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Kern County to require conditional use permits for new CRV recycling centers after staff report finds uneven local permitting
Summary
Following a staff report on state rules and local permitting gaps, the Kern County Board of Supervisors directed staff to pursue a zoning change requiring conditional use permits for new California Redemption Value (CRV) recycling centers in unincorporated areas; the motion passed unanimously.
The Kern County Board of Supervisors voted to require conditional use permits (CUPs) for new California Redemption Value (CRV) recycling centers in the unincorporated county, following a staff presentation that found uneven local permitting and a mix of certified and uncertified operations.
Paul Johnson, assistant planning director, told the board the California Beverage Container Recycling and Litter Reduction Act of 1986 (the “bottle bill”) is administered by CalRecycle and that CalRecycle maintains a certification program for redemption centers. Johnson said CalRecycle lists 92 certified centers in Kern County, of which 50 are in unincorporated areas. County records show only 22 of those 50 certified centers have local land‑use permits; 28 certified centers need further investigation by county staff, Johnson said.
Johnson summarized CalRecycle and county standards: a convenience zone for supermarkets is a one‑mile radius; qualifying supermarkets are defined by CalRecycle (for example, gross annual sales of $2,000,000 or more and a full line of grocery items); certified redemption centers must typically be open a minimum of 30 hours per week and operate at least five days a week. County development standards for permitted centers include a facility maintenance plan, screened containers or painted cargo containers, minimal impacts to parking and drive aisles, and certification or a pending CalRecycle application.
Supervisor Peters asked whether widespread curbside recycling would allow supermarkets to seek a CalRecycle waiver from on‑site redemption; Johnson said CalRecycle can consider exemptions in areas with sufficient curbside service and noted staff estimates about 86% of residential properties countywide have curbside recycling.
Supervisor Parlier, who moved the measure, noted community complaints about some recycling sites and said, “it's like bees the honey for homelessness too,” arguing for stronger local review and conditions. The board’s motion to adopt staff’s recommendation that new centers require a CUP passed with all ayes. Staff said existing permitted centers would be legal nonconforming and would not be subject to the new CUP requirement unless operations ceased for one year or an expansion or intensification is proposed.
Planning staff said letters have been sent to operators of approved centers reminding them of county standards and warning that graduated enforcement actions would follow if sites do not comply.
