This chapter establishes operational and design standards for the provision of adequate recycling and refuse facilities compatible with surrounding land uses, and to ensure that convenient and accessible space is provided for collecting, storing, and loading of such facilities.
(Ord. 2323 § 1 Exh. A (part), 4-28-2015)
The standards of this chapter shall apply to the provision of refuse and recycling facilities in all zones within the city, subject to the permitted land uses of the applicable zone. All developments shall provide adequate capacity, number, and distribution of refuse and recycling bins, facilities, and enclosures for the proposed or active land use, consistent with the provisions of this chapter.
(Ord. 2323 § 1 Exh. A (part), 4-28-2015)
All new construction shall provide space for recycling and refuse receptacles. All recycling and refuse receptacles shall have a dedicated enclosure area and be consistent with the standards of this chapter.
A. 
General Standards. Required refuse, trash, and/or recycling enclosures shall be consistent with the following standards:
1. 
All recycling and refuse areas shall be consistent with the standards of the applicable zone and located within an enclosure per the zone-applicable standards established by this chapter.
2. 
All enclosure walls shall be of solid concrete block wall or equivalent.
3. 
The enclosure, including cover and doors where applicable, shall be designed to be architecturally compatible with the main building(s).
4. 
The enclosure structures shall have heavy-gauge metal gates and be designed with cane bolts on the doors to secure the gates when in the open position. Doors or gates to the enclosure shall be self-closing types.
5. 
The enclosures shall be adequate in capacity, number, and distribution.
6. 
Openings to a trash enclosure shall not face the primary frontage of the lot.
7. 
All refuse and recycling enclosures shall be subject to hauler service consultation, commercial construction standards of the building and safety department, and director approval.
B. 
Clearance. Minimum overhead clearance for approach to the bin should be sixteen feet. This clearance is also required at roof lines such as overhanging carports.
C. 
Access.
1. 
Minimum fourteen-foot-wide driveway is required where straight-through drive and pick-up access is provided.
2. 
Where a collection truck has to back out into a driveway area, a minimum eighteen-foot-wide driveway shall be required. Vehicular backing movements into a public street shall be prohibited.
3. 
A minimum thirty-six-foot turning radius shall be required in areas where a turnaround is required to exit.
4. 
The trash enclosure facility shall be designed to allow walk-in access by building tenants without having to open the main enclosure gate if said facility is larger than ten by fourteen feet.
D. 
Design. All outdoor trash, garbage, and refuse collection/storage areas shall be screened on all sides from public view. Such area shall be so located as to be easily accessible for trash pickup.
1. 
Type, texture, and color shall be approved by the planning division. The enclosure shall have a decorative exterior surface finish compatible to the main residential buildings. Split-face concrete block finish is recommended. Brick or tile veneer exterior finish should be avoided. Gates shall be architecturally compatible with dwellings.
E. 
Additional Space Required. Any land use remodeling or additions (equal to ten percent or more of the existing value or equal to thirty percent or more of floor area) shall trigger the addition of recycling space as if it were new construction.
(Ord. 2323 § 1 Exh. A (part), 4-28-2015)
All recycling and refuse receptacles shall be enclosed and subject to the standards of Section 11.44.030 and this section.
A. 
Refuse and Recycling Enclosure Area. The refuse and/or recycling enclosure shall be four feet by six feet per space or tenant.
B. 
Enclosure Area Walls. Enclosure walls shall be a standard height of six feet; the director may require increased height if necessary for adequate screening for adjacent uses.
C. 
Location. Facilities and enclosures are prohibited in primary frontage setbacks. Facilities and enclosures shall be permitted within any required interior property line setback areas provided the storage area is completely enclosed by decorative walls, fences, or buildings, or a combination thereof; there is an architecturally compatible roof/cover feature; and there are painted steel view-obstructing gates.
D. 
Design. Enclosures shall be composed of three walls and have an architecturally compatible swinging double door on the front.
E. 
Foundation. The refuse receptacle structure must have a level concrete slab to accommodate the entire structure footprint and be constructed at the same level as the finished grade.
