DATE: March 9, 2026
TO: Council Sustainability Committee
FROM: Director of Public Works
SUBJECT
Title
Proposed Updates to Requirements for Trash Enclosures and Recycling of Construction and Demolition Debris
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RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
That the Council Sustainability Committee (CSC) reviews this report and provides a recommendation to the City Council to adopt ordinances amending the municipal code to:
1. establish new trash enclosure design requirements; and
2. increase the penalty for failure to properly recycle construction and demolition debris.
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SUMMARY
This report makes recommendations to update two processes that are part of the City's Solid Waste program. First, City staff review building permits to ensure solid waste is managed properly and stormwater is protected from pollutants. The City's building permit review process does not include a formal threshold for determining when projects should be required to construct new trash enclosures or when to upgrade existing trash enclosures. Staff recommends establishing new enclosure design requirements as outlined in this report. A codified threshold and design can make the City's review process more predictable for builders and developers and result in more consistent application of existing solid waste management policies. A City code that specifies when a trash enclosure is required as well as the design of the enclosure can streamline building permit applications and ensure proper management of solid waste.
Secondly, City staff review permits to ensure applicants following requirements to appropriately recycle construction and demolition (C&D) debris per the City's ordinance. The City's current penalty for not following requirements is an administrative citation with a $100 fine. Staff has found this penalty amount does not deter developers from ignoring the requirements. Staff recommends adjusting the fine to allow up to $1,000 in pena...
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