Chapter 6.14
CONSTRUCTION AND DEMOLITION DEBRIS RECYCLING PROGRAM
Sections:
6.14.102 Threshold for covered projects.
6.14.103 Submission of waste management plan.
6.14.104 Review of waste management plan.
6.14.105 Compliance with waste management plan.
6.14.106 Infeasible exemption.
6.14.101 Definitions.
A. “Applicant” means any individual, firm, limited liability company, association, partnership, political subdivision, government agency, municipality, industry, public or private corporation, or any other entity whatsoever who applies to the city for the applicable permits to undertake any construction, demolition, or renovation project within the city, unless otherwise specifically exempted by law.
B. “Compliance official” means the public works director or his/her designee.
C. “Construction” means the building of any structure or any portion thereof including any tenant improvements to an existing facility or structure.
D. “Construction and demolition debris” means used or discarded materials removed from premises during construction or renovation of a structure resulting from construction, remodeling, repair, or demolition operations on any pavement, house, commercial building, or other structure.
E. “Conversion rate” means the rate set forth in the standardized conversion rate table approved by the city pursuant to this chapter for use in estimating the volume or weight of materials identified in a waste management plan (WMP).
F. “Covered project” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 6.14.102(A).
G. “Deconstruction” means the systematic removal of usage items from a structure.
H. “Demolition” means the decimating, razing, ruining, tearing down or wrecking of any facility, structure, pavement or building, whether in whole or in part, whether interior or exterior.
I. “Divert” means to use material for any purpose other than disposal in a landfill.
J. “Diversion requirement” means adherence to the most current diversion rate in accordance with the most updated state requirements by weight of the total construction and demolition debris generated by a project via reuse or recycling, unless the applicant has been granted an infeasible exemption pursuant to Section 6.14.106, in which case the diversion requirement shall be the maximum feasible diversion rate established by the solid waste manager for the project.
K. “Noncovered project” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 6.14.102(C).
L. “Project” means any activity which requires an application for a building or demolition permit or any similar permit from the city.
M. “Renovation” means any change, addition, or modification in an existing structure.
N. “Reuse” means further or repeated use of construction or demolition debris.
O. “Salvage” means the controlled removal of construction or demolition debris from a permitted building or demolition site for the purpose of recycling, reuse or storage for later recycling or reuse.
P. “Waste management plan (WMP)” means a completed waste management plan (WMP) form, approved by the city for the purpose of compliance with this chapter, submitted by the applicant for any covered or noncovered project. (Ord. 818 (part), 2019: Ord. 775 § 1 (part), 2015).
6.14.102 Threshold for covered projects.
A. Covered Projects. All construction and renovation projects within the city, which meet the California Green Building Standard requirements, shall comply with this chapter. The cost of the project shall be the valuation ascribed to the project by the building official. In addition, all demolition projects having a total footage of more than one thousand square feet shall be a covered project. Failure to comply with any of the terms of this chapter shall subject the project applicant to the full range of enforcement mechanisms set forth in Sections 6.14.105(C)(3) and 6.14.108.
B. City-Sponsored Projects. All city-sponsored construction and renovation projects within the city, the costs of which are, or are projected to be, greater than or equal to one hundred thousand dollars (“covered projects”), shall comply with this chapter. The cost of the project shall be the valuation attributed to the permit issued by the building department. In addition, all demolition projects having a total square footage of more than one thousand square feet shall be a covered project. These city-sponsored covered projects shall submit a waste management plan to the solid waste manager prior to beginning any construction or demolition activities and shall be subject to all applicable provisions of this chapter with the exception of Section 6.14.105(C)(3).
C. Noncovered Projects. Applicants for construction, demolition, and renovation projects within the city whose permit valuations meet the California Green Building Standard requirements (“noncovered projects”) shall be encouraged to divert at least the minimum required percentage set out by the California Green Building Code.
D. Compliance as a Condition of Approval. Compliance with the provisions of this chapter shall be listed as a condition of approval on any building or demolition permit issued for a covered project. (Ord. 818 (part), 2019: Ord. 775 § 1 (part), 2015).
