Chapter 4

Division 4. Trash and
Recycling Areas*

*Editor’s Note: Prior ordinances codified herein include portions of Ordinance Nos. 79-479 and 84-705.

9164.1 Purpose, Definitions and Applicability.

A. The purpose of this Division 4 is to establish reasonable standards to ensure that adequate and convenient areas for collecting and loading of trash and recyclable materials are provided for development projects.

B. For the purposes of this Division 4, the following terms shall be defined as follows:

1. “Development Project” shall mean any of the following:

a. A project for which a building permit is required for a commercial, industrial, or institutional building, or residential building having five (5) or more living units, where solid waste is collected and loaded and any residential project where solid waste is collected and loaded in a location serving five (5) or more living units.

b. Any new public facility where solid waste is collected and loaded and any improvements for areas of a public facility used for collecting and loading solid waste.

2. “Recycling Area (Areas for Recycling)” shall mean space allocated for collecting and loading of recyclable materials. Such areas shall have the ability to accommodate receptacles for recycling materials. Recycling areas shall be accessible and convenient for those who deposit as well as those who collect and load any recyclable materials placed therein.

C. Subject to provisions set forth in this Division 4, single-family residential development is exempt from CMC 9164.2 (Residential Trash Areas) and 9164.4 (Collection and Loading of Recycling Materials), and residential multiple-family development (four (4) or less units), is exempt from CMC 9164.4 (Collection and Loading of Recyclable Materials). (Ord. 93-1013, § 5)

9164.2 Residential Trash Areas.

For each lot developed with multiple dwellings or group quarters, trash and garbage collection and storage areas shall be provided to secure the residential uses as set forth in this Section.

A. Location. All trash areas shall be located and arranged both for convenience to residents and for convenient vehicular access and pick-up and shall not interfere with other pedestrian or vehicular traffic.

B. Enclosure. Trash areas shall be either enclosed within a building or be bounded on three (3) sides by walls, six (6) feet in height, of material compatible in color, texture and appearance with the main structure and having a gated opening of sufficient width to permit the removal and replacement of standard size commercial trash bins. The gate of said enclosure shall be self-closing and constructed of solid, opaque material. Trash bins shall remain in the enclosure, except during trash pick-up. All trash areas shall include a four (4) inch concrete pad.

C. Number and Size.

1. For residential facilities of one (1) to three (3) units: No specific number or size requirement.

2. For residential facilities of four (4) to twelve (12) units, trash areas shall be provided as follows:

a. If individual trash areas are provided, the individual trash areas shall be at least three (3) feet by four (4) feet for each unit, and there shall be one (1) additional area of at least three (3) feet by four (4) feet.

b. If a common trash area is provided, the common trash area shall be at least four and one-half (4-1/2) by six (6) feet with not less than five (5) square feet of additional space for each unit over four (4).

3. For residential facilities of more than twelve (12) units, trash areas shall be provided as follows:

b. If a common trash area is provided, the common trash area shall be at least four and one-half (4-1/2) feet by fifteen (15) feet with an additional five (5) square feet of trash area for each unit over thirteen (13). (Ord. 93-1013, § 5)

9164.3 Nonresidential Trash Areas.

For each lot developed with a nonresidential use, adequate trash and garbage collection and storage areas shall be provided to accommodate all accumulation of refuse on the premises, subject to the following minimum requirements.

A. Location. All trash areas shall be located and arranged both for convenient vehicular access and pick-up and shall not interfere with other pedestrian and vehicular traffic.

B. Enclosures. Trash areas shall be either enclosed within a building or be bounded on three (3) sides by walls, six (6) feet in height, of materials compatible in color, texture and appearance with the main structure and having a gated opening of sufficient width to permit the removal and replacement of standard size commercial trash bins. The gate of said enclosure shall be self-closing and constructed of solid opaque material. Trash bins shall remain in the enclosure, except during trash pick-up. All trash areas shall include a four (4) inch concrete pad. Trash enclosure requirements for an industrial use may be waived if, in the opinion of the Director, such facilities are not within public view and are consistent with existing and anticipated development.

C. Number and Size. There shall be at least one (1) outdoor trash storage area. Each trash storage area shall be at least four and one-half (4-1/2) feet by six (6) feet. (Ord. 93-1013, § 5)

9164.4 Collection and Loading of Recyclable Materials.

A. General Requirements.

1. Any new development project for which an application for a building permit is submitted (on or after September 1, 1993) and any improvements for areas of a public facility used for collecting and loading solid waste shall provide adequate, accessible and convenient areas for collecting and loading recyclable materials.

2. Any existing development project for which an application for a building permit is submitted (on or after September 1, 1993) for a single alteration subsequently performed that adds thirty (30) percent or more square footage to the existing floor area of the development project shall provide adequate, accessible, and convenient areas for collection and loading recyclable materials.

3. Any existing development project for which multiple applications for building permits are submitted within a twelve (12) month period (beginning on or after September 1, 1993) for multiple alterations which are subsequently performed that collectively add thirty (30) percent or more square footage to the existing floor area of the development project shall provide adequate accessible and convenient areas for collecting and loading recyclable materials.

