Chapter 7.30
WASTE MANAGEMENT PLAN

Sections:

7.30.010    Definitions.

7.30.020    Threshold for covered projects.

7.30.030    Submission of waste management plan.

7.30.040    Performance security.

7.30.050    Review of WMP.

7.30.060    Compliance with WMP.

7.30.070    Exemptions.

7.30.080    Appeal.

7.30.090    Enforcement.

7.30.010 Definitions.

For the purposes of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply:

“Applicant” means any individual, firm, limited liability company, association, partnership, political subdivision, government agency, municipality, industry, public or private corporation, or any other entity whatsoever who applies to the city for the applicable permits to undertake any construction, demolition, or renovation project within the city.

“Construction” means the building of any facility or structure or any portion thereof including any tenant improvements to an existing facility or structure.

“Construction and demolition debris” means used or discarded materials resulting from construction, remodeling, repair or demolition operations on any pavement, house, commercial building, or other structure and such other materials as may be removed during the normal cleanup process of such construction, remodeling, repair, or demolition operations.

“Conversion rate” means the rate set forth in the standardized conversion rate table approved by the city pursuant to this chapter for use in estimating the volume or weight of materials identified in a waste management plan.

“Covered project” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 7.30.020(A).

“Deconstruction” means the process of carefully dismantling a building or structure in order to salvage components for reuse and recycling.

“Demolition” means the decimating, razing, ruining, tearing down or wrecking of any facility, structure, pavement or building, whether in whole or in part, whether interior or exterior.

“Diversion requirement” means the diversion of at least sixty-five percent (65%) for remodels and seventy-five percent (75%) for new construction by weight of the total construction and demolition debris generated by a project via reuse or recycling excluding asphalt and concrete debris of which one hundred percent (100%) must be diverted, unless the applicant has been granted an infeasible exemption pursuant to Section 7.30.070, in which case the diversion requirement shall be the maximum feasible diversion rate established by the WMP Compliance Official for the project.

“Divert” means to use material for any purpose other than disposal in a landfill or transformation facility.

“Noncovered project” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 7.30.020(B).

“Non-waste generating project” means a project that produces a de minimis amount of waste. Qualification as a non-waste generating project may be subject to the discretion of the WMP Compliance Official.

“Performance security” means any performance bond, surety bond, money order, letter of credit, or certificate of deposit submitted to the city pursuant to Section 7.30.040.

“Project” means any activity which requires an application for a building or demolition permit or any similar permit from the city.

“Recycling” means the process of collecting, sorting, cleansing, treating and reconstituting materials that would otherwise become solid waste, and returning them to the economic mainstream in the form of raw material for new, reused or reconstituted products which meet the quality standards necessary to be used in the marketplace.

“Renovation” means any change, addition or modification in an existing structure.

“Reuse” means further or repeated use of construction or demolition debris.

“Salvage” means the controlled removal of construction or demolition debris from a permitted building or demolition site for the purpose of recycling, reuse or storage for later recycling or reuse.

“Total costs” means the total construction value of the project as calculated by the Building and Safety Division using the city’s standard commercial and residential valuation formulas.

“Waste management plan” means a completed WMP form, approved by the city for the purpose of compliance with this chapter, submitted by the applicant for any covered or noncovered project.

“WMP Compliance Official” means the designated staff person(s) authorized and responsible for implementing this chapter. (Ord. 17-14 § 4 (part): Ord. 17-05 § 7: Ord. 5-00 § 2 (part))

7.30.020 Threshold for covered projects.

A.    Covered Projects. All construction, demolition, and renovation projects within the city, the total costs of which are greater than or equal to one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000) (“covered projects”), shall comply with this chapter. Failure to comply with any of the terms of this chapter shall subject the project applicant to the full range of enforcement mechanisms set forth in Section 7.30.090.

B.    Noncovered Projects. Applicants for construction, demolition, and renovation projects within the city whose total costs are less than one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000) (“noncovered projects”) shall be encouraged to divert at least sixty-five percent (65%) of all project-related construction and demolition debris.