6.14.103 Submission of waste management plan.
A. Waste Management Plan Forms. Applicants for building or demolition permits involving any covered project shall complete and submit a waste management plan on a WMP form approved by the city for this purpose as part of the application packet for the building or demolition permit. The completed WMP shall indicate all of the following:
1. The estimated volume or weight of project construction and demolition debris, by materials type, to be generated;
2. The maximum volume or weight of such materials that can feasibly be diverted via reuse or recycling;
3. The vendor or facility that the applicant proposes to use to collect or receive that material; and
4. The estimated volume or weight of construction and demolition debris that will be landfilled.
B. Calculating Volume and Weight of Debris. In estimating the volume or weight of materials identified in the WMP, the applicant shall use the standardized conversion rates approved by the city for this purpose.
C. Deconstruction. In preparing the WMP, applicants for building or demolition permits involving the removal of all or part of an existing structure shall deconstruct, to the maximum extent feasible, and shall make the materials generated thereby available for salvage. (Ord. 818 (part), 2019: Ord. 775 § 1 (part), 2015).
6.14.104 Review of waste management plan.
A. Approval. Notwithstanding any other provision of this code, no building or demolition permit shall be issued for any covered project unless and until the solid waste manager has approved the WMP. Approval shall not be required, however, where an emergency demolition is required to protect the public health, welfare or safety as determined by the chief building official. The solid waste manager shall only approve a WMP if he or she first determines that both of the following conditions have been met:
1. The WMP provides all of the information set forth in Section 6.14.103(A); and
2. The WMP indicates that at least fifty percent by weight of all construction and demolition debris generated by the project will be diverted.
If the solid waste manager determines that these conditions have been met, he or she shall mark the WMP “Approved,” return a copy of the WMP to the applicant, and notify the building department that the WMP has been approved.
B. Nonapproval. If the solid waste manager determines that the WMP is incomplete or fails to indicate that at least fifty percent by weight of all construction and demolition debris generated by the project will be reused or recycled, he or she shall either:
1. Return the WMP to the applicant marked “Denied,” including a statement of reasons, and so notify the building department; or
2. Return the WMP to the applicant marked “Further Explanation Required.” (Ord. 818 (part), 2019: Ord. 775 § 1 (part), 2015).
6.14.105 Compliance with waste management plan.
A. Documentation. Prior to receiving a certificate of occupancy for the project, the applicant shall submit to the solid waste manager documentation that the diversion requirement for the project has been met. The diversion requirement shall be that the applicant has diverted the percentage of the total construction and demolition debris generated by the project via reuse or recycling that has been specified and required by the state of California, unless the applicant has been granted an infeasible exemption pursuant to Section 6.14.106, in which case the diversion requirement shall be the maximum feasible diversion rate established by the solid waste manager for the project. This documentation shall include all of the following:
1. Receipts from the vendor or facility which collected or received each material showing the actual weight or volume of that material;
2. A copy of the previously approved WMP for the project adding the actual volume or weight of each material diverted and landfilled;
3. Any additional information the applicant believes is relevant to determining its efforts to comply in good faith with this chapter.
B. Weighing of Wastes. Applicants shall make reasonable efforts to ensure that all construction and demolition debris diverted or landfilled is measured and recorded using the most accurate method of measurement available. To the extent practical, all construction and demolition debris shall be weighed by measurement on scales. Such scales shall be in compliance with all regulatory requirements for accuracy and maintenance. For construction and demolition debris for which weighing is not practical due to small size or other considerations, a volumetric measurement shall be used. For conversion of volumetric measurements to weight, the applicant shall use the standardized conversion rates approved by the city for this purpose.
C. Determination of Compliance. The solid waste manager shall review the information submitted under subsection A of this section and determine whether the applicant has complied with the diversion requirement, as follows:
1. Full Compliance. If the solid waste manager determines that the applicant has fully complied with the diversion requirements applicable to the project, he or she shall approve the WMP and inform the building division that a certificate of occupancy can be issued.
2. Substantial Compliance. If the solid waste manager determines that the diversion requirement has not been achieved, he or she shall determine on a case-by-case basis whether the applicant has made a good faith effort and is in substantial compliance with this chapter. In making this determination, the solid waste manager shall consider the availability of markets for the construction and demolition debris landfilled, the size of the project, and the documented efforts of the applicant to divert construction and demolition debris. If the solid waste manager determines that the applicant has made a good faith effort to comply with this chapter and is in substantial compliance, he or she shall approve the WMP and inform the building division that a certificate of occupancy can be issued.
