Thousand Oaks Municipal Code Art. 7 Waste Enclosure Requirements

All Solid Waste, Recyclable Materials, and Organics Materials Collection Containers serving Commercial, Mixed-Use Dwelling, and Multi-Family (MFD-C) locations that utilize a centralized collection service are provided by the Exclusive Franchise Contractor, and must be screened and stored in a Waste Enclosure at all times except when serviced by the Contractor. Waste Enclosures must be consistent with the City's Waste Enclosure Design Guidelines and comply with the following requirements:

(a) The Waste Enclosure design and finish must be architecturally similar to the building it serves and its location approved by the City. Outdoor Waste Enclosures shall be covered with a roof and the style and composition of the roof shall be determined by the City.

(b) The design of the enclosure must be large enough to accommodate Collection Containers for source-separated Solid Waste, Organic Waste, and Recyclable Materials. The minimum interior dimensions of the three-bin enclosure shall be a minimum of eight (8) feet deep, 20 feet wide when viewed from the front, and nine (9) feet high at the lowest point inside the structure.

(c) Gates providing access and egress for employees shall be equipped with self-closing hinges.

(d) Two (or more) "Recycle" signs and two (or more) "Compostables" signs shall be purchased from the City of Thousand Oaks Public Works Department at a cost stipulated in the current City User Fees Manual, and shall be posted in conspicuous places on the enclosure (as per Ordinance No 1677-NS). At least one "Recycle" sign and one "Compostables" sign shall be posted on the access/egress gates at or above waist level, and one "Recycle" sign and one "Compostables" sign shall be posted on the back wall at or slightly below "eye level."

(e) Compactor units that are self-contained and watertight are not required to be placed inside Waste Enclosures provided that the surrounding area is kept clear of litter and debris.

(Ord. 1688-NS, eff. December 17, 2021)

(a) Whenever practical, Waste Enclosures shall not be visible from a public street or right-of-way. In those instances when it is not possible to locate the Waste Enclosure at the back of the parcel and/or behind the main structure, the enclosure shall be situated in such a manner that the gates shall not be readily visible from a public street or right-of-way.

(b) If conditions are such that the Waste Enclosure must be built where it will be visible from the street, the architectural design and decor must be the same as the structure it serves.

(c) Adequate back-up distance shall be provided for the Contractor's service vehicles. The required distance varies depending on circumstances, so developers are required to consult with Exclusive Franchise Hauler and obtain approval prior to submitting building plans to the City.

In relation to the building served:

(d) Resident access to Waste Enclosures serving MFD-C or MXD developments via walk-up shall be located no further than 150 feet from the front door of the furthest residential unit served as measured along the accessible path of travel. Waste Enclosures serving all other commercial buildings shall be located no further than 250 feet from the nearest point of the building served.

(e) Haulers must have access to parking garages or locked gates without restriction or prior notification. The building occupants may bring out containers for collection, but they must meet timing and placement requirements under Sections 6-2.503 and 6-2.504 of this Ordinance.

(f) The path between the building served and the enclosure will be used by those that empty the waste containers in the building. The path of travel shall be sufficiently accessible for the building occupants and users. If the enclosure must be handicapped accessible, an accessible route of travel from the building will be required, per California Building Code.

(g) Collection Containers cannot be placed within five (5) feet of combustible walls, openings, or combustible roof eave lines unless the enclosure is protected by an approved automatic fire sprinkler system. This restriction does not apply to carts or cans. Containers cannot be placed under stairways unless the stairway is fire rated for one (1) hour or protected by automatic fire sprinklers.

(Ord. 1688-NS, eff. December 17, 2021)

(a) Overhead clearances must follow City Waste Enclosure design guidelines in order to be serviced by waste collection vehicles.

(b) Resident access to Waste Enclosures serving MFD-C or MXD developments via chutes or walk-up shall be located no further than 150 feet from the front door of the furthest residential unit served as measured along the accessible path of travel. Waste Enclosures serving all other commercial buildings shall be located no further than 250 feet from the nearest point of the building served.

(c) Haulers must have access to parking garages or locked gates without restriction or prior notification. The building occupants may bring out containers for collection, but they must meet timing and placement requirements under Sections 6-2.503 and 6-2.504 of this Chapter.

(d) For indoor locations where organics bins are located and contain food waste, the trash/recycling area requires the following additional features for sanitation:

(1) Fully enclosed room (including ceiling) within the parking garage/building.

(2) Walls and floor constructed with a smooth finish that can be easily cleaned.

(3) Mechanical ventilation, or with screened vent openings to the outdoors.

(4) Floor drain with proper drainage slope that connects to the sanitary sewer.

(5) Spigot with hose for cleaning.

(e) An indoor trash/recycling area that serves any of the following occupancies will require the additional features listed in (d) above:

(1) Caterer or food production facility.

(2) Coffee shop or restaurant.

(3) Day care, preschool, and/or K-12 school.

(4) Grocery store or market with perishable items.

(5) Homeless shelter.

(6) Residential.

(7) Nursing care facility.

(8) Any facility with a commercial kitchen.

(9) Any similar facility that has the same potential for odor and/or nuisance.

(Ord. 1688-NS, eff. December 17, 2021)