. This section does not allow entry in a private residential dwelling unit for inspection. For the purposes of inspecting commercial business containers for compliance with Section 3-24-400(b) of this Chapter, the enforcement agency may conduct container inspections for prohibited container contaminants using remote monitoring, and commercial businesses shall accommodate and cooperate with the remote monitoring pursuant to Section 3-24-400(j) of this Chapter.
(b) A person subject to the requirements of this Chapter shall provide or arrange for access during all inspections (with the exception of a private residential dwelling unit) and shall cooperate with the enforcement agency during such inspections and investigations. Such inspections and investigations may include confirmation of proper placement of materials in containers, inspection of edible food recovery activities, review of required records, or other verification or Inspection to confirm compliance with any other requirement of this Chapter. Failure to provide or arrange for: (1) access to the premises; (2) installation and operation of remote monitoring equipment, if a remote monitoring program is adopted; or (3) access to records for any inspection or investigation is a violation of this Chapter and may result in penalties described in Section 3-24-1100.
(c) Any records obtained by the enforcement agency during inspections, remote monitoring, and other reviews shall be subject to the requirements and applicable disclosure exemptions of the California Public Records Act as set forth in Government Code Section 6250 et seq.
(d) The enforcement agency is authorized to conduct any inspections, remote monitoring, or other investigations as reasonably necessary to further the goals of this Chapter, subject to applicable laws.
(e) The enforcement agency shall accept written complaints from persons regarding an entity that may be potentially non-compliant with this Chapter.
(f) The enforcement agency for the provisions of this section is the member agency and any designee authorized by the member agency to enforce one or more sections of this Chapter.
§ 3-24-1100. ENFORCEMENT.¶
(a) Violation of any provision of this Chapter shall constitute grounds for issuance of a notice of violation and assessment of a fine by the enforcement agency. Enforcement actions under this Chapter are issuance of an administrative citation and assessment of a fine. The enforcement agency's procedures on imposition of administrative citations and fines as contained shall govern the imposition, enforcement, collection, and review of administrative citations and fines issued to enforce this Chapter and any rule or regulation adopted pursuant to this Chapter, except as otherwise indicated in this Chapter.
(b) Other remedies allowed by law may be used, including civil action or prosecution as a misdemeanor or infraction. The enforcement agency may pursue civil actions in the California courts to seek recovery of unpaid administrative citations, and fines. The enforcement agency may choose to delay court action until such time as a sufficiently large number of violations, or cumulative size of violations exist such that court action is a reasonable use of enforcement agency staff and resources.
(c) Process for Enforcement:
(1) The following provisions of the ordinance codified in this Chapter may be enforced beginning on January 1, 2022: Section 3-24-400 concerning requirements for commercial business generators, Section 3-24-500 concerning waivers for commercial business generators, Section 3-24-800 concerning requirements for haulers and facility operators, Section 3-24-900 concerning requirements for self- haulers, and inspections related to compliance with those sections.
(2) The following provisions of this Chapter may be enforced beginning on January 1, 2024: Section 3-24-300 concerning requirements for single family generators, Section 3-24-600 concerning requirements for commercial edible food generators, and Section 3-24-700 concerning requirements for food recovery organizations and services, and inspections related to compliance with those sections.
(3) The enforcement agency will monitor compliance with this Chapter through compliance reviews, route reviews, investigation of complaints, and an inspection program (that may include remote monitoring).
(4) The enforcement agency may issue a notice of violation requiring compliance within 60 days of issuance of the notice.
(5) Absent compliance by the respondent within the deadline set forth in the notice of violation, the enforcement agency shall commence an action to impose penalties, via an administrative citation and fine, pursuant to the enforcement agency's standard procedures.
(d) Penalty Amounts for Violations: The penalty levels are as follows:
(1) For a first violation, the amount of the penalty shall be Fifty dollars to One hundred
dollars per violation or such higher amount as may be established by the enforcement
agency.
(2) For a second violation, the amount of the penalty shall be One hundred dollars to Two
hundred dollars per violation or such higher amount as may be established by the
enforcement agency.
(3) For a third or subsequent violation, the amount of the penalty shall be Two hundred
fifty dollars to Five hundred dollars per violation or such higher amount as may be
established by the enforcement agency.
(e) Compliance Deadline Extension Considerations:
The enforcement agency may extend the compliance deadlines set forth in a notice of
violation issued in accordance with this section if it finds that there are extenuating
circumstances beyond the control of the respondent that make compliance within the
deadlines impracticable, including the following:
(1) Acts of nature such as earthquakes, wildfires, flooding, and other emergencies or
natural disasters;
(2) Delays not within the control of the respondent or their agents in obtaining
discretionary permits or other government agency approvals; or
(3) Deficiencies in organic waste recycling infrastructure or edible food recovery
capacity and the member agency is under a corrective action plan with CalRecycle
pursuant to 14 CCR Section 18996.2 due to those deficiencies.
(f) Appeals Process: Persons receiving an administrative citation containing a penalty for an
uncorrected violation may request a hearing to appeal the citation. A hearing will be held
only if it is requested within the time prescribed in the administrative citation and consistent
with the enforcement agency's appeal procedures.
(g) Education Period for Non-Compliance:
With respect to provisions of this Chapter subject to enforcement starting January 1, 2024, the enforcement agency will, prior to that date, conduct inspections, remote monitoring (if such a program is implemented), route reviews or waste evaluations, and compliance reviews, depending upon the type of regulated entity, to determine compliance, and if the enforcement agency determines that organic waste generator, self-hauler, regulated hauler, tier one commercial edible food generator, food recovery organization, food recovery service, or other entity is not in compliance, it shall provide educational materials to the entity describing its obligations under this Chapter and a notice that compliance is required and that violations may be subject to administrative citations, penalties, or other remedies starting on January 1, 2024.
(h) Civil Penalties for Noncompliance: If the enforcement agency determines that an organic
waste generator, self-hauler, regulated hauler, tier one or tier two commercial edible food
generator, food recovery organization, food recovery service, or other entity is not in
compliance with this Chapter, it may document the noncompliance or violation, issue a
notice of violation, and/or take enforcement action pursuant to this section, as needed and
consistent with the enforcement commencement dates set forth in subsection (c)(1), above.
(i) The WMA is authorized and designated to carry out the responsibilities specified herein as
an enforcement agency. This authorization and designation does not limit the City's
authority to independently carry out some or all of the responsibilities designated herein, and the City retains full authority to implement and enforce this Chapter. The City Council
may, by resolution, authorize and designate other entities to carry out responsibilities under
this Chapter and no amendment of this Chapter shall be required.
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