(Ord. 2323 § 1 Exh. A (part), 4-28-2015)
A. 
Required. Area for storage and collection of refuse and recycling is required for all dwelling units in any zone; the minimum required space is identified in Table 11.44-1.
B. 
Multifamily Enclosure Standards. Multifamily projects of five or more units shall be subject to the standards of Section 11.44.030 and shall also incorporate the following recycling and refuse pick-up and enclosure standards.
1. 
Provide on-site collection and storage of trash and recyclables. Enclosure walls shall be a standard height of six feet; the director may require increased height if necessary for adequate screening for adjacent uses.
2. 
Location.
i. 
Collection areas and/or enclosures shall not be permitted within the front setback.
ii. 
Minimum five-foot separation from any dwelling unit on an adjacent property, unless otherwise approved by the director.
3. 
Refuse and Recycling Areas. A dedicated outdoor area for refuse/recycling shall be provided for all units per Table 11.44-1, or as otherwise recommended by the waste management company.
Table 11.44-1 Multifamily Refuse and Recycling Area
Unit
Standard
2- to 4-Unit Buildings
8 sq. ft. required per unit
5-Unit or More Buildings
16 sq. ft. required per unit
Enclosure Height
6 ft. required, screen from public view
(Ord. 2323 § 1 Exh. A (part), 4-28-2015)
All recycling facilities shall require permits for placement, construction, and operation, subject to the provisions of the applicable zone land use table. All recycling facilities shall meet all the standards in this section applicable to the facility type and the standards established by Table 11.44-2, Recycling Facility Development Standards.
A. 
Valid Permits. Administrative permits shall be valid for three years.
1. 
Subsequent permit applications may be allowed; approval of subsequent permits shall be based on existing conditions, not on previous permit approval.
2. 
At the expiration of the permit, the collection facility shall be removed from the site on the day following permit expiration unless a new permit is secured prior to the expiration.
3. 
Violation of any of the standards of this section shall result in permit revocation.
4. 
Minor modifications and/or minor exemptions to any of the standards of this section may be made under the applicable permits, subject to director approval.
B. 
Standards. Additional standards and conditions associated with a CUP shall also apply. All recycling facilities shall meet the following:
1. 
Meet the standards and requirements of the zone that the facility is located in, except as more restrictively modified by this chapter.
2. 
Not occupy a required primary use parking space unless additional parking is provided or as conditioned by a CUP.
3. 
Have sufficient capacity to accommodate materials collected.
4. 
Be constructed and maintained with durable waterproof and rustproof material and be secure from unauthorized entry and from removal of materials.
5. 
Be maintained in a clean, litter-free condition on a daily basis; recycled materials shall not be left outside of the facility when unattended. Maintenance and cleanliness of the facility shall be the responsibility of the operator/owner of the host business/facility.
6. 
Facilities shall be illuminated appropriately to ensure comfortable and safe operation during all operating hours.
7. 
Facilities shall be clearly marked to identify:
i. 
The type of material to be deposited;
ii. 
Operating instructions;
iii. 
The telephone number of the operator or responsible person to call for maintenance or repair;
iv. 
Hours of operation; and
v. 
A notice stating that no material shall be left outside of the recycling enclosure or containers.
8. 
All utility lines servicing the facility shall be located in adjacent walls or underground and screened from public view, as appropriate.
9. 
All exterior storage of materials, where permitted, shall be kept in sturdy covered containers, and secured and maintained in good condition. All storage areas shall be screened from public view and landscaped. Nonflammable storage containers are required for flammable material storage. Enclosures shall be compatible with adjacent buildings. No storage shall be visible from the public right-of-way.
10. 
A facility that accepts used motor oil for recycling shall operate in accordance with Section 25250.11 of the California Health and Safety Code.
11. 
The facility shall be located and constructed so as not to create an unsightly appearance. Landscaping or screening from public view may be required by the permitting authority to ensure compatibility with surrounding land uses.
