Chapter 20.430 — RECYCLING FACILITIES

This Chapter establishes standards and procedures for the siting and operation of various types and sizes of commercial recycling facilities.

(Ord. 1017, 2013)

Recycling facilities shall operate in compliance with the Beverage Recycling and Litter Reduction Act (Public Resources Code Division 12.1 ); Plastic Waste (Public Resources Code Section 18000 et seq.), Fiberglass Recycled Content Act (Public Resources Code Section 19500 et seq.); and the Used Oil Recycling Enhancement Act (Public Resources Code, Section 48600 et seq.).

(Ord. 1017, 2013)

Certified small used oil collection units (400 gallons or less) are automatically allowed in commercial and industrial zones provided that they are maintained inside a structure and as an accessory use to a business licensed for vehicle-related use.

(Ord. 1017, 2013)

This Section provides standards for the location and operation of reverse vending machines, where allowed by Article 2 (Zones, Allowable Land Uses, and Zone-Specific Standards).

• A. Defined. A reverse vending machine is an automated enclosed mechanical device that accepts empty beverage containers (i.e., aluminum cans, glass, and plastic bottles) for sorting and processing and issues a cash refund or a redeemable credit slip with a value not less than the container's redemption value as determined by the State.

• B. Accessory use. Reverse vending machine(s) may be an accessory use to a commercial or industrial use that fully complies with this Zoning Code.

• C. Parking. Reverse vending machine(s) shall not require additional parking spaces for recycling customers and shall not occupy parking spaces required by the primary use.

• D. Location. Reverse vending machines shall be located within 30 feet of a building entrance and shall not obstruct pedestrian or vehicular circulation.

• E. Features. Reverse vending machines shall:

  1. Occupy a maximum of 50 square feet of floor space per installation, including any protective enclosure, and shall be a maximum of eight feet in height.

  2. Be constructed and maintained with durable waterproof and rustproof material.

  3. Be illuminated to ensure comfortable and safe operation if operating hours are between dusk and dawn.

  4. Be clearly marked to identify the type of material to be deposited, operating instructions, and the identity and phone number of the operator or responsible person to call if the machine is inoperative.

  5. Have a sign area of a maximum of four square feet per machine, exclusive of operating instructions.

• F. Operating requirements. Reverse vending machines shall:

  1. Be maintained in a clean, sanitary and litter-free condition on a daily basis.

  2. Have operating hours that are consistent with the operating hours of the primary use.

  3. Maintain an adequate on-site refuse container for disposal of nonhazardous waste.

• G. Signs. A reverse vending machine may have a sign with a maximum of four square feet of sign area, exclusive of operating instructions.

• (Ord. 1017, 2013)

This Section provides standards for the location and operation of small collection facilities, where allowed by Article 2 (Zones, Allowable Land Uses, and Zone-Specific Standards).

• A. Defined. Small collection facilities accept recyclable materials from the public by donation, redemption, or purchase and may include any of the following, which are no larger than 500 square feet:

  1. Mobile recycling units. A mobile recycling unit consists of a vehicle, truck, trailer, or van, licensed by the Department of Motor Vehicles that is used for the collection of recyclable materials, including bins, boxes, or containers transported by trucks, vans, or trailers, and used for the collection of recyclable materials.

  2. Bulk reverse vending machines. A bulk reverse vending machine consists of a reverse vending machine that is larger than 50 square feet; is designed to accept more than one container at a time; and will pay by weight instead of by container.

  3. Grouping of reverse vending machines. A grouping of reverse vending machines occupying more than 50 square feet.

  4. Kiosk-type units that may include permanent structures.

• B. Accessory use. Small collection facilities may be an accessory use to a commercial or industrial use that fully complies with this Zoning Code.

• C. Location. Small collection facilities of any type shall:

  1. Occupy a maximum of five parking spaces not including space that will be periodically needed for removal of materials or exchange of containers.

  2. Be set back at least 10 feet from any public right-of-way, shall not obstruct pedestrian or vehicular circulation, and shall be located to the rear whenever possible.

  3. Not be located within 100 feet of any residential zone, if an attended facility.

• D. Operating standards. Small collection facilities shall:

  1. Accept only glass, metals, plastic containers, papers, and reusable items.

  2. Use no power-driven processing equipment, except for reverse vending machines.

  3. Use containers that are constructed and maintained with durable waterproof and rustproof material; covered when site is not attended; secured from unauthorized entry or removal of material; and of sufficient capacity to accommodate materials collected.