C.    City-Sponsored Projects. All city-sponsored construction, demolition, and renovation projects, whose total costs are equal to or greater than one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000), shall be considered “covered projects” for the purposes of this chapter and shall submit a waste management plan (“WMP”) to the WMP Compliance Official prior to beginning any construction or demolition activities and shall be subject to all applicable provisions of this chapter. (Ord. 17-14 § 4 (part): Ord. 5-00 § 2 (part))

7.30.030 Submission of waste management plan.

A.    WMP Forms. Applicants for a plan check involving any covered project shall complete and submit a waste management plan on a WMP form approved by the city for this purpose. The WMP shall be submitted for review with the first plan check of an individual project or at the first check of a residential master plan in the case of a residential project. The completed WMP shall indicate all of the following:

1.    The estimated volume or weight of project construction and demolition debris, by materials type, to be generated;

2.    The maximum volume or weight of such materials that can feasibly be diverted via reuse or recycling;

3.    The vendor or facility that the applicant proposes to use to collect or receive that material;

4.    The estimated volume or weight of construction and demolition materials that will be landfilled; and

5.    The total square footage of the project.

B.    Calculating Volume and Weight of Debris. In estimating the volume or weight of materials identified in the WMP, the applicant shall use the standardized conversion rates approved by the city for this purpose.

C.    Deconstruction. In preparing the WMP, applicants for a plan check involving the removal of all or part of an existing structure shall consider deconstruction, to the maximum extent feasible, and shall make the materials generated thereby available for salvage prior to landfilling. (Ord. 17-14 § 4 (part): Ord. 5-00 § 2 (part))

7.30.040 Performance security.

A.    Time and Amount of Security. The applicant for any new commercial building (regardless of valuation) or for any covered project with a total project value greater than or equal to one million dollars ($1,000,000) shall submit a performance security before the issuance of a building or demolition permit. For residential projects, a performance security shall be submitted for each phase and shall be calculated using the following formula: (project square footage) x (60/2000) x ($35) + $2,738. This means that the total square footage of the project shall be multiplied by the average waste generation for all projects types per ton, which is sixty (60) pounds per square foot of project. That number shall then be multiplied by thirty-five dollars ($35), which is the cost of landfilling one (1) ton of material. (This thirty-five dollars ($35) can be increased annually on July 1st, beginning on July 1, 2001, by the increase in the Engineering News Record Cost Construction Index (twenty (20) city average) over the preceding July 1st rate.) That number shall then be increased by the project’s portion of the estimated fine per day that the city would incur for violation of AB 939, which is two thousand seven hundred thirty-eight dollars ($2,738). This number results from the fact that construction and demolition waste equals thirty percent (30%) of waste disposed in landfill, based on four hundred (400) completed projects per year, with a ten thousand dollar ($10,000) per day fine that the city will pay for the violation of AB 939 for three hundred sixty-five (365) days before achieving sixty-five percent (65%) diversion for remodels or seventy-five percent (75%) diversion for new construction [0.30 x ($10,000 x 365)/400].

B.    Form of Security. Acceptable forms of performance security include the following: performance bonds; surety bonds; money orders; letters of credit; certificates of deposit; and cash. (Ord. 17-14 § 4 (part): Ord. 5-00 § 2 (part))

7.30.050 Review of WMP.

A.    Approval. Notwithstanding any other provision of this code, no plan check shall be approved for any covered project unless and until the WMP Compliance Official has approved the WMP. Approval shall not be required, however, where an emergency demolition is required to protect public health or safety. The WMP Compliance Official shall only approve a WMP if he or she first determines that all of the following conditions have been met:

1.    The WMP provides all of the information set forth in Section 7.30.030; and

2.    The WMP indicates that the diversion requirements will be met.

If the WMP Compliance Official determines that all of the conditions set forth in this section have been met, he or she shall mark the WMP “approved,” return a copy of the WMP to the applicant, and notify the Building and Safety Division that the WMP has been approved.

