Tuolumne County Municipal Code Art. 4 Chapter 17.84

RECYCLING FACILITIES Sections:

• 17.84.010 Purpose.
• 17.84.020 Applicability.
• 17.84.030 Permit Required.
• 17.84.040 Development and Operational Standards - General.
• 17.84.050 Development and Operational Standards - Recycling Facilities.

Chapter is to establish standards for the location, site planning, development, and operations of certain land uses that are allowed by Article 2, Zoning Districts and Allowable Land Uses, within individual or multiple districts, and for activities that require special standards to minimize the impacts of these uses and activities on surrounding properties and to protect the health, safety, and welfare of their occupants and of the general public.

contained in this Chapter shall apply to all recycling facility uses.

A. Permit Required. All recycling facility uses shall be subject to approval of the specified permit detailed in the use tables in Article 2. B. Exceptions. Reverse vending machines covering up to 50 square feet do not require review and permits under this Chapter, provided they comply with all applicable development standards.

Standards - General.
The following development and performance standards shall apply to all recycling facilities.
A. Site Cleanup Required. The operator and host business of any recycling collection or processing facility shall, on a daily basis, remove any and all recyclable materials or solid wastes which have accumulated or are deposited outside the containers, bins, or enclosures intended as receptacles for such materials. Upon the failure to remove said materials, the County may deem them to be abandoned and may enter the site to remove the materials. The property owner(s) of the premises and the operator of the facility shall be liable for the full cost of any such cleanup work done by the County as specified in County Code Chapter 1.10. B. Parking Requirements.
1. All required parking spaces shall comply with the location and design standards established by the applicable land use district and the provisions of Chapter 17.30 (Off-Street Parking). a. Exceptions. Parking requirements for employees may be reduced when it is determined by the Director that parking spaces are not necessary for operation of the facility or when employees are transported in a company vehicle to a work facility (See Table 17.84.040).
2. One parking space shall be provided for each commercial vehicle operated by the recycling/processing facility.

Space shall be provided on- site for a minimum of six vehicles, except where the Community Development Director reasonably determines that allowing overflow traffic above six vehicles is compatible with surrounding businesses and public safety; or on-site drive- through stacking capacity for 10 vehicles shall be provided to circulate and deposit recyclable materials.
4. Occupation of parking spaces by the facility and by the attendant may not reduce available parking spaces below the minimum number required for the primary host use unless all the following conditions exist:
a. The facility is located in a convenience zone or a potential convenience zone as designated by the California Department of Conservation.
b. A parking study shows that existing parking capacity is not already fully utilized during the time the recycling facility will be on the site.

TABLE 17.84.1 PARKING CAPACITY A. Available Parking Spaces
B. Maximum Reduction
0-25
0
6-35
2
36-49
3
50-99
4
100+
5

C. Signage. In addition to the signs and certificates issued by the Department of Conservation and the Division of Recycling, which must be displayed by the operator/processor, and the informational signs required by this Chapter:
1. Unattended containers not over 50 cubic feet in bulk and not over 9 feet in height may have a maximum sign area of 4 square feet.
2. Other containers or units may have one flat-mounted sign per side of container or wall of enclosure of 20 percent of the surface of the side where the sign is affixed, not to exceed a maximum of 16 square feet.

Standards - Recycling Facilities.
A. Small Collection Facilities. A small collection facility is an accessory use to a host use, and typically is not a permanent building (for recycling facilities as a primary use, see Subdivision 17.84.060.B, Large Collection Facilities). A small collection facility may be approved as designated in the applicable allowed land use tables, provided the facility meets the following standards.
1. The facility shall be established as an accessory use to a primary commercial or industrial use which is in compliance with the County Code including Building and Fire Codes of the County and shall not occupy more than 500 square feet.
2. Containers shall be constructed and maintained with durable, waterproof, and rustproof material and shall be covered.
3. Containers shall be clearly marked to identify the type(s) of recyclable(s) which may be deposited.
4. Facility shall be clearly marked to identify the name

