Submit completed Waste Management Plans and Waste Logs to:
Resources Division
Fresno County Plaza Building
2220 Tulare Street, 6th Floor, Rm 600
Fresno, CA, 93721
Plans can also be scanned and emailed to condemo@fresnocountyca.gov
FAQ's about Construction and Demolition Recycling
What is Construction and Demolition Recycling?
California's Integrated Waste Management Act of 1989 (AB 939) requires cities and counties to reduce the amount of waste disposed of in landfills. The Local Government Construction and Demolition (C&D) Guide of 2002 (SB 1374) amended this act to include construction and demolition material.
Beginning January 1, 2014 forward, County of Fresno permit applicants are required to submit a Waste Management Plan for approval prior to permit issuance for projects. At the end of a project, a Waste Log with supporting receipts isrequired prior to the issuance of the Certificate of Occupancy.
Effective January 1, 2017, a minimum of 65% of all waste generated from a permitted project must be repurposed or recycled. The Waste Management Plan and Waste Log required as part of the County of Fresno's Construction and Demolition (C&D) Debris Recycling Program are designed to assist County compliance with this State mandate, and to provide builders with a means of documenting the waste reduction requirements included in the California Green Building Standards Code (CALGreen).
Why is this important now? We never did this before.
This is a requirement of the State of California and the County of Fresno in an effort to divert recyclable material from the landfill. This may seem new. However, if you have come across excess materials on a jobsite such as lumber, screws, and sheet metal and have collected these materials for use at a later date on a different project, this is an example of salvaging or reusing. What is being asked is to provide a log of materials that are being either salvaged/reused, recycled through a construction/demolition recycler or thrown away. Every project will have some items that are not reuseable and have to be thrown away.
This seems burdensome. Can I ignore the rule?
This law cannot be ignored. The County of Fresno is required to report to the State of California the amount of materials being recycled and processed in our County. Refusal to complete a Waste Management Plan and Log will result in a withholding of a project's Certificate of Occupancy until all required documentation is submitted.
I have no waste from my project. Do I still need to file a Waste Management Plan?
We encourage area residents and businesses to work toward this goal. However, we realize that although there may have been zero waste or 100% diversion of construction and demolition materials, there would still be some residual waste such as waste from meals, building schematics, packaging materials and others that are generated on site. This would still require a Waste Management Plan in order to process the information and provide a Certificate of Occupancy.
I place all my waste in one roll-off bin and the transfer station or roll-off business sorts the recycled materials. Do I still need to file a Waste Management Plan?
Yes. A transfer station is a material recovery facility will sort out the recyclable materials for you. Once this is done, a report is provided to the roll-off business or customer as to the amount of material that was diverted from landfills. This report is sufficient to complete and provide an accurate waste management plan. The county encourages contractors, architects, engineers, or owner-builders in charge of a project to routinely keep in contact with their roll-off hauler or the transfer station to ensure all waste materials are accounted.
I dispose of all my construction and demolition material at a disposal site, landfill, or dump. Do I still need to file a Waste Management Plan?
County Ordinance Code 8.25 bans Construction and Demolition waste from disposal sites in Fresno County. This includes American Avenue Disposal Site. Any materials over 3 cubic yards (approximately 1 short ton) is subject to this ordinance. Since many of the materials disposed of in a construction and demolition project can be recycled, this would be considered a violation of diversion standards. Regardless of the outcome of these materials, a Waste Management Plan is required in order to process the information and provide a Certificate of Occupancy.
My diversion is below the 65% recycled level. Will I be fined?
The County of Fresno is required by state law to enforce diversion of 65%. Builders who consistently divert less than 65%, fail to complete or refuse to provide a waste management plan can be subject to fines and withholding of a project's Certificate of Occupancy.
Where are locations I can drop off the recycled material?
This guide(PDF, 5MB) will provide you locations throughout the County of Fresno where materials can be dropped off or sorted for recycling purposes. Please note that County of Fresno County Ordinance Code 8.25 prohibits construction and demolition waste at American Avenue Disposal Site.
What are the steps to complete the paperwork?
Step 1: Complete and submit a Waste Management Plan (WMP)(PDF, 202KB) for diverting a minimum of 65% of all nonhazardous waste, scrap, and debris generated for the scope of work covered by the building permit. The WMP is due with the permit application and must be approved prior to issuance of a building permit.
Step 2: During construction and/or demolition, collect data for the Waste Log(PDF, 190KB) and ensure that any and all subcontractors are familiar with the WMP and have signed the WMP Acknowledgement Form(PDF, 280KB). Be sure to retain weight / gate tags, receipts, and invoices that indicate weights to support the data included on the Waste Log.
Step 3: Prior to issuance of a Certificate of Occupancy, submit the completed Subcontractor Acknowledgement Form, Waste Log, and all supporting documents to the Department of Public Works and Planning, Resources Division. You man submit these documents in person or by mail at our office, 2220 Tulare St., 6th Floor, Fresno, CA 93721 or by email condemo@fresnocountyca.gov. Failure to submit these documents may subject the property owner to administrative citations and fines in accordance with Section 1.13.070 of the Fresno County Ordinance Code.
What can Construction and Demolition Materials be recycled into after a project?
Many of the materials found on a jobsite can be reused for other projects. Some of these items may not be easy to see how they could be reused or recycled. Below you will find a sample of what construction debris can be used for.
Have questions? Contact County of Fresno Solid Waste Planning at: (559) 600-4259 or condemo@fresnocountyca.gov