Mountain View Construction & Demolition Debris 101 is a new document to help contractors, project managers, and homeowners understand the City's Construction & Demolition (C&D) debris waste diversion program and process.  Use this overview to learn what is required of you and how to complete those requirements in categories such as: how to maximize your recycling, how to efficiently source-separate, when self-hauling is allowed, and more. 

Whether you are developing a plan or preparing for demolition and construction, we have the tools and guidelines to help you meet Recycling & Zero Waste requirements for your residential or commercial project. The purpose of these requirements is to ensure:

• Waste diversion meets the mandatory requirements of the California Green Building Code and City ordinances.
• Compliance with City’s Exclusive Hauling Agreement & Exceptions.
• Adequate space for users and collectors to conveniently access trash, recycling, and compost containers.
• Collection vehicles have enough turning radius and access to safely and efficiently service containers.

The City has adopted the California Green Building Code (CALGreen), which includes requirements for the recycling and salvage of construction and demolition (C&D) debris. The information below will help you understand what is required, who can collect debris, and how you can maximize recycling of your project.

CALGreen Projects – 65% Diversion Required

If your project is subject to CALGreen debris diversion requirements, you must recycle and/or salvage for reuse a minimum of 65% of nonhazardous construction and demolition waste. In general, this requirement applies to new construction projects, residential additions (including projects that increase the habitable space such as garage conversions), commercial additions of 1,000 sf or more, and commercial remodels/tenant improvements with a valuation of at least $200,000.

Your project will need to create a Construction and Demolition Waste Management Plan in the City's online tracking system. Documentation of this diversion is required or a final building inspection will not be scheduled. In order to meet the minimum diversion rate, you may need to separate recyclable materials from non-recyclable materials when disposing of debris. Weight tickets marked as "Trash," "Rubbish" or "MSW" will receive 0% diversion.

See How to Track Your Waste for more information.

Demolition Only Projects ≥ 5,000 SF – 50% Diversion Required

If your project involves demolition only and is 5,000 square feet or more, you must recycle and/or salvage for reuse a minimum of 50 percent of nonhazardous waste as required by the City’s Construction & Demolition Ordinance. Please note that the 5,000 square foot threshold includes all phases of a project and all related projects taking place on a single or adjoining parcel. Documentation of this diversion is required or a final building inspection will not be scheduled.

See How to Track Your Waste for more information.

Debris Boxes from Recology

If you plan to collect and haul your construction or demolition debris with debris boxes, you must use the City's exclusive hauler, Recology. These boxes will be hauled to Zanker Material Processing Facility to be sorted for recycling. No documentation is required - weight tags will be uploaded to the City’s online waste tracking system for you by City staff. Separate boxes for yard trimmings and cardboard are available at a discounted rate which can further increase diversion. Also, only Recology boxes may be placed in the street (with an encroachment permit from Land Development).

For more information, see the following documents or contact Recology, or see also Exclusive Franchised Hauler - Warnings & Exceptions.

• Encroachment Permit for Debris Box (Land Development)
• Notice of Exclusive Agreement for Box Services
• Debris Box Contract
• Rock Box Contract
• Yard Trimmings Box Contract
• Zanker Recycling Accepted Materials
• Zanker Recycling Diversion Rates

There are three simple steps to tracking your construction and demolition waste using our online waste tracking system. Some steps must be completed before certain stages of the building permit process. See below for more information and links and download the Construction & Demolition Waste Tracking Requirements.

Create a Waste Management Plan

Visit MountainView.WasteTracking.com to create an account and submit your plan prior to building permit approval, or prior to construction/demolition if no permit required. There is no fee for this service.

• Guide to Setting up an Online Plan
• Waste Management Plan Frequently Asked Questions

Upload Weight Tags

Roll-Off Boxes

Recology is the City's exclusive hauler for roll-off boxes, subject to certain exceptions for self-hauling. Recology weight tags will be uploaded for you by City staff into the City’s Waste Tracking System. All boxes are sorted for recycling at Zanker Materials Processing Facility.