and telephone number of the facility operator.
5. Site shall be maintained in a dust-free and litter-free condition on a daily basis.
6. Facility shall be set back at least 10 feet, or greater if established by the land use district, from any street right- of-way and shall not obstruct pedestrian or vehicular circulation.
7. The facility shall not impair the landscaping required for any concurrent use.
8. Noise level shall not at any time exceed 65 dBA as measured at the property line of residentially zoned property and shall not exceed 70 dBA at any location.
9. Small collection facilities shall not include power-driven sorting and/or consolidation equipment, such as crushers or bailers, except reverse vending machines.
10. Use of the facility for collection of solid wastes or hazardous wastes shall be in accordance with CCR Title 14 and other applicable regulations.
11. If the permit expires without renewal or is revoked, the collection facility shall be removed from the site on the day following permit expiration or revocation.
12. Attended facilities located within 100 feet of a property zoned or occupied for residential use may only be in operation during the hours between 9:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m., and otherwise during the hours of operation of the host business. Containers for the 24-hour donation of materials shall be at least 30 feet from any property zoned or occupied for residential use unless there is a recognized service corridor and acoustical shielding between the containers and the residential use.
13. The facility shall conform to all development regulations for the land use district in which it is located.
14. Mobile recycling units shall have an area clearly marked to prohibit other vehicular parking during the hours when the mobile unit is scheduled to be present.
B. Large Collection Facilities. A large collection facility is on a separate property not appurtenant to a host use or is one that exceeds standards for Small Collection Facilities. A large collection facility may be approved as designated in the commercial and industrial land use districts provided the facility meets the following standards:
1. Facility is located at least 150 feet from the property line of any residential use or land use district which allows residential land uses.
2. Facility shall be screened from the public right-of-way by operating in an enclosed building or within an area enclosed by an opaque fence at least 6 feet in height which is buffered by exterior landscaping and shall meet all applicable noise standards specified in this Chapter.
3. Setbacks and landscape requirements shall be those provided for the land use district in which the facility is located.
4. All exterior storage of material shall be in sturdy containers which are covered, secured, and maintained in good condition, or may be baled or placed on pallets. Storage containers for flammable material shall be constructed of nonflammable

material. Oil storage must be in containers approved by the Fire Department. No storage, excluding truck trailers and seagoing cargo containers, shall be visible above the height of the fencing, screening, or landscaping.
5. The site shall be maintained free of litter, dust, flies, and any other undesirable materials, and shall be cleaned of loose debris on a daily basis.
6. Noise levels shall not exceed 65 dBA as measured at the property line of residentially zoned property and shall not exceed 70 dBA at any location.
7. If the facility is located within 500 feet of property zoned, planned, or occupied for residential use, it shall not be in operation between 7:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m.
8. Any containers or enclosures provided for after-hours donation of recyclable materials shall be at least 50 feet from any property zoned, planned, or occupied for residential use; be of sturdy, rustproof construction; have sufficient capacity to accommodate materials collected; and be secured from unauthorized entry or removal of materials.
9. 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. Facility shall display a notice stating that no material shall be left outside the recycling containers.
10. 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 standards of the zone; and directional signs may be installed with the approval of the Community Development Department if necessary, to facilitate traffic circulation or if the facility is not visible from the public right-of-way.
11. Power-driven processing, including aluminum foil and can compacting, baling, plastic shredding, or other light processing activities necessary for efficient temporary storage and shipment of material, may be approved at the discretion of the approval authority if noise restrictions and other conditions are met.
C. Recycling Processing Facilities and Recyclable Materials Salvage Yards.
1. The facility shall be located at least 150 feet from property zoned or occupied for residential use and operations shall take place within a fully enclosed building or within an area enclosed by a solid wood or solid masonry fence at least 6 feet in height that is maintained in good condition and free of holes or gaps.
2. Setbacks from property lines shall be those provided for the land use district in which the facility is located. If the setback is less than 25 feet, the facility shall be buffered by a landscape strip at least 10 feet wide along each property line.
3. If the facility is located within 500 feet of property zoned or occupied for residential use, it shall not be in operation between 7:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. The facility shall be

administered by on-site personnel during the hours the facility is open.
4. Noise level shall not exceed 65 dBA as measured at the property line of an existing residence or land use district allowing residential land uses and shall not exceed 70 dBA at any point.
5. Sign criteria shall be those provided for the land use district in which the facility is located. In addition, the facility shall be clearly marked with the name and phone number of the facility operator and the hours of operation.
6. Any containers or enclosures provided for after-hours donation of recyclable materials shall be at least 50 feet from any property zoned or occupied for residential use; be of sturdy, rustproof construction; have sufficient capacity to accommodate materials collected; and be secured from unauthorized entry or removal of materials.
7. 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. Facility shall display a notice stating that no material shall be left outside the recycling containers.
8. The facility shall not create any dust, fumes, smoke, vibration, or odor above an ambient level that is detectable on neighboring properties.
9. Power-driven processing may be permitted, provided all noise level requirements are met.
10. A processing facility may accept used motor oil for recycling from the generator in accordance with Section 25250.11 of the California Health and Safety Code.
11. All exterior storage of material shall be in sturdy containers or enclosures which are covered, secured, and maintained in good condition or may be baled or placed on pallets. Storage containers for flammable material shall be constructed of nonflammable material. Oil storage must be in containers approved by the Fire Department. No storage, excluding truck trailers and seagoing cargo containers, shall be visible above the height of the fencing, screening, or landscaping.
12. Site shall be maintained free of litter and any other undesirable materials, be cleaned of loose debris on a daily basis, and be secured from unauthorized entry and removal of materials when attendants are not present.