12. 
After-hours recycling containers, where permitted, shall be of sturdy, rustproof construction and shall be screened from public and street elevation view.
13. 
No dust, fumes, smoke, vibration, or odor above ambient levels shall be detectable on neighboring properties.
Table 11.44-2 Recycling Facility Development Standards
Reverse Vending
Small Collection Facilities
Large Collection Facilities
Processing Facilities
Industrial Collections and Processing Facilities
Notes
Minimum Site Area
—
—
—
—
2 acres, 87,120 sq. ft.
Size
50 sq. ft.
500 sq. ft.
See definition, Chapter 11.60, Definitions
Height
8 ft.
—
See definition, Chapter 11.60, Definitions
Number of Units
1 per parcel
—
—
—
—
General Minimum Setback
Right-of-Way
10 ft.
10 ft.
Per zone
Per zone
Per zone
Building
30 ft.
—
—
—
—
Required Minimum Residential Property Line Setback
Container
20 ft.
600 ft.
150 ft.
600 ft.
600 ft.
Note 1
Driveways /Access
30 ft.
300 ft.
300 ft.
300 ft.
300 ft.
Signage per Unit
4 sq. ft.
16 sq. ft.
20 sq. ft.
20 sq. ft.
Per CUP
Note 2
Minimum Landscape Buffer
—
—
10 ft.
10 ft.
20 ft.
Note 3
Parking Required
In addition to Chapter 11.33, Parking Standards, requirements
Customer
None
None
6 spaces or equal to peak load*
10 spaces or equal to peak load*
10 spaces or equal to peak load*
Note 4
Commercial Vehicle Operated by the Facility
None
None
1 per vehicle
1 per vehicle
1 per vehicle
Note 4
Operation Hours
Weekdays and Saturdays
Match hours of primary land use
9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Ongoing; or 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Ongoing; or 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Note 6
Sundays and Holidays
Match hours of primary land use
9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Ongoing; or 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Closed
Closed (Note 7)
Notes 5 and 6
Notes:
sq.ft. = square feet.
* whichever is higher.
1. Not permitted on a parcel adjacent to neighborhood low (NL)/neighborhood medium (NM) zone.
2. Exclusive of operating instructions.
3. Along all street frontages.
4. The placement of the unit shall not encroach on or impede required parking for primary land use.
5. Large collection and all processing facilities shall be administered by on-site personnel during the limited hours of operation.
6. Hours shall be limited as noted if the facility/unit is within six hundred feet of NL/NM zoned property.
7. Facility shall be closed only if the facility is unenclosed within six hundred feet of NL/NM zoned property, or an enclosed facility within three hundred feet of NL/NM zone; otherwise, facility shall be permitted to be open per the weekday operation hours.
(Ord. 2323 § 1 Exh. A (part), 4-28-2015)
Reverse vending machines shall meet the following standards, in addition to those established by Section 11.44.050, Residential standards applicable to all zones, and Table 11.44-2, Recycling Facility Development Standards:
A. 
Reverse vending machines shall not require discretionary permits if located within a permitted use structure.
B. 
May only be established in conjunction with a conforming use or community service facility that is in compliance with the fire code of the county of Los Angeles.
C. 
Machines shall not be located within one thousand feet of a liquor store or a business that sells alcohol.
(Ord. 2323 § 1 Exh. A (part), 4-28-2015)
Small collection facilities, including mobile recycling units and reverse vending machines, shall meet the following standards, in addition to those established by Section 11.44.050, Residential standards applicable to all zones, and Table 11.44-2, Recycling Facility Development Standards:
A. 
Accept only glass, metals, plastic containers, papers, and reusable items.
B. 
Use no power-driven processing equipment except for the reverse vending machines.
C. 
Use containers that are constructed and maintained with durable waterproof and rustproof material that are covered when the site is not attended, secured from unauthorized entry or removal of materials, and of a capacity sufficient to accommodate materials collected and the collection schedule.
D. 
Mobile facilities, at which containers are removed at the end of each collection day, shall be swept at the end of each collection day.
