A. 
No person shall permit the placement, construction, or operation of any recycling facility without first obtaining a permit pursuant to the provisions set forth in this chapter. Recycling facilities may be permitted as set forth in the individual zone classifications.
B. 
In addition a reverse vending machine(s) or a small collection facility may also be allowed in special zones (PD-PS) which allow uses permitted in commercial or industrial zones with an administrative permit (for reverse vending machines) or a conditional use permit (for a small collection facility).
(Prior code § 44-261)
A single administrative permit may be granted to allow reverse vending machine(s) located on different sites under the following conditions:
A. 
The operator of each of the proposed facilities is the same;
B. 
The proposed facilities are determined by the Director of Planning to be similar in nature, size and intensity of activity; and
C. 
All of the applicable criteria and standards set forth in Section 17.84.030 are met for each such proposed facility.
(Prior code § 44-262; Ord. 1198, 4/22/2025)
A. 
Those recycling facilities permitted with an administrative permit shall meet all of the applicable criteria and standards listed. Those recycling facilities permitted with a conditional use permit, shall meet the applicable criteria and standards, provided that the Planning Commission may impose stricter standards as an exercise of discretion upon a finding that such modifications are reasonably necessary in order to implement the general intent of this chapter and the purposes of this title.
B. 
The criteria and standards for recycling facilities are as follows:
1. 
Reverse Vending Machine(s). Reverse vending machine(s) located within a commercial structure do not require discretionary permits. Reverse vending machines (single-feed) do not require additional parking spaces for recycling customers and may be permitted with an administrative permit provided that they comply with the following standards:
a. 
Shall be established in conjunction with a commercial use or community service facility which is in compliance with the zoning, building and fire codes of the City;
b. 
Shall be located within 30 feet of the entrance to the commercial structure and shall not obstruct pedestrian or vehicular circulation;
c. 
Shall not occupy parking spaces required by the primary use;
d. 
Shall occupy no more than 50 square feet of floor space per installation, including any protective enclosure, and shall be no more than eight feet in height;
e. 
Shall be constructed and maintained with durable waterproof and rustproof material;
f. 
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 the machine is inoperative;
g. 
Shall have a sign area of a maximum of four square feet per machine, exclusive of operating instructions;
h. 
Shall be maintained in a clean, litter-free and odorless condition on a daily basis;
i. 
Operating hours shall be at least the operating hours of the host use;
j. 
Shall be illuminated to ensure comfortable and safe operation if operating hours are between dusk and dawn.
2. 
Small Collection Facilities. Small collection facilities may be sited in commercial and industrial zones with a conditional use permit provided they comply with the following conditions:
a. 
Shall be established in conjunction with an existing commercial use or community service facility which is in compliance with the zoning, building and fire codes of the City of Paramount;
b. 
Shall be no larger than 500 square feet and occupy no more than five parking spaces not including space that will be periodically needed for removal of materials or exchange of containers;
c. 
Shall be set back at least 10 feet from any street line and shall not obstruct pedestrian or vehicular circulation;
d. 
Shall accept only glass, metals, plastic containers, papers and reusable items;
e. 
Shall use no power-driven processing equipment except for reverse vending machines;
f. 
Shall use containers that are constructed and maintained with durable waterproof and rust proof material, covered when site is not attended, secured from unauthorized entry or removal of material, and shall be of a capacity sufficient to accommodate materials collected and collection schedule;
g. 
Shall store all recyclable material in containers or in the mobile unit vehicle, and shall not leave materials outside of containers when attendant is not present;
h. 
Shall be maintained free of litter and any other undesirable materials, and mobile facilities at which truck or containers are removed at the end of each collection day, shall be swept at the end of each collection day;
i. 
Any odors arising from the operation of small collection facilities shall be controlled so as to be unoffensive to patrons of the host use, as well as those using the recycling facility;
j. 
Shall not exceed noise levels of 60 dBA as measured at the property line of residentially zoned or occupied property, otherwise shall not exceed 70 dBA;
k. 
Attended facilities located within 100 feet of a property zoned or occupied for residential use shall operate only during the hours between 9:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m.;
l. 
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;
m. 
Containers shall be clearly marked to identify the type of material which may be deposited; the facility shall be clearly marked to identify the name and telephone number of the facility operator and the hours of operation, and display a notice stating that no material shall be left outside the recycling enclosure or containers;
n. 
Signs may be provided as follows:
i. 
Recycling facilities may have identification signs with a maximum of 20% per side or 16 square feet, whichever is larger, in addition to informational signs required in paragraph (B)(1)(f); in the case of a wheeled facility, the side will be measured from the pavement to the top of the container, and
ii. 
Signs must be consistent with the character of the location;
o. 
The facility shall not impair the landscaping required by local ordinances for any concurrent use by this title or any permit issued pursuant thereto;
p. 
Additional landscaping requirements may be imposed to insure that the facility is adequately screened and maintains an appearance consistent with the host use;
q. 
No additional parking spaces will be required for customers of a small collection facility located at the established parking lot of a host use. One space will be provided for the attendant, if needed;
r. 
Mobile recycling units shall have an area clearly marked to prohibit other vehicular parking during hours when the mobile unit is scheduled to be present;
s. 
Occupation of parking spaces by the facility and by the attendant may not reduce available parking spaces below the minimum number required for the primary host use unless all of the following conditions exist:
i. 
The facility is located in a convenience zone or a potential convenience zone as designated by the California Department of Conservation,
ii. 
A parking study shows that existing parking capacity is not already fully utilized during the time the recycling facility will be on the site,
iii. 
The permit will be reconsidered at the end of 18 months. A reduction in available parking spaces in an established parking facility may then be allowed as follows:
(A) 
For a commercial host use:
Number of Available Parking Spaces
Maximum Reduction
0—25
0
26—35
2
36—49
3
50—99
4
100+
5
(B) 
For a community facility host use a maximum five spaces reduction will be allowed when not in conflict with parking needs of the host use;
t. 
If the permit expires without renewal, the collection facility shall be removed from the site on the day following permit expiration.
(Prior code § 44-263)