Chapter 18.60
REGULATION OF RECYCLING FACILITIES
Sections:
18.60.030 Required permits for recycling facilities
18.60.040 Criteria and standards for recycling facilities
18.60.010 Intent and Purpose
A. The City Council finds that the redemption and recycling of reusable materials should be convenient to the consumer in order to reduce litter and the amount of solid waste, and to promote the conservation of recyclable materials within the City.
B. The intent of this chapter is to encourage the provision of recycling services by adopting a comprehensive program for the permitting and regulating of such land uses.
C. The purpose of this chapter is to establish design guidelines and operating standards and procedures for the permitting of recycling facilities in order to implement the California Beverage Container Recycling and Litter Reduction Act, and to protect the surrounding properties from impacts related to the operation of such recycling facilities.
18.60.020 Definitions
For the purpose of this chapter the following definitions shall apply:
A. “Certified recycling facility or certified processor” means a recycling facility certified by the California Department of Conservation as meeting the requirements of the California Beverage Container Recycling and Litter Reduction Act.
B. “Collection facility” is a center for the acceptance by donation, redemption, or purchase of recyclable materials from the public. Such facility does not include the use of power driven processing equipment except as indicated in Section 18.60.040 of this chapter. Collection facilities may include the following:
1. Reverse vending machines.
2. Small collection facilities shall occupy an area of not more than five hundred (500) square feet and may include:
a. Bulk reverse vending machines or a group of reverse vending machines.
b. Kiosk type units that may include permanent structures.
c. Unattended containers placed for the donation of recyclable materials.
3. Large collection facilities shall occupy an area of not less than five hundred (500) square feet, but not more than 12,500 square feet and are located on a separate property appurtenant to a host use, and which will have permanent structures.
C. “Convenience zone” means any geographic area within one-half mile radius of a supermarket designated by the California Department of Conservation requiring the presence of one or more recycling facilities, mobile recycling units, or reverse vending machines pursuant to the California Beverage Container Recycling and Litter Reduction Act.
D. “Supermarket” is a full-service, self-service retail store with gross annual sales of 2,000,000 dollars or more, and which sells a line of dry grocery, canned goods, or non-food items and some perishable items.
E. “Recyclable material” means reusable material including but not limited to metals, glass, plastic containers and paper, which are intended for reconstitution. Recyclable material does not include refuse or hazardous materials.
F. “Reverse vending machine” means 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.
18.60.030 Required permits for recycling facilities
Collection facilities may be located and operated in commercial and industrial zoning districts in conformance with the applicable development criteria and standards as set forth in Section 18.60.040, as follows:
A. Reverse vending machines located within a building do not require review or approval. Reverse vending machines used in conjunction with a commercial use may be located outside a building in the “C-2”, “C-3”, and “M-1” zones with the approval of the Director of Community Development.
B. Small collection facilities may be permitted in the “C-2”, “C-3”, and “M-1” zones with Planning Commission approval of a conditional use permit.
C. Large collection facilities may be permitted in the “M-1” zone with Planning Commission approval of a conditional use permit.
D. Light and heavy processing facilities shall not be permitted in the City of Norco.
18.60.040 Criteria and standards for recycling facilities
A. Reverse Vending Machines. Reverse vending machines permitted with approval of the Director of Community Development shall meet all applicable criteria and standards indicated in this section. Collection facilities permitted with development requiring a conditional use permit shall meet the appropriate criteria and standards. The Planning Commission may exercise discretion upon a finding that such modifications are reasonable and necessary in order to implement the general intent and purpose of this chapter. The criteria and standards for reverse vending machines area as follows:
1. A maximum of three machines may be established in conjunction with a primary business that is in compliance with all zoning requirements and applicable codes of the City;
2. The machine(s) shall be located within thirty (30) feet of the entrance to the primary building and shall not obstruct pedestrian or vehicular traffic circulation;
3. The machine(s) shall not occupy any parking spaces required by the primary business;
4. The machine(s) shall occupy no more than five hundred (500) square feet of floor area per installation, including any protective enclosure, and shall be no more than a total of eight (8) feet in height;
5. Each machine shall be constructed and maintained with durable waterproof and rustproof materials;
6. Each machine 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 machine is inoperative;
7. The maximum sign area shall be four (4) square feet per machine, exclusive of operating instructions, with all signs being attached to the vending machine;
A. Small Collection Facilities. A small collection facility shall be established in conjunction with an existing commercial use located on a minimum one-acre site, being operated in compliance with all zoning requirements and municipal codes. The criteria and standards for a small collection facility shall be as follows:
1. The small collection facility shall be no larger than five hundred (500) square feet. If the small collection facility is proposed to occupy parking spaces within the commercial project, no more than five (5) parking spaces shall be used, not including spaces that will be periodically needed for the removal of materials or exchange of containers. The use of parking spaces by the facility and by the attendant may not reduce available parking space below the minimum number required for the commercial uses on the site, nor shall the facility impair any required landscaped areas;
2. The facility shall be setback a minimum of fifty (50) feet from any street right-of-way and a minimum of fifty (50) feet from any residentially zoned land or structure, and shall not obstruct pedestrian or vehicular traffic circulation on the commercial site;
3. Small collection facilities that are operated by an on-site attendant and/or located within one hundred (100) feet of a property zoned or occupied for residential use shall operate only during the hours of eight a.m. to seven p.m.;
4. Each facility shall be screened from public right-of-way by being located:
a. Within a completely enclosed building.
b. On a portion of the site for the primary commercial use that is not in view from any public right-of-way.
c. Within an area screened along the side and rear by decorative masonry walls at least six (6) feet in height and with a landscaped planter having an interior width dimension of at least three (3) feet.
