18-19.170 Recycling Facilities | Clearlake Municipal Code

18-19.170 Recycling Facilities.

a. Purpose and Intent. The purpose and intent of the City are to make redemption and recycling of reusable materials convenient to the consumer in order to reduce litter, to increase the recycling of reusable materials, to regulate the construction, installation, location and activities of recycling facilities and to adopt a comprehensive and easily understood program of permitting and regulating such uses. However, it is recognized that these facilities, by their very nature, have some objectionable characteristics, such as noise and traffic conflicts, that require special consideration. In order to protect and preserve public health, safety and welfare, special regulation and review of these uses are necessary.

b. Exempt Facilities. Exemptions to the provisions of this section shall be granted by the City subject to the provisions of State law. Recycling facilities intended for use by the City are exempt from the regulations of this section. Reverse vending machines located within an existing commercial or industrial building are commercial or industrial accessory uses and are exempt subject to compliance with performance standards.

c. Permit Required. Unless exempt from this section, recycling facilities may be permitted subject to a use permit as specified in the zoning district regulations, subject to the performance standards referenced in Table 11; provided, that the Planning Commission or City Council, as the case may be, may relax such standards or 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 section or to protect the health, safety and welfare of the public, community and the environment as referenced in the following table. Reverse vending machines located outside a building shall be subject to a use permit.

Table 11. Recycling Facilities Performance Standards

RVM – Reverse Vending Machines (outside a building)

SRC – Small Recycling Centers

LRC – Large Recycling Centers

RPC – Recycling Process Centers
Applicable to:	Performance Standard
RSM	Shall be located within 30 feet of the entrance to the commercial structure and shall not obstruct pedestrian or vehicular circulation.
RSM, SRC	Shall not occupy parking spaces required by the primary use.
SRC	Shall occupy no more than 50 square feet of floor area per installation, including any protective enclosure and shall be no more than 8 feet in height.
RSM	Shall be constructed and maintained with durable waterproof and rustproof material.
RSM	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 contact if the machine is inoperative.
RSM	Machines shall be maintained in good appearance and condition and kept clean.
RSM	Shall be in operation at least during the operating hours of the host use.
RSM	Shall be illuminated to ensure comfortable and safe operation if operating hours are between dusk and dawn. All illumination shall require prior City authorization.
SRC	Shall accept only glass, metals, plastic containers, papers and reusable items. Used motor oil shall not be accepted in commercial zoning districts.
SRC	Shall not use power-driven processing equipment except for reverse vending machines.
SRC/LRC/RPC	Shall use containers that are constructed and maintained with durable waterproof and rustproof material, covered when the site is unattended, secured from unauthorized entry or removal of material and shall be of a capacity sufficient to accommodate materials collected and collection schedule.
SRC	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.
SRC/LRC	Shall be maintained free of litter and any other undesirable materials; mobile facilities, at which trucks or containers are removed at the end of each collection day, shall be swept at the end of each collection day; containers shall be maintained in good appearance and condition and be kept clean.
SRC/LRC	Recycling facilities shall not be located within 50 feet of a residential property; attended facilities located within 100 feet of a residential property shall operate only during the hours between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. on weekdays and 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. on weekends.
SRC/LRC	Containers for the 24-hour donation of materials shall be at least 50 feet from any property zoned or occupied for residential use unless there is a recognized service corridor and/or acoustical shielding between the containers and the residential use.
SRC	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.
SRC	Shall be landscaped for screening purposes as determined by the Planning Commission.
SRC	Shall operate at least 30 hours per week between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., of which 5 hours must be on Saturday.
LRC/RPC	Does not abut a property zoned or planned for residential use or is at least 150 feet from property zoned or planned for residential use.
LRC	Shall be screened from the public right-of-way by operating in an enclosed building or located within an area enclosed by a screening fence or wall between 6 to 8 feet in height with landscaping.
LRC	All exterior storage of material shall be in sturdy containers which are covered, secured and maintained in good condition. Storage containers for flammable material shall be constructed of nonflammable material. Oil storage must be in containers approved by the City Official. No storage, excluding trailers and transport containers, will be visible above the height of the fencing. Trailers and transport containers shall not be stacked on top of each other.
RPC	Shall operate in a wholly enclosed building except for incidental storage or within an area enclosed on all sides by a screening fence or wall not less than 8 feet in height and landscaped on all street frontages; such fences or wall shall be set back a minimum of 20 feet from the front property line.
RPC	Power-driven processing shall be permitted, provided all noise level requirements are met. Recycling processing centers shall be limited to baling, briquetting, crushing, compacting, grinding, shredding and sorting of source-separated recyclable materials and repairing of reusable materials.
RPC	Storage containers for flammable material shall be constructed of nonflammable material. Oil storage must be in containers approved by the Fire Chief. No storage, excluding truck trailers and transport containers, will be visible above the height of the fencing; trailers and transport containers shall not be stacked on top of each other.

(Ord. #248-2020, S2 (Exh. A))