Chapter 84.19 — RECYCLING FACILITIES

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

(Ord. 4011, passed - -2007)

The standards and procedures in this Chapter shall apply to recycling facilities where allowed in compliance with Division 2 (Land Use Zoning Districts and Allowed Land Uses). (Ord. 4011, passed - -2007)

Recycling facilities shall meet the applicable criteria and standards listed in this Chapter, provided that the Director, Chief of the County Fire Department, Commission, or Board may relax the standards or impose stricter standards at their discretion upon a finding that modifications are reasonably necessary in order to implement the general intent of this Chapter and the purposes of this Development Code.

(Ord. 4011, passed - -2007)

In addition to the permit requirements in Division 2 (Land Use Zoning Districts and Allowed Land Uses), recycling facilities may require a Health Permit in compliance with Title 3 (Health and Sanitation and Animal Regulations) of the County Code. Reverse vending machines shall only be allowed as an accessory use. (Ord. 4011, passed - -2007; Am. Ord. 4098, passed - -2010)

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 that have accumulated or are deposited outside the containers, bins, or enclosures intended as receptacles for these materials. Upon the failure to remove these 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 clean up work done by the County. (Ord. 4011, passed - -2007)

The standards in this Section shall apply to small collection facilities.

(a) Accessory Use. A small collection facility shall be established as an accessory use to a primary commercial, industrial, or institutional use that is in compliance with this Development Code, the California Building Code, and the Uniform Fire Code.

(b) Maximum floor space. A small collection facility shall not occupy more than 500 square feet of floor space.

• (c) Containers.

(1) Containers shall be constructed and maintained with durable, waterproof, and rustproof material and shall be covered.

• (2) Containers shall be clearly marked to identify the:

• (A) Type(s) of recyclable(s) that may be deposited.

• (B) Name and telephone number of the facility operator.

(d) Daily Cleaning and Maintenance. The site shall be swept and maintained in a dust-free, litter-free condition on a daily basis.

(e) Setback. The small collection facility shall be set back at least ten feet from any street right-of-way and shall not obstruct pedestrian or vehicular circulation.

(f) Landscaping. The small collection facility shall not impair the landscaping required by this Development Code for a concurrent use nor conflict with a permit issued in compliance with this Development Code.

(g) Noise. Noise level shall not at any time exceed 65 dB(A) as measured at the property line of residentially zoned or occupied property; and shall not exceed 70 dB(A) at any point.

(h) Prohibited Equipment. Small collection facilities shall not include power-driven sorting and/or consolidation equipment (e.g., crushers, bailers, etc.) except reverse vending machines.

(i) Signs. In addition to the signs and certificates issued by the Department of Conservation and Division of Recycling, which shall be displayed by the operator/processor, and the informational signs required by this Chapter, signs may be provided as follows:

(1) An unattended container not over 50 cubic feet in bulk and not over nine feet in height may have a maximum sign area of four 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 up to a maximum of 16 square feet.

(l) Prohibited Materials. Use of the small collection facility for collection of solid wastes or hazardous wastes (as defined under “Hazardous Waste” in Division 10) shall be prohibited.

(m) Removal after Permit Expiration. If the Special Use Permit expires without renewal, the small collection facility shall be removed from the site on the day following permit expiration.

(n) Location and Hours of Operation. Attended facilities located within 100 feet of a property zoned or occupied for residential use shall 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.

(o) Applicable Development Standards. The small collection facility shall conform to the development standards for the land use zoning district in which it is located.

(p) Parking.

(1) Occupation of parking spaces by the small collection facility and by the attendant shall not reduce available parking spaces below the minimum number required for the primary host use in Chapter 83.11 (Parking and Loading Standards) unless all of 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 in compliance with the California Beverage Container Recycling and Litter Reduction Act (Public Resources Code §§ 14500 et seq. )

(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.

(C) The Special Use Permit shall be reconsidered at the end of 12 months. Parking credits in an established parking facility may then be granted as follows:

(2) 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.

(Ord. 4011, passed - -2007)

The standards in this Section shall apply to large collection facilities.

• (a) Size and Location. A large collection facility:

• (1) Shall be larger than 500 square feet or shall be located on a separate property not related to a host use; and

• (2) May have a permanent structure.

(b) Setback from Residential Use. A large collection facility shall be located at least 150 feet from the property line of any residential use or land use zoning district that allows residential land uses.

(c) Screening. A large collection 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 six feet in height with landscaping.

(d) Setbacks and Landscaping Requirements. Setbacks and landscape requirements shall be those provided for the land use zoning district in which the facility is located.

(e) Outdoor Storage. Exterior storage of material shall be in sturdy containers that 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 non-flammable material. Oil storage shall be in containers approved by the County Fire Department. No storage, excluding truck trailers and overseas containers, shall be visible above the height of the fencing, screening, or landscaping.

(f) Daily Cleaning and Maintenance. 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.

• (g) Parking.