3. Noncompliance. If the solid waste manager determines that the applicant is not in substantial compliance with this chapter, or if the applicant fails to submit the documentation required by subsection A of this section, then the applicant shall pay a civil penalty as prescribed in Section 6.14.108.
D. Falsification of Records. If the applicant deliberately provides false or misleading data to the city in violation of this chapter, the applicant may be subject to penalties in addition to those specified in Section 6.14.108. In any civil enforcement action, administrative or judicial, the city shall be entitled to recover its attorneys’ fees and costs from an applicant who is determined by a court of competent jurisdiction to have violated this chapter.
E. Final Approval. All conditions of this chapter shall be met prior to final approval by the building division. (Ord. 818 (part), 2019: Ord. 775 § 1 (part), 2015).
6.14.106 Infeasible exemption.
A. Application. If an applicant for a covered project experiences unique circumstances that the applicant believes make it infeasible to comply with the diversion requirement, the applicant may apply for an exemption at the time that he or she submits the WMP required under Section 6.14.103(A). The applicant shall indicate on the WMP the maximum rate of diversion he or she believes is feasible for each material and the specific circumstances that he or she believes make it infeasible to comply with the diversion requirement.
B. Meeting with Solid Waste Manager. The solid waste manager shall review the information supplied by the applicant and may meet with the applicant to discuss possible ways of meeting the diversion requirement. The solid waste manager may request that staff from the Stanislaus County regional solid waste planning agency or designee attend this meeting or may require the applicant to request a separate meeting with Stanislaus County regional solid waste planning agency staff. Based on the information supplied by the applicant and, if applicable, Stanislaus County regional solid waste planning agency staff or designee, the solid waste manager shall determine whether it is possible for the applicant to meet the diversion requirement.
C. Granting of Exemption. If the solid waste manager determines that it is infeasible for the applicant to meet the diversion requirement due to unique circumstances, he or she shall determine the maximum feasible diversion rate for each material and shall indicate this rate on the WMP submitted by the applicant. The solid waste manager shall return a copy of the WMP to the applicant marked “Approved for Infeasible Exemption” and shall notify the building division that the WMP has been approved.
D. Denial of Exemption. If the solid waste manager determines that it is possible for the applicant to meet the diversion requirement, he or she shall so inform the applicant in writing. The applicant shall have thirty days to resubmit a WMP form in full compliance with Section 6.14.103(A). If the applicant fails to resubmit the WMP, or if the resubmitted WMP does not comply with Section 6.14.103(A), the solid waste manager shall deny the WMP in accordance with Section 6.14.104(B). (Ord. 818 (part), 2019: Ord. 775 § 1 (part), 2015).
6.14.107 Appeals.
A. Contents of Appeals. An appeal of the solid waste manager’s decision may be made to the city manager in writing not longer than ten days after the solid waste manager’s decision. The decision of the city manager shall be final. The appellant must specifically state in the notice of appeal:
1. The name and address of the appellant and appellant’s interest in the decision;
2. The nature of the decision appealed from and/or the conditions appealed from;
3. A clear, complete, but brief statement of the reasons why, in the opinion of the appellant, the decision or the conditions imposed were unjustified or inappropriate; and
4. The specific facts of the matter in sufficient detail to notify the city. The appeal shall not be stated in generalities.
B. Acceptance of Appeal. An appeal shall not be accepted by the city manager unless it is complete. (Ord. 818 (part), 2019: Ord. 775 § 1 (part), 2015).
6.14.108 Civil penalties.
A. Civil Penalty. If the solid waste manager, or, upon appeal, the city manager, determines that an applicant is in noncompliance as described in Section 6.14.105(C)(3), the applicant shall pay a civil penalty in the amount calculated as two percent of the total project valuation. Until the civil penalty is paid, a certificate of occupancy may be withheld by the building division.
B. Enforcement. The city attorney is authorized to bring a civil action in any court of competent jurisdiction to recover such civil penalties for the city of Patterson. (Ord. 818 (part), 2019: Ord. 775 § 1 (part), 2015).