City Committee OKs Changes to Construction and Demolition Waste Diversion Program

The Municipal Services Committee unanimously passed the amendments to the Construction and Demolition Waste Diversion Program (C&D Program) contained in the city’s Municipal Code.

The program’s goal is to divert waste from landfills and recycle these materials. All new structures and all demolition permits regardless of size require compliance with C&D program.

According to Kris Markarian from the public works department, Pasadena has the highest diversion goal of 75% compared to other cities including Santa Monica, Glendale, Burbank and Santa Clarita.

CalRecycle mandates a minimum diversion goal of 65%.

Currently, the minimum C&D deposit for projects in Pasadena is at $300 while the maximum is at $1,000, same with Santa Monica and Glendale.

The proposed amendments exempts residential remodel projects with a value less than $20,000 from preparing a waste management plan and submitting a $1,000 C&D deposit.

The proposed amendments also include requiring waste management plans to be approved prior to issuance of a Building or Demolition Permit and requiring submission of C&D compliance reports at project completion and prior to final inspection by Building and Safety staff. 

Also included in the proposed amendments is the streamlining of the appeal process and making final the decision of the Appeal Officer. 

City staff report stated that the mentioned amendments “will allow the City to enhance the C&D Program with clearer definition and systematic tracking of permit status, ensuring compliance at various trigger points during construction of a permitted project.” 

The City’s C&D Program was established in 2002 as a response to the 1989 California Assembly Bill 939 implementing diversion requirements for the waste generated from construction and demolition. The program is implemented through Chapter 8.62 of the PMC titled “Waste Management Plan for Certain Construction and Demolition Projects within the City of Pasadena.”