B.    Nonapproval. If the WMP Compliance Official determines that the WMP is incomplete or fails to indicate that at least sixty-five percent (65%) for remodels or seventy-five percent (75%) for new construction of all construction and demolition debris generated by the project will be reused or recycled, he or she shall either:

1.    Return the WMP to the applicant marked “denied,” including a statement of reasons, and so notify the Building and Safety Division, which shall then immediately stop processing the plan check; or

2.    Return the WMP to the applicant marked “further explanation required.” (Ord. 17-14 § 4 (part): Ord. 17-05 § 8: Ord. 5-00 § 2 (part))

7.30.060 Compliance with WMP.

A.    Documentation. Projects that do not post a bond shall submit all documentation prior to the issuance of a certificate of occupancy. Projects that submit a bond shall submit all documentation within thirty (30) days after issuing the certificate of occupancy. Phased projects that submit a bond shall submit all documentation within thirty (30) days after issuing the last certificate of occupancy. The documentation shall be submitted by the applicant to the WMP Compliance Official demonstrating that the diversion requirement for the project has been met. The diversion requirement shall be that the applicant has diverted at least sixty-five percent (65%) for remodels or seventy-five percent (75%) for new construction of the total construction and demolition debris generated by the project via reuse or recycling excluding asphalt and concrete debris of which one hundred percent (100%) must be diverted, unless the applicant has been granted an exemption pursuant to Section 7.30.070, in which case the diversion requirement shall be the maximum feasible diversion rate established by the WMP Compliance Official for the project. This documentation shall include all of the following:

1.    Receipts from the vendor or facility which collected or received each material showing the actual weight or volume of that material;

2.    A copy of the previously approved WMP for the project adding the actual volume or weight of each material diverted and landfilled; and

3.    Any additional information the applicant believes is relevant to determining its efforts to comply in good faith with this chapter.

B.    Weight of Wastes. Applicants shall make reasonable efforts to ensure that all construction and demolition debris diverted or landfilled is measured and recorded using the most accurate method of measurement available. To the extent practical, all construction and demolition debris shall be weighed by measurement on scales. Such scales shall be in compliance with all regulatory requirements for accuracy and maintenance. For construction and demolition debris for which weighing is not practical due to small size or other considerations, a volumetric measurement shall be used. For conversion of volumetric measurements to weight, the applicant shall use the standardized conversion rates approved by the city for this purpose.

C.    Determination of Compliance and Release of Performance Security. The WMP Compliance Official shall review the information submitted under subsection A of this section and determine whether the applicant has complied with the diversion requirement as follows:

1.    Full Compliance. If the WMP Compliance Official determines that the applicant has fully complied with the diversion requirement applicable to the project, he or she shall cause the full performance security to be released to the applicant within thirty (30) days of the applicant’s submission of the documentation required under subsection A of this section.

2.    Good Faith Effort to Comply. If the WMP Compliance Official determines that the diversion requirement has not been achieved, he or she shall determine on a case-by-case basis whether the applicant has made a good faith effort to comply with this chapter. In making this determination, the WMP Compliance Official shall consider the availability of markets for the construction and demolition debris landfilled, the size of the project, and the documented efforts of the applicant to divert construction and demolition debris. If the WMP Compliance Official determines that the applicant has made a good faith effort to comply with this chapter, he or she shall release the performance security, or a percentage thereof, to the applicant within thirty (30) days of the applicant’s submission of the documentation required under subsection A of this section.

3.    Noncompliance. If the WMP Compliance Official determines that the applicant has not made a good faith effort to comply with this chapter, or if the applicant fails to submit the documentation required by subsection A of this section within the required time period, then the performance security shall be forfeited to the city. All forfeited performance securities shall be deposited into a special account and used for the purposes of promoting recycling within the city.

4.    Repeated Noncompliance for Projects That Do Not Post a Bond.

a.    The first instance within a thirty-six (36) month period where a contractor fails to divert sixty-five percent (65%) for a remodel or seventy-five percent (75%) for new construction of the total construction and demolition debris generated by the project via reuse or recycling (excluding asphalt and concrete of which one hundred percent (100%) must be diverted) shall result in a verbal warning.

b.    The second instance within a thirty-six (36) month period where a contractor fails to divert sixty-five percent (65%) for a remodel or seventy-five percent (75%) for new construction of the total construction and demolition debris generated by the project via reuse or recycling (excluding asphalt and concrete of which one hundred percent (100%) must be diverted) shall result in a written warning.