5. The collection of materials shall be limited to glass, plastic containers, papers, and ferrous and nonferrous metal containers. With the exception for reverse vending machines, there shall be no power-driven processing equipment used at the facility, such as crushers or bailers.
6. The facility shall be provided with containers that are constructed and maintained with durable waterproof and rustproof materials, covered when the site is not attended, secured from unauthorized entry or removal of material, and are of a capacity to adequately accommodate the materials collected and the collection schedule.
7. All recyclable materials shall be stored in containers not to exceed fifteen (15) cubic yards and shall not be left outside of containers when the attendant is not present. The facility shall be maintained in a clean, safe and sanitary condition and kept free of litter, loose debris and pests on a daily basis.
8. Noise levels generated by the facility shall not exceed forty-five (45) dBA as measured at the property line of a residentially zoned or occupied property; otherwise noise levels shall not exceed sixty (60) dBA.
9. Signs may be provided as follows:
a. Containers shall be clearly marked to identify the type of material that may be deposited, the name and telephone number of the facility operator, and the hours of operation.
b. A notice shall be posted indicating that no material shall be left outside the recycling enclosure or containers.
c. Identification signs are permitted having a maximum sign area of twenty (20) square feet. The color and design of the identification signs must be consistent with the character of the commercial center it is located within.
d. Directional signs, bearing no advertisement message, may be installed with the approval of the Director of Community Development if necessary and desirable to facilitate traffic circulation or if the facility is not visible from the public right-of-way.
10. The operator shall provide a quarterly report to the City Engineer/Director of Public Works identifying the type and amount of materials recycled by the facility during the quarter. This report will assist the City in determining the amount of solid waste diverted from its waste stream.
11. The placement and operation of the small collection facility shall be approved for a maximum one-year period in conjunction with the issuance of a business license. Prior to renewal of the business license in the following year, the Planning Commission will review the approved facility to determine if the operation is in compliance with all conditions of approval of the conditional use permit. Renewal of the business license shall be at the discretion of the Planning Commission. If the permit expires without renewal, the collection facility shall be removed from the site within seven (7) days following permit expiration and the operator shall restore the site to its condition prior to the placement of the facility.
C. Large Collection Facilities. Large collection facilities are operations that occupy an area of not less than five hundred (500) square feet but not more than 12,500 square feet, and are located on a separate property appurtenant to a primary use, and will have permanent structures. Large collection facilities are permitted in “M-1” zoned property, subject to a conditional use permit, and the following standards:
1. Large collection facilities shall be located a minimum of one hundred fifty (150) feet from any property zoned or planned for residential use. If the facility is located within five hundred (500) feet of residential property, it shall not be operated prior to the hours of eight a.m. and after the hour of seven p.m.;
2. The facility shall be screened from the public right-of-way, within an enclosed structure;
3. Structure setbacks and landscape requirements shall be those provided for in the “M-1” zone and any other development criteria imposed at the discretion of the Planning Commission to mitigate potential concerns;
4. All exterior storage of material shall be in sturdy containers that are covered, secured and maintained in good condition. Storage containers for combustible material (i.e., newspaper and plastic) shall be constructed of non-non-flammable material. No storage, excluding truck trailers and enclosed storage containers, will be visible above the height of the masonry wall enclosure;
5. Any containers providing for after-hours donation of recyclable materials shall be constructed and maintained with durable waterproof and rustproof materials, and have capacity sufficient to accommodate the materials collected, and shall be secure from unauthorized entry or removal of materials. Donation areas will be kept free of litter and any undesirable material, and the containers must be clearly marked to identify the type of material that may be deposited. The facility shall display a notice stating that no material shall be left outside the recycling containers;
6. The site shall be maintained free of litter and any other materials that cannot be recycled, and must be cleaned of loose debris on a daily basis;
7. 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 Planning Commission determines that allowing overflow traffic is compatible with surrounding businesses and provided for public safety;
8. One on-site parking space shall be provided for each employee and each commercial vehicle operated by the recycling facility. The parking requirements for employees may be reduced by the Planning Commission when it can be determined that employees are transported to the facility in a company vehicle;
9. Signs for the facility shall conform with the sign requirements set forth in Chapter 18.37 of the Norco Municipal Code and include the name and phone number of the facility operator and hours of operation;
10. The large collection facility shall be limited to the collection of 60 cubic yards or 15 tons per operating day. If the operation does not weigh the material received, then the tonnage shall be determined by using a volumetric conversion factor where one cubic yard is equal to 500 pounds.
11. Power-driven processing is not allowed, unless it is shown that adverse impacts are insignificant or can be mitigated to a level of insignificance.
12. The operator shall provide a quarterly report to the Director of Public Works identifying the type and amount of materials recycled by the facility during the quarter, which will assist the City in determining the amount of solid waste diverted from its waste stream.