  4. Store all recyclable material in the mobile unit vehicle and shall not leave materials outside of the unit when attendant is not present.

  5. Be maintained in a clean and sanitary manner free of litter and any other undesirable materials, including mobile facilities.

  6. Not exceed noise levels of 65 dBA measured at the lot line of adjacent residential zones.

  7. Not be 24-hour operations and have an attendant during hours that open.

  8. Maintain adequate refuse containers for the disposal of nonhazardous waste.

• E. Design criteria.

  1. Collection containers, site fencing and signs shall be of color and design so as to be compatible with and to harmonize with the surrounding uses and neighborhood.

2. Small collection facilities may be subject to landscaping and/or screening requirements as determined by the review authority.

   3. The facility shall not impair the landscaping required by Chapter 20.315 (Landscaping Standards) for any concurrent use.

   4. Containers shall be clearly marked to identify the type of material that may be deposited; the facility shall be clearly marked to identify the name and telephone number of the facility operator and the hours of operation and display a notice stating that no material shall be left outside the recycling enclosure or containers.

• F. Signs. Signs may be provided as follows:

  1. Recycling facilities may have identification signs with a maximum of 15 percent per side of a structure or 16 square feet, whichever is less. In the case of a wheeled facility, the side will be measured from

the ground to the top of the container.

2. Signs shall be consistent with the character of their location.

3. Directional signs, consistent with Chapter 20.325 (Sign Standards) and bearing no advertising message, may be installed with the approval of the Director if found necessary to facilitate traffic circulation or if the facility is not visible from the public right-of-way.

• G. Parking and circulation.

  1. No additional parking space shall be required for customers of a small collection facility located at the established parking lot of the primary use. One space shall be provided for the attendant, if needed.

  2. Mobile recycling units shall have an area clearly marked to prohibit other vehicular parking during hours when the mobile unit is scheduled to be present.

  3. Occupation of parking spaces by the facility and by the attendant shall not reduce available parking spaces below the minimum number required for the primary use unless all of the following conditions exist:

     • a. A parking study shows that existing parking capacity is not already fully utilized during the time the recycling facility will be on the site, and

• b. The permit shall be reviewed at the end of 18 months.

• (Ord. 1017, 2013)

This Section provides standards for the location and operation of large collection facilities, where allowed by Article 2 (Zones, Allowable Land Uses, and Zone-Specific Standards).

• A. Defined. Large collection facilities accept recyclable materials from the public by donation, redemption, or purchase and may include permanent structures and any of the following, which are larger than 500 square feet or on a separate lot not accessory to a primary use:

  1. Mobile recycling units. A mobile recycling unit consists of a vehicle, truck, trailer, or van, licensed by the Department of Motor Vehicles that is used for the collection of recyclable materials, including bins, boxes, or containers transported by trucks, vans, or trailers, and used for the collection of recyclable materials.

  2. Bulk reverse vending machines. A bulk reverse vending machine consists of a reverse vending machine that is larger than 50 square feet; is designed to accept more than one container at a time; and will pay by weight instead of by container.

  3. Grouping of reverse vending machines. A grouping of reverse vending machines occupying more than 50 square feet.

  4. Kiosk-type units that may include permanent structures.

• B. Primary use. Large collection facilities may be on a separate lot not accessory to a primary use.

• C. Location. Large collection facilities of any type shall:

  1. Not be located within 100 feet of a residentially-zoned lot.

  2. Be set back in compliance with the setback standards applicable to primary structures for the zone in which the facility is located.

• D. Operating standards.

  1. The site shall be maintained clean, sanitary, and free of litter and any other undesirable materials, and will be cleaned of loose debris on a daily basis.

  2. Noise levels shall not exceed 65 dBA as measured at the lot line of adjacent residential zones.

  3. If the facility is located within 200 feet of property designated or planned for residential use, it shall not operate between the hours of 7:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m.

  4. Exterior storage of material shall be in sturdy containers that are covered, secured, and maintained in good condition. Outdoor storage shall be screened by a six-foot, solid decorative masonry wall. No storage, excluding truck trailers, shall be visible above the height of the wall. No outdoor storage shall be allowed in the zones that do not permit outdoor storage.

  5. Containers provided for after-hours donation of recyclable materials shall be permanently located, constructed of sturdy rustproof material, and shall have sufficient capacity to accommodate materials collected and be secure from unauthorized entry or removal of materials.

  6. Donation areas shall be kept free of litter and any other undesirable material and the containers shall be clearly marked to identify the type of material that may be deposited. The facility shall display a notice stating that no material shall be left outside the recycling containers.