4. Any existing development project occupied by multiple tenants, one (1) of which submits (on or after September 1, 1993) an application for a building permit shall comply with the following requirements:

a. For a single alteration which is subsequently performed that adds thirty (30) percent or more square footage to the existing floor area of that portion of the development project which said tenant leases shall provide adequate, accessible and convenient areas for collecting and loading recyclable materials. Such recycling areas shall, at a minimum, be sufficient in capacity and number of distribution to serve that portion of the development project which said tenant leases.

b. For multiple alterations which are conducted within a twelve (12) month period which collectively adds thirty (30) percent or more square footage to the existing floor area of that portion of the development project which said tenant leases shall provide adequate, accessible and convenient areas for collecting and loading recyclable materials. Such recycling areas shall, at a minimum, be sufficient in capacity, number and distribution to serve that portion of the development project which said tenant leases.

5. Any existing development project occupied by multiple tenants and space, which submits within a twelve (12) month period (beginning on or after September 1, 1993) multiple applications for building permits for multiple alterations which are subsequently performed that collectively add thirty (30) percent or more square footage to the existing floor area of that portion of the development project which said tenant leases shall provide adequate, accessible and convenient areas for collecting and loading recyclable materials. Such recycling areas shall at a minimum be sufficient in capacity, number and distribution to serve that portion of the development project which said tenant leases.

6. Any costs associated with adding recycling space to existing development projects shall be the responsibility of the party or parties who are responsible for financing the alterations.

B. Location.

1. All recycling areas shall be located and arranged both for convenient vehicular access and pick-up and shall not interfere with other pedestrian and vehicular traffic patterns.

2. Recycling areas shall not be located in any area required by this Chapter to be constructed or maintained as unencumbered, according to fire and other applicable building and/or public safety laws.

3. Any recycling area(s) shall be located so they are at least as convenient as the location(s) where solid waste is collected and loaded. Whenever feasible, areas for collecting and loading recyclable materials should be adjacent to or incorporated within the trash collection areas.

4. Each recycling area within a multi-family residential development shall be no greater than two hundred fifty (250) feet from each living unit.

C. Enclosures. Recycling areas shall be either enclosed within a building or be bounded on three (3) sides by walls, six (6) feet in height, of materials compatible in color, texture and appearance with the main structure and having a gated opening of sufficient width to permit the removal and replacement of standard size commercial recycling bins. The gate of said enclosure shall be self-closing and constructed of solid opaque material. Bins shall remain in the enclosure except during trash pick-up. All recycling areas shall include a four (4) inch concrete pad. Recycling enclosure requirements for an industrial use may be waived if, in the opinion of the Director, such facilities are not within public view and are consistent with existing and anticipated development in the area.

D. Number and Size. There shall be at least one (1) outdoor recycling storage facility. Recycling enclosures shall be adequate in capacity, number, distribution and size to serve the development and its recycling needs. An adequate number of bins or containers to allow for the collection and loading of recyclable materials generated by the development should be located within the recycling areas of development projects. Dimensions of the recycling areas shall accommodate containers consistent with current methods of collection in the area in which the project is to be located. (Ord. 93-1013, § 5)

9164.5 Design Standards for Trash and Recycling Areas.

A. The following standards shall be mandatory in connection with the design and construction of trash and/or recycling areas.

1. All trash and recycling areas shall include a four (4) inch concrete pad.

2. The design and construction of trash and recycling areas shall be compatible with surrounding land uses. Materials of walls shall be compatible in color, texture and appearance with the main structure.

3. Recycling areas shall be secured to prevent the theft of recyclable materials by unauthorized persons, while allowing authorized persons access for disposal of materials.

4. Recycling areas or the bins or containers placed therein must provide protection against adverse environmental conditions which might render the collected materials unmarketable.

5. Driveways or travel aisles shall provide unobstructed access for collection vehicles and personnel and provide at least the minimum clearance required by the collection methods and vehicles utilized by the hauler in the area in which the development project exists.

6. A sign clearly identifying all recycling and solid waste collection and loading areas and the materials accepted therein shall be posted adjacent to all points of access to the recycling areas.

7. The property owner is responsible for arranging the pick up of recyclable materials. Recyclable material shall not be allowed to accumulate such that a visual or public health or safety nuisance is created.

8. Trash and recycling enclosures may not be located in any required parking, landscape or setback area.

9. Trash and recycling enclosures may not be located in alleyways or other City owned right-of-way, where they may disrupt circulation patterns.

B. The following standards shall, to the extent feasible, apply to the design and construction of trash and/or recycling areas:

1. Residential developers and property owners are encouraged to include recycling areas or systems within the residence; such as roll-out drawers below the sink for recycling receptacles; fire-proof, cleanable, secure chutes from the living space to the space for collecting and loading recyclable materials, etc. Recommended internal storage space for individual living units or residential development projects is three (3) cubic feet.