Torrance Municipal Code Art. 13 Reverse Vending Machines

The intent and purpose of these regulations is to meet the requirements of the State Beverage Container Recycling and Litter Reduction Act of 1986; to meet community recycling needs; and to ensure the compatibility of recycling facilities with surrounding uses for the protection of the health, safety and general welfare of the City of Torrance and its residents.

Reverse vending machine(s) shall mean an automated mechanical device which accepts at least one or more types of empty beverage containers including, but not limited to aluminum cans, glass and plastic bottles, 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. A reverse vending machine may sort and process containers mechanically; provided, that the entire process is enclosed within the machine. In order to accept and temporarily store all three container types in a proportion commensurate with their relative redemption rates, and to meet the requirements of certification as a recycling facility, multiple grouping of reverse vending machines may be necessary.

a) Reverse vending machines shall be permitted in all zones except residential zones upon administrative approval by the Building and Safety Director and obtaining a business license from the Finance Department.

b) Reverse vending machines shall comply with the following standards:

1. Shall be established in conjunction with a commercial use or community service facility which is in compliance with the zoning, building and fire codes of the City of Torrance;

2. Shall not obstruct pedestrian or vehicular circulation;

3. Shall not occupy parking spaces required by the primary use;

4. Shall cumulatively occupy no more than fifty square feet of floor space per site, including any protective enclosure, and shall be no more than eight feet in height;

5. Shall be constructed and maintained with durable waterproof and rustproof material;

6. Shall 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;

7. Shall have a sign area of a maximum of four (4) square feet per machine, solely for the purpose of identifying the recycling facility or materials accepted for recycling. Additional area is permitted to provide operating instructions;

8. Shall be maintained in a clean, litter-free condition on a daily basis;

9. Operating hours shall be at least the operating hours of the host use;

10. Shall be illuminated to ensure comfortable and safe operation if operating hours are between dusk and dawn;

11. Shall be located adjacent to building walls and designed to be aesthetically compatible with the host use and with surrounding uses.

c) Failure to comply with the above standards will result in a revocation of the administrative permit.

d) The license fee shall be Fifty Dollars ($50.00) per year per machine, along with an application fee of Seventy-seven Dollars ($77.00) per site.

e) The collection facilities, as defined under Section 96.3.42 (b)(4) shall be subject to a license fee of One Hundred Fifty Dollars ($150.00) plus Thirty-two Dollars ($32.00) per year per person working on site.

f) Large collection facilities and processing facilities as defined under Section 95.3.42 (b)(5) through (b)(8) shall be subject to a license fee of Three Hundred Dollars ($300.00) plus Thirty-two Dollars ($32.00) per year per person working on site.