  7. Adequate refuse containers for the disposal of nonhazardous waste shall be permanently maintained on-site.

• E. Landscaping and screening.

  1. The facility shall be screened from the public right-of-way, within an enclosed structure.

  2. Landscape requirements shall be those required for the zone in which the facility is located.

• F. Parking and circulation.

  1. Space shall be provided on-site for six vehicles to circulate and to deposit recyclable materials.

  2. Four parking spaces for employees plus one parking space for each commercial use operated by the recycling facility shall be provided on-site.

• G. Signs. The facility shall be clearly marked with the name and phone number of the facility operator and the hours of operation; identification and informational signs shall meet the applicable standards in Section 20.325.100 (Standards for Permanent Signs); and directional signs bearing no advertising message may be installed with the approval of the Director, if necessary to facilitate traffic circulation.

• (Ord. 1017, 2013)

This Section provides standards for the location and operation of light and heavy processing facilities, where allowed by Article 2 (Zones, Allowable Land Uses, and Zone-Specific Standards).

• A. Defined. A processing facility is a structure or enclosed space used for the collection and processing of recyclable materials to prepare for either efficient shipment, or to an end-user's specifications by means of baling, briquetting, compacting, flattening, grinding, crushing, mechanical sorting, shredding, cleaning and remanufacturing. Processing facilities include the following:

  1. Light processing facility occupies an area of under 45,000 square feet of collection, processing and storage area, and averages two outbound truck shipments per day. Light processing facilities are limited to baling, briquetting, crushing, compacting, grinding, shredding and sorting of source separated recyclable materials sufficient to qualify as a certified processing facility. A light processing facility shall not shred, compact, or bale ferrous metals other than food and beverage containers.

  2. A heavy processing facility is any processing facility other than a light processing facility.

• B. Location. Processing facilities of any type shall:

  1. Not be located within 100 feet of a residentially-zoned lot.

  2. Be set back in compliance with the setback standards for the zone in which the facility is located.

• C. Operating standards.

  1. Processors shall operate within a completely enclosed structure.

  2. Power-driven processing shall be allowed provided all noise level requirements are met.

  3. Light processing facilities are limited to baling, briquetting, crushing, compacting, grinding, shredding and sorting of source-separated recyclable materials and repairing of reusable materials.

  4. A light processing facility shall be no larger than 45,000 square feet and shall have a maximum of an average of two outbound truck shipments of material per day and shall not shred, compact or bale ferrous metals other than food and beverage containers.

  5. Exterior storage of material shall be in sturdy containers or enclosures that are covered, secured and maintained in good condition. Storage containers for flammable materials shall be constructed of nonflammable material. No storage excluding truck trailers shall be visible above the height of the required walls.

  6. The site shall be maintained in a clean manner and free of litter and any other undesirable material(s). Loose debris shall be collected on a daily basis and the site shall be secured from unauthorized entry and removal of materials when attendants are not present.

  7. Noise levels shall not exceed 65 dBA as measured at the property line of residential zones.

  8. If the facility is located within 500 feet of property designated or planned for residential use, it shall not be in operation between 7:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m.

  9. The facility shall be administered by on-site personnel during the hours the facility is open.

10. Any containers provided for after-hours donation of recyclable materials shall be situated at least 100 feet from any residentially-zoned lot, and shall be sturdy, rustproof construction, with sufficient capacity to accommodate materials collected, and shall be secure from unauthorized entry or removal of materials.

11. Donation areas shall be kept free of litter and any other undesirable material. The containers shall be clearly marked to identify the type of material that may be deposited. The facility shall display a notice stating that no material shall be left outside the recycling containers.

12. No dust, fumes, smoke, vibration or odor above ambient level shall be detectable from adjacent residentially designated lots.

13. The facility shall maintain adequate on-site refuse containers for the disposal of nonhazardous waste.

• D. Landscaping and screening. Landscaping shall be provided in compliance with the requirements for the zone where the facility is located.

• E. Parking and circulation.

  1. Space shall be provided on-site for the anticipated peak load of customers to circulate, park and deposit recyclable materials. If the facility is open to the public, a parking area shall be provided for a minimum of 10 customers at any one time.

  2. One employee space shall be provided for each commercial vehicle operated by the processing center.

• F. Signs. Signs shall be installed in compliance with Chapter 20.325 (Sign Standards). Additionally, the facility shall be clearly marked with the name and phone number of the facility operator and the hours of operation.

• (Ord. 1017, 2013)