Recycling Construction and Demolition Debris

New rules mean Construction and Demolition Sites will have to recycle in Sacramento and Sacramento County

What is covered by C&D ordinance?
How much does it cost?
How does it work?
What are options for storing debris on the job site?
Who are certified haulers and recycling facilities?
Key Documents and Forms
C&D Ordinance 8.124

What is covered by the C&D ordinance?
As of March 1, 2009, the Construction and Demolition (C&D) ordinance applies to all building permits over $250,000 in value, as well as all down-to-the-ground demolition permits. Covered projects must recycle five different types of debris and materials:

1. Scrap metal
2. Inert materials (concrete, asphalt paving, bricks, etc.)
3. Corrugated cardboard
4. Wood pallets
5. Clean wood waste (unpainted, untreated lumber and plywood - fasteners are okay)

How much does it cost?
When you file for your permit, you will be required to pay a fee for filing your waste management plan.

1. The fee is 0.04% of the project valuation, with a minimum of $40, and a maximum of $800.
2. A security deposit of 1% of project valuation (up to $10,000) is required with the fee if the applicant has been found in violation of the C&D ordinance in the past 12 months.
3. If you violate the plan or fail to implement a waste management plan at your site, you will be fined. First violation has a fine up to $250, second violation up to $500, and $1,500 for subsequent offenses.

Filing for more than one building permit at once and all the permits are for the same project? You may only be required to file the application and pay the fees once. For example, if applying for 20 building permits at the same time, they can be all grouped together as one large project.

How does it work?
It is as easy as 1-2-3-4-5.

1. Submit a Waste Management Plan to City of Sacramento Department of Utilities Solid Waste Services which outlines who will haul away the waste and to where. The form, fee, and security deposit (if applicable) are required before the building permit can be issued. Submission information is in the upper right-hand corner of the form.
2. Educate employees and subcontractors of how to properly recycle the C&D debris at the job site.
3. Keep a Waste Log of debris hauled from site and copies of weight tickets from hauling and disposal.
4. Keep the Waste Management Plan and Log in the permit folder on the job site. Please make it available when City staff requests to inspect it.
5. Submit the Waste Log within 30 days after the end of project. The project is considered finished when the building permit is finaled or expired. The log and the weight tickets must then be kept for one year after the project is finished.

What are options for storing debris on the job site?

1. Source-separated: Keep all recyclable materials stored in different containers. Anyone may haul this material to an authorized recycler.
2. Mixed C&D: Put all debris in one bin. Must be hauled by one of the following: the City of Sacramento, the permit holder, the contractor who did the work, or a franchised hauler.

The City of Sacramento Department of Utilities Solid Waste Services provides containers for recycling C&D debris. To request C&D recycling collection please call (916) 808-4839.

Franchised Haulers and Certified Facilities

1. Franchised Haulers
2. Solid Waste Facilities
3. Mixed C&D Sorting Facilities
4. List of recyclers from SWA
5. List of recyclers from CIWMB

Documents and Forms

1. C&D Debris Ordinance Overview (pdf)
2. Waste Management Plan Form (pdf)
3. Waste Log (pdf)
4. C&D Recycling Brochure (pdf)

For more information on recycling construction and demolition debris call the Commercial Service Line at (916) 808-4839.