(a) Purpose
Assure that development provides adequate and accessible interior areas or covered exterior enclosures for the storage of refuse in appropriate containers with storage capacity for a maximum of one week, and that refuse disposal structures and enclosures are located as far from abutting residences as is reasonably possible. The following requirements apply to new construction, change of use, additional uses, and/or renovating 30% or more existing floor area.
(b) Requirements
(1) Location and Capacity
(A) Capacity shall meet or exceed standards pursuant to Chapter 5.20: Collection, Removal, and Disposal of Refuse and current refuse enclosure regulations identified in the "City of Palo Alto Refuse Enclosure Area Guidelines for New Construction and Redevelopment Projects" and the "Refuse Enclosure Design Guide" maintained by the Public Works Department.
(B) Refuse disposal and structures and enclosures shall be accessible to all residents or users of the property.
(C) Mixed use development shall have separate enclosures for each use classification (example: residential and commercial).
(D) Compostable materials and recyclable materials containers shall be located adjacent to solid waste containers, sized, and designed to encourage and facilitate convenient use.
(E) Refuse enclosures shall be no closer than 20 feet from any dwelling unit (including those on abutting properties). No minimum distance from dwellings is required if containers are located within a fully enclosed utility room.
(F) Individual refuse containers may be used to serve residential projects with one or two dwelling units. Shared containers shall service residential projects with three or more units, unless otherwise approved by the Public Works Director or any designee.
(2) Screening and Enclosures
(A) Enclosures shall be design pursuant to the current refuse enclosure regulations found in the "City of Refuse Enclosure Area Guidelines for New Construction and Redevelopment Projects" and "Refuse Enclosure Design Guide" standards maintained by the Public Works Department.
(B) Refuse disposal areas shall be screened from public view by masonry, wood, or other opaque and durable material, or located within a building or covered enclosure.
(C) Enclosures shall have a roof, walls, and be at least six feet tall. Enclosures shall include wheel stops or curbs to prevent dumpsters from damaging enclosure walls.
(D) Gates or other controlled access shall be provided where feasible.
(E) Chain link enclosures are prohibited.
(F) Refuse disposal structures and enclosures shall be architecturally compatible with the design of the project.
(G) Notwithstanding, subsections (B) and (C) above, in lower density residential districts (RE, R-1, R-2, and RMD), containers may be stored under extended eaves at least three feet deep, without full enclosures.
(H) The design, construction and accessibility of refuse disposal areas and enclosures shall be pursuant to Section 18.76.020.
(Ord. 5554 § 18, 2022)