To achieve the maximum diversion rate possible, keep recyclable materials separate from non-recyclable materials. Ensure that your mixed loads contain the minimum required percentage of recyclable materials for each material type accepted at Zanker and consult the current diversion rates. Loads may be classified as Trash or Miscellaneous Debris if they contain excessive amounts of trash or other non-recyclable materials. Weight tickets classified as "Trash" will receive 0% diversion.

Self Haul

Be sure to obtain and save the weight tags from the recycling or disposal facility, and document any salvage and reuse through photos or receipts. You will need to upload them to the City's Waste Tracking System.

Please ensure that the material type on the ticket matches what you enter into the online tracking system. Tickets for materials classified as "Trash," "Rubbish" or "MSW" at any facility will receive 0% diversion. Visit MountainView.WasteTracking.com to upload your tags.

Submit for Final Approval

When your project is complete and all weight tags have been uploaded, submit your final Waste Management Plan prior to scheduling your final inspection. Remember, you will not receive a final building inspection until your final plan is approved.

The City Council has designated Recology as the exclusive hauler for recycling or debris roll-off box services in our community. No other hauler may be used. There are exceptions for certain materials:

• Construction and Demolition Debris generated at a Premise by a construction, remodeling, or demolition services business and hauled from the Premise by the business as an incidental part of a total service provided by that business (e.g. roofer or landscaper). Such materials shall be transported in vehicles and containers owned or leased by the business providing the total service, using its own employees and not any subcontractor, affiliated company, or third party. The vehicle used to transport materials must be on the State of California Motor Carrier Transport Registry in the name of the business providing the total service as proof of compliance.
• The materials are sold or donated to a charitable organization, hauling service or recycling processor, provided that no compensation of any kind is given to such entity for any purpose, including, but not limited to the following:
  1. Sorting of materials, collection, storage or disposal
  2. Materials transport (hauling)
  3. Disposal of processing residues generally or as a deduction from the sale of recyclables
  4. Consultation or management services, provided incidentally or as part of an overall service (e.g. side agreements)
  Materials must be source-separated in open containers (not compactors). Hauling service must first obtain a non-exclusive collection agreement from the City and a business license.

Plan for enough space for trash, recycling and compost containers that are accessible and conveniently located for users and collection vehicles. Don't forget to add space for restaurant tallow services if needed. The following worksheet must be filled out and included with initial plan submittals for all new development or redevelopment projects:

• Trash Management Plan for New Development or Redevelopment

Keep in mind that State law requires all communities to divert at least 50 percent of their waste from the landfill by waste reduction, recycling, and composting activities. The State has identified that the lack of space and convenient access is a significant impediment to meeting this mandate.

The handout below has been developed to help you design and build an enclosure that helps our community meet the minimum 50 percent diversion requirement:

• Solid Waste Collection Design Guidelines

The widths and radii provided in this template is the minimum requirement for collection vehicles at all properties. Plan for the appropriate inside and outside turning radius and a commercial flared driveway on all properties.

Although other departments may have lesser requirements, remember that collection vehicles service properties weekly or more frequently and often under full load. Collection vehicles are larger and heavier than other vehicles, including fire trucks, and need a wider turning radius. Reference the Solid Waste Collection Design Guidelines for detailed truck dimensions and access requirements.

Turning Template

Building Division
Green Building Code, Permit Approval
650-903-6313

Land Development
Street Encroachment Permits for Roll-off Boxes
650-903-6311

Planning Division
Enclosure Materials
650-903-6306

Recycling & Zero Waste
Enclosure Guidelines, Construction & Demolition Waste Management Plans, Exclusive Hauler Requirements
650-903-6311
Recycle@mountainview.gov

Recology
Roll-off Boxes, Scheduling Collections
650-967-3034                                                                                                                                            ContactUsRMV@Recology.com