(A) Intent. The following provisions provide minimum development standards for recycling facilities in San Benito County. These standards are designed to provide appropriate development of recycling facilities pursuant to the 1986 California Beverage Container Recycling and Litter Reduction Act (Cal. Public Resources Code §§ 14500 et seq.).
(B) Permitted zoning.
(1) State-certified reverse vending machines and mobile recycling units shall be permitted in any commercial or industrial zone, provided that the use is located within a convenience zone designated by the California Department of Conservation.
(2) Recycling collection facilities shall be permitted per the use tables in Chapter 25.03.
(C) Development standards for reverse vending machines.
(1) Location. Reverse vending machines shall be established in conjunction with supermarkets or other commercial or industrial uses which are subject to approved development review or conditional use permits, and shall be located within 30 feet of the entrance to the commercial or industrial structure, without obstructing pedestrian or vehicular traffic, or occupying parking spaces required by the primary use;
(2) Parking. No additional parking spaces for access or use shall be required for reverse vending machines;
(3) Size. Reverse vending machines shall occupy no more than 50 square feet of floor area per machine, and shall be no more than eight feet in height;
(4) Design. Reverse vending machines shall be constructed and maintained with durable waterproof and rustproof material, and shall be clearly marked to identify material to be deposited, operating instructions, and the identity and the telephone number of the operator or responsible person to contact in the event of machine malfunction or if the machine is inoperative;
(5) Signs. Signs shall have maximum surface area of four square feet;
(6) Maintenance. Units shall be maintained in a clean, litter-free condition, and shall be sufficiently illuminated to ensure safe operations;
(7) Operating hours. Reverse vending machines shall have the same operating hours as the primary use or other typical uses in the zone.
(D) Recycling collection facilities.
(1) Standards that apply to all zones:
(a) Collection facilities shall be set back at least 150 feet from property in a residential zoning district or designated for residential use by the general plan;
(b) Containers provided for after hours donation shall be set back at least 50 feet from any property zoned or occupied for residential use and shall be constructed of sturdy and durable materials.
(2) Standards that apply to the commercial zones:
(a) In the C-1 and C-2 Zones, the collection facility area shall at least be enclosed by an opaque block wall or solid wood fence at least (6) six feet in height and landscaped on all street frontages.
(b) Standards that apply to the manufacturing/industrial zones:
1. In the M-2 zone, collection facilities shall comply with the setback, landscape, and structural requirements of the zone in which the project is located.
(c) Storage of materials:
1. All exterior storage of materials shall be in sturdy weatherproof and rustproof containers which are covered, baled, or palletized, and which are secured and maintained in good condition;
2. Storage for flammable materials shall be in nonflammable containers;
3. Storage for the recycling of oil shall be in containers approved by the County Health Department.
(e) Noise. The facility shall not exceed noise levels of 65 dBA as measured at the exterior property line of residentially zoned property. In no event shall the noise level exceed 75 dBA.
(f) Hours of operation. If the facility is located within 500 feet of property zoned or designated for residential use pursuant to the General Plan, it shall not operate between the hours of 7:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m.
(g) Signs. All on-site signs shall be in conformance with the standards set forth in this code, and shall clearly identify the responsible operating parties and their telephone numbers.
(h) Power-driven machinery. The use of power-driven machinery shall be limited to state-approved reverse vending machines. In addition:
1. Machinery, which is necessary for the temporary storage, efficient transfer, or securing of recyclable materials may be permitted with the approval of development review;
2. Additional development requirements. Additional development standards may be required as conditions of approval.
(E) Recycling processing facilities.
(1) Setbacks, landscaping and structural requirements shall comply with the development standards of the underlying zone.
(2) Storage of materials.
(a) All outside storage of materials shall be in sturdy weatherproof and rustproof containers which are covered, baled, or palletized; and which are secured and maintained in good condition;
(b) Storage for flammable materials shall be in nonflammable containers;
(c) Storage for the recycling of oil shall be in containers approved by the County Health Department;
(d) Storage or placement of recyclable materials outside of containers or mobile/recycling unit when attendant is not present is prohibited;
(e) Containers shall be clearly marked to indicate the type of material accepted for collection.
(3) Parking. Parking shall be provided on site for the peak load circulation and parking of customers. If the facility is to service the public, parking spaces shall be provided for a minimum of ten customers, or the peak customer demand load, whichever is greater.
(4) Noise. The facility shall not exceed noise levels of 65 dBA as measured at the exterior property line of residentially zoned property. In no event shall the noise level exceed 75 dBA.
(5) Hours of operation. The facility shall identify the operator and the hours of operation. If the facility is located within 500 feet of property zoned or planned for residential use pursuant to the San Benito County general plan, it shall not operate between the hours of 7:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m.
(6) Signs. All on-site signs shall be in conformance with the standards set forth in the Signs chapter of this code and shall clearly identify the responsible operating parties and their telephone numbers.
(7) Site condition. The site shall be maintained in a safe and litter-free condition on a daily basis.
(8) Additional development requirements. Additional development standards may be required as conditions of approval.
(Ord. 1043 § 3 (part), 2022)