(a) Any composting operation which meets the qualifications of subsections (c) or (d) of this chapter shall be exempt from the permit requirements of this chapter.
(b) General Composting Standards. All composting operations which meet the qualifications of subsections (c) or (d) hereof shall promote proper conditions for composting and shall operate under the following standards, in addition to all applicable local, state and federal laws, rules and regulations:
(1) Nuisance. In no event shall any composting activity be conducted in a manner which creates an odor, litter, dust or noise nuisance, or attracts vectors or pests.
(2) Rat and other vector control. The presence of insects, rodents, birds and other vectors or pests shall be controlled through specific measures. These specific measures may include grinding the ingredients, providing screens or netting, or conducting the composting operation in-vessel.
(3) Surface water. The composting operation shall be located or designed and constructed to prevent the composting material and compost from sitting in ponded surface water. In no event shall any composting activity be conducted in a manner which creates standing water resulting from leachate.
(4) Mixing. Composting material shall be mixed or turned at regular intervals as conditions mandate to re-mix ingredients, distribute moisture, rebuild porosity and aid in physical breakdown until composting is complete.
(5) Sewage restriction. The composting material shall not contain sewage, sludge, septage or catch basin waste. For the purposes of this section, "sludge" shall mean any solid, semi-solid, or liquid waste generated from a municipal, commercial, or industrial wastewater treatment plant, water supply treatment plant, or air pollution control facility or any other such waste having similar characteristics or effects; "septage" shall mean the waste found in a septic tank; and "catch basin waste" shall mean the waste found in a catch basin.
(c) Residential Garden Composting Operation. A composting operation that composts only landscape waste and limited organic waste generated on-site, shall be exempt from the permit requirements of this chapter if it meets the following criteria:
(1) Ingredients. The composting operation composts only landscape waste and limited organic waste.
(2) Size. The composting operation contains no more than a total of 2 cubic yards of landscape waste, composting material, and end product compost on-site at any one time, unless express written authorization has been issued by the City of Lorain allowing a greater volume. In the case of a larger approved operation, the City of Lorain, at its discretion, may require permitting as stipulated under Section 1547.05.
(3) Compost use. All generated compost must be used on-site.
(4) Processing. All limited organic waste that constitutes food scrap must be processed into the composting operation by the end of the day it was generated on-site. Other limited organic waste must be processed into the composting operation or be contained in a properly maintained covered steel or rigid plastic container by the end of the day it was generated on-site.
(5) Noncommercial. The composting operation is not engaged in commercial activities related to composting, the acceptance of limited organic waste or landscape waste, or commercial landscaping.
(d) Municipal Subdivision. Any composting operation owned and operated by the City of Lorain shall be exempt from this chapter.
(Ord. 133-17. Passed 12-18-17.)