c.    The third instance within a thirty-six (36) month period where a contractor fails to divert sixty-five percent (65%) for a remodel or seventy-five percent (75%) for new construction of the total construction and demolition debris generated by the project via reuse or recycling (excluding asphalt and concrete of which one hundred percent (100%) must be diverted) shall result in a performance security being required for future jobs with a valuation between one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000) and one million dollars ($1,000,000). (Amended during 10/14 supplement; Ord. 17-14 § 4 (part): Ord. 17-05 § 9: Ord. 5-00 § 2 (part))

7.30.070 Exemptions.

A.    Non-Waste Generating Projects. The WMP Compliance Official shall have the authority to waive the requirement for the bond and/or the WMP for projects that generate a de minimis amount of waste as determined by the WMP Compliance Official.

B.    Application. If an applicant for a covered project experiences unique circumstances that the applicant believes make it infeasible to comply with the diversion requirement, the applicant may apply for an exemption at the time that he or she submits the WMP required under Section 7.30.030. The applicant shall indicate on the WMP the maximum rate of diversion he or she believes is feasible for each material and the specific circumstances that he or she believes make it infeasible to comply with the diversion requirement.

C.    Meeting with WMP Compliance Official. The WMP Compliance Official shall review the information supplied by the applicant and may meet with the applicant to discuss possible ways of meeting the diversion requirement. Upon request of the city, the WMP Compliance Official may request that staff from the Alameda County Waste Management Authority attend this meeting or may require the applicant to request a separate meeting with Alameda County Waste Management Authority staff. Based on the information supplied by the applicant and, if applicable, Alameda County Waste Management Authority staff, the WMP Compliance Official shall determine whether it is possible for the applicant to meet the diversion requirement.

D.    Granting of Exemption. If the WMP Compliance Official determines that it is infeasible for the applicant to meet the diversion requirement due to unique circumstances, he or she shall determine the maximum feasible diversion rate for each material and shall indicate this rate on the WMP submitted by the applicant. The WMP Compliance Official shall return a copy of the WMP to the applicant marked “approved for infeasible exemption” and shall notify the Building and Safety Division that the WMP has been approved.

E.    Denial of Exemption. If the WMP Compliance Official determines that it is possible for the applicant to meet the diversion requirement, he or she shall so inform the applicant in writing. The applicant shall have thirty (30) days to resubmit a WMP form in full compliance with Section 7.30.030. If the applicant fails to resubmit the WMP, or if the resubmitted WMP does not comply with Section 7.30.030, the WMP Compliance Official shall deny the WMP in accordance with Section 7.30.050(B). (Ord. 17-14 § 4 (part): Ord. 5-00 § 2 (part))

7.30.080 Appeal.

Appeals of a determination made under this chapter shall be made to the City Manager pursuant to Section 1.04.050 and shall be limited to the following issues: (A) the granting or denial of an exemption; (B) whether the applicant has made a good faith effort to comply with the WMP; and (C) the amount of security to be released. (Ord. 17-14 § 4 (part): Ord. 5-00 § 2 (part))

7.30.090 Enforcement.

A.    Violation of any provision of this chapter may be enforced by civil action including an action for injunctive relief. In any civil enforcement action, administrative or judicial, the city shall be entitled to recover its attorneys’ fees and costs from a person who is determined by a court of competent jurisdiction to have violated this chapter.

B.    Violation of any provision of this chapter shall constitute an infraction punishable by a fine not to exceed one hundred dollars ($100) for the first violation, a fine not to exceed two hundred dollars ($200) for the second violation within one (1) year, and a fine not to exceed five hundred dollars ($500) for each additional violation within one (1) year. There shall be a separate infraction for each day on which a violation occurs. Where the violation is the failure to achieve the diversion requirement applicable to the project and the construction and demolition materials from the project have already been landfilled, the violation shall be deemed to have ceased after a period of ten (10) days. The city shall recover costs and attorney’s fees incurred in connection with enforcement of this chapter.

C.    Enforcement pursuant to this section shall be undertaken by the city through its Community Development Director and the City Attorney. (Ord. 17-14 § 4 (part): Ord. 5-00 § 2 (part))