(1) Space shall be provided on site for six vehicles or the anticipated peak customer load, whichever is higher, to circulate and to deposit recyclable materials, except where the review authority determines that allowing overflow traffic above six vehicles is compatible with surrounding businesses and public safety.

(2) One parking space shall be provided for each commercial vehicle operated by the recycling facility. Parking requirements for customers shall be as provided for in the land use zoning district in which the facility is located,

except that parking requirements for employees may be reduced when it can be shown that parking spaces are not necessary such as when employees are transported in a company vehicle to a work facility.

(h) Noise. Noise levels shall not exceed 65 dB(A) as measured at the property line of residentially zoned or occupied property, and shall not exceed 70 dB(A) at any point.

(i) Hours of Operation. 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.

(j) Containers for After-hours Donations. Containers or enclosures provided for after-hours donation of recyclable materials shall be:

• (1) Located at least 50 feet from any property zoned, planned, or occupied for residential use.

• (2) Constructed of sturdy, rustproof material.

• (3) Of sufficient capacity to accommodate materials collected.

• (4) Secured from unauthorized entry or removal of materials.

(k) Donation Areas. 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. A large collection facility shall display a notice stating that no material shall be left outside the recycling containers.

(l) Signs. A large collection 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 land use zoning district in which the facility is located. Directional signs may be installed with the approval of the Director, if necessary, to facilitate traffic circulation or if the facility is not visible from the public right-of-way.

(m) Power-Driven Processing. Power-driven processing (e.g., aluminum foil and can compacting, baling, plastic shredding, light processing activities necessary for efficient temporary storage and shipment of material, etc.) may be approved at the discretion of the Commission if noise restrictions and other conditions are met. (Ord. 4011, passed - -2007)

• (a) Maximum Size. A light processing facility shall be no larger than 45,000 square feet.

(b) Truck Traffic. No more than an average of two outbound truck shipments of material per day shall be allowed.

(c) Allowed Materials. A light processing facility may not shred, compact, or bale ferrous metals other than food and beverage containers.

(d) Compliance with Other Standards. A light processing facility shall comply with the standards in § 84.19.090 (Heavy Processing Facilities).

(Ord. 4011, passed - -2007; Am. Ord. 4043, passed - -2008)

The standards in this Section shall apply to heavy recyclable materials processing facilities.

(a) Setback from Residential Use. A processing facility shall be located at least 150 feet from property planned, 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 masonry fence at least six feet in height.

(b) Setbacks and Landscaping. Setbacks from property lines shall be those provided for the land use zoning 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 ten feet wide along each property line.

(c) Hours of Operation. If the processing facility is located within 500 feet of property zoned, planned, or occupied for residential use, it shall not operate between 7:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m.

(d) On-Site Personnel. On-site personnel shall administer the processing facility during the hours the facility is open.

(e) Noise. Noise level shall not exceed 65 dB(A), as measured at the property line of an existing residence or land use zoning district allowing residential land uses, and shall not exceed 70 dB(A) at any point.

(f) Signs. Sign criteria shall be those specified in Chapter 83.13 (Sign Regulations). In addition, the facility shall be clearly marked with the name and phone number of the facility operator and the hours of operation.

(g) Containers for After-Hours Donations. Containers or enclosures provided for after-hours donation of recyclable materials shall be:

• (1) Located at least 50 feet from any property zoned, planned, or occupied for residential use.

• (2) Constructed of sturdy, rustproof material.

• (3) Of sufficient capacity to accommodate materials collected.

• (4) Secured from unauthorized entry or removal of materials.

(h) Donation Areas. 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. A processing facility shall display a notice stating that no material shall be left outside the recycling containers.

(i) Dust. No dust, fumes, odor, smoke, or vibration above ambient level shall be detectable on neighboring properties.

(j) Power-Driven Processing. Power-driven processing shall be allowed, provided noise level requirements are met. Light processing facilities shall be limited to baling, briquetting, crushing, compacting, grinding, shredding and sorting of source-separated recyclable materials, and repairing of reusable materials.

(k) Used Motor Oil. A processing facility may accept used motor oil for recycling from the generator in compliance with Health and Safety Code § 25250.11 (Management of Used Oil).

(l) Outdoor Storage. Exterior storage of material shall be in sturdy containers or enclosures that 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 non-flammable material. Oil storage shall be in containers approved by the Chief of the County Fire Department. No storage, excluding truck trailers and overseas containers, shall be visible above the height of the fencing, screening or landscaping.

(m) Daily Cleaning and Maintenance. The site shall be maintained free of litter and any other undesirable materials and shall be cleaned of loose debris on a daily basis.

(n) Site security. The site shall be secured from unauthorized entry and removal of materials when attendants are not present.

(o) Parking.

(1) Space shall be provided on-site for the anticipated peak load of customers to circulate, park and deposit recyclable materials. A minimum of six parking spaces or on-site drive-through stacking capacity for ten vehicles shall be provided.

(2) One parking space shall be provided for each commercial vehicle operated by the processing center. Parking requirements shall otherwise be as mandated by the land use zoning district in which the facility is located. (Ord. 4011, passed - -2007)