E. 
Signs may be provided as follows:
1. 
Signs shall be consistent with the character of the location.
2. 
Directional signs bearing no advertising message may be installed with director approval to facilitate traffic circulation, or if the facility is not visible from the public right-of-way.
3. 
The director may authorize increases in the number and size of signs upon findings that they are compatible with adjacent businesses.
F. 
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.
G. 
Facilities shall not be located within one thousand feet of a liquor store or a business that sells alcohol.
(Ord. 2323 § 1 Exh. A (part), 4-28-2015)
A large collection facility, exceeding the maximum small facility size, shall meet the following standards, in addition to those established by Section 11.44.050, Residential standards applicable to all zones, and Table 11.44-2, Recycling Facility Development Standards:
A. 
Screened from the public right-of-way by operating in an enclosed building or be compatible with surrounding structures.
B. 
Enclosed by an opaque fence a minimum of eight feet in height with landscaping, as approved in the permit.
C. 
Storage shall not be visible above the required fencing.
D. 
Exterior storage permitted subject to the standards of this section.
E. 
Containers for after-hours recycling are permitted per the standards of this section.
F. 
Power-driven processing, including aluminum foil and can compacting, baling, plastics shredding, or other light processing activities necessary for efficient temporary storage and shipment of material, may be approved through a CUP.
G. 
Facilities shall not be located within one thousand feet of a liquor store or a business that sells alcohol.
(Ord. 2323 § 1 Exh. A (part), 4-28-2015)
Processing facilities shall meet the following standards:
A. 
The facility shall not abut a residentially zoned property.
B. 
Power-driven processing shall be permitted, provided all noise requirements are complied with. Processing activities are limited to baling, briquetting, crushing, compacting, grinding, shredding, and sorting of source-separated recyclable materials, and repairing of reusable materials.
C. 
All storage areas shall be screened from public view and landscaped. Any enclosures shall be compatible with adjacent buildings.
D. 
Oil storage must be in a container approved by the director.
E. 
No storage shall be visible from the public right-of-way.
F. 
On-site personnel is required during the hours of operation.
G. 
Containers for after-hours recycling are permitted per the standards of this section.
(Ord. 2323 § 1 Exh. A (part), 4-28-2015)
Industrial collection and processing facilities shall meet the following standards, in addition to those established by Section 11.44.050, Residential standards applicable to all zones, and Table 11.44-2, Recycling Facility Development Standards:
A. 
Not be located on a primary arterial highway identified by the general plan, including the following:
1. 
Firestone Boulevard;
2. 
Long Beach Boulevard;
3. 
Atlantic Avenue;
4. 
Imperial Highway;
5. 
Garfield Avenue;
6. 
Paramount Boulevard;
7. 
Century Boulevard.
B. 
Not to abut or not to be located directly across a public street from an NL zone or NM zone property.
C. 
No oil, grease, petroleum products, or other harmful hazardous or noxious liquids shall be allowed to run off the yard or absorb into the ground.
D. 
The facility shall comply with all applicable storm drain requirements, as stipulated by Chapter 6.67.
E. 
Power-driven processing shall be permitted, provided all noise requirements are complied with. Activities may include baling, briquetting, crushing, compacting, grinding, shredding, sawing, shearing, and sorting recyclable materials, and the heat reduction or melting of such materials.
F. 
Exterior storage is permitted subject to the standards of this section.
G. 
Outdoor storage area(s) shall be fully screened by a maximum fifteen-foot-high solid decorative wall, subject to design review as part of the permit process. No storage, excluding truck trailers, shall be visible above the height of the wall.
H. 
Landscaping shall be subject to design review as part of the permit process, and shall comply with the Department of Water Resources Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance (MWELO).
I. 
Noise levels shall not exceed sixty-five dBA.
J. 
Containers for after-hours recycling are permitted per the standards of this section.
K. 
Signage painted on walls is prohibited.
(Ord. 2323 § 1 Exh. A (part), 4-28-2015)