Chapter 17.250 — RECYCLING FACILITIES

These standards are designed to provide appropriate development of recycling facilities pursuant to the 1986 California Beverage Container Recycling and Litter Reduction Act (Public Resources Code Section 14500 et seq.).

(Ord. 247, 1/15/2025)

• A. Reverse Vending Machines.

  1. Location. Reverse vending machines shall be established in conjunction with supermarkets or other commercial or industrial uses which are subject to development review (minor or major) or conditional use permits, and shall be located within 30 feet of the entrance to the commercial or industrial structure, without obstructing pedestrian or vehicular traffic, or occupying parking spaces required by the primary use.

  2. Parking. No additional parking spaces for access or use shall be required.

  3. Size. Reverse vending machines shall occupy no more than 50 square feet of floor area per machine, and shall be no more than eight feet in height.

  4. Design. Reverse vending machines shall be constructed and maintained with durable waterproof and rustproof material, and shall be clearly marked to identify material to be deposited, operating instructions, and the identity and the telephone number of the operator or responsible person to contact in the event of machine malfunction or if the machine is inoperative.

  5. Signs. Signs shall have a maximum surface area of four square feet.

  6. Maintenance. Units shall be maintained in a clean litter-free condition, and shall be sufficiently illuminated to ensure safe operations at all times.

  7. Operating Hours. Such facilities shall have operating hours at least the same as the primary use.

• B. Mobile Recycling Units.

  1. Mobile recycling units shall be established in conjunction with supermarkets or other commercial or industrial uses which are subject to approved development review or conditional use permits.

  2. Mobile recycling units shall be no larger than 500 square feet and occupy no more than five parking spaces not including space needed for material removal or transfer.

  3. Such facilities shall accept only glass, metals, plastics, papers and such other nonhazardous materials suitable for recycling.

  4. Parking. No additional parking spaces for customer use at facilities located in established parking lots of a primary use, shall be required. Mobile recycling units shall have an area which is clearly marked to prohibit other vehicular parking during times when the mobile unit is scheduled to be present.

  5. Setbacks.

     • a. Units shall be set back at least 10 feet from any street line and shall not obstruct pedestrian or vehicular traffic.

     • b. The storage, operation and concealment of materials shall conform to the setback and development standards of the zone in which the project is located.

     • c. Containers for 24-hour material donation shall be at least 30 feet from any residentially zoned property unless superseded by an acoustic barrier approved by the Community Development Director.

  6. Storage.

     • a. Storage containers shall be securable and constructed of waterproof and rustproof materials.

     • b. Storage of recyclable materials outside of containers or mobile unit when an attendant is not present is prohibited.

• c. Containers shall be clearly marked to indicate the type of material acceptable for collection. The facility shall identify the operator and hours of operation.

  7. Maintenance facilities shall be maintained in a safe and litter-free condition.

  8. Hours of Operation. Attended facilities located within 100 feet of any residentially zoned property shall operate only between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m.

  9. Signs.

     • a. All on-site signs shall comply with the provisions of Chapter 17.180 (Signs).

     • b. Directional signs may be installed, as approved, if necessary to facilitate traffic circulation.

     • c. A sign shall be affixed to the facility prohibiting the deposit of hazardous or toxic materials after hours or at any time an attendant is not present.

  10. Noise. The facility shall not exceed noise levels of 60 dBA as measured at the exterior property line of residentially zoned property. In no event shall the noise level exceed 70 dBA.

  11. Landscaping. Facilities shall be located so as not to affect the landscaping required for any concurrent land use.

  12. Additional Development Requirements. Additional development standards may be required as conditions of approval.

• C. Recycling Collection Facilities. Containers provided for after-hours donation shall be set back at least 50 feet from any property zoned or occupied for residential use, and shall be constructed of sturdy and durable containers that have the capacity to accommodate donated materials.

  1. Storage of Materials.

     • a. All exterior storage of materials shall be in sturdy weather and rustproof containers which are covered, baled or palletized; and which are secured and maintained in good condition.

     • b. Storage for flammable materials shall be in nonflammable containers.

     • c. Storage for the recycling of oil shall be in containers approved by the Health Department.

  2. Parking. Parking shall be provided for six vehicles or the anticipated peak customer demand load, whichever is greater. One additional parking space for each commercial vehicle operated by the facility shall be provided.

  3. Noise. The facility shall not exceed noise levels of 60 dBA as measured at the exterior property line of residentially zoned property. In no event shall the noise level exceed 70 dBA.

  4. Hours of Operation. If the facility is located within 500 feet of property zoned or designated for residential use subsequent to the General Plan, it shall not operate between the hours of 7:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m.

  5. Signs. All on-site signs shall be in conformance with the standards set forth in Chapter 17.180 (Signs), and shall clearly identify the responsible operating parties and their telephone numbers.

  6. Power-Driven Machinery. The use of power-driven machinery shall be limited to stateapproved reverse vending machines. In addition:

     • a. Machinery which is necessary for the temporary storage, efficient transfer, or securing of recyclable materials may be permitted with the approval of a minor development permit.

• b. In the M-I zones power-driven machinery which is used to briquette, shred, transform and otherwise process recyclable materials may be approved with a conditional use permit.

  7. Additional Development Requirements. Additional development standards may be required as conditions of approval.

• D. Recycling Processing Facilities.

  1. The processing facility shall operate totally within an enclosed building with no outside storage, and shall be located at least 150 feet from property zoned or designated for residential use pursuant to the General Plan. Outside storage shall not be permitted.

  2. Setbacks, landscaping and structural requirements shall comply with the development standards of the underlying zone.

  3. Storage of Materials.

     • a. All outside storage of materials shall be in sturdy weather and rustproof containers which are covered, baled, or palletized; and which are secured and maintained in good condition.

     • b. Storage for flammable materials shall be in nonflammable containers.

     • c. Storage for the recycling of oil shall be in containers approved by the Health Department.

     • d. Storage of recyclable materials outside of containers or mobile/recycling unit when attendant is not present is prohibited.

     • e. Containers shall be clearly marked to indicate the type of material accepted for collection.

  4. Parking. Parking shall be provided on site for the peak load circulation and parking of customers. If the facility is to service the public, parking spaces shall be provided for a minimum of 10 customers, or the peak customer demand load whichever is greater.

  5. Noise. The facility shall not exceed noise levels of 60 dBA as measured at the exterior property line of residentially zoned property. In no event shall the noise level exceed 70 dBA.

  6. Hours of Operation. The facility shall identify the operator and the hours of operation. If the facility is located within 500 feet of property zoned or planned for residential use pursuant to the General Plan, it shall not operate between the hours of 7:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m.

  7. Signs. All on-site signs shall be in conformance with the standards set forth in Chapter 17.180 (Signs), and shall clearly identify the responsible operating parties and their telephone numbers.

  8. The site shall be maintained in a safe and litter-free condition on a daily basis.

  9. Additional Development Requirements. Additional development standards may be required as conditions of approval.

• (Ord. 247, 1/15/2025)