Tulare County approves bear‑resistant trash cart ordinance for designated bear management zones after heated 3 Rivers debate

The Tulare County Board of Supervisors voted 3–2 on Oct. 28, 2025, to advance an ordinance requiring bear‑resistant trash carts and containers within areas the board designates as bear management zones, setting an adoption hearing for Nov. 18 and an intended effective date of April 1, 2026.

The proposal, brought by the county Solid Waste Department, would require franchise haulers to deliver certified bear‑resistant containers to customers within designated zones. Solid Waste staff told the board recycling and green‑waste carts would be exempt and that the ordinance would not force residents to subscribe to service or require short‑term rentals to subscribe. Residential customers will be charged an additional $12 per month and commercial customers would pay 10% above their current rate, staff said.

Why it matters: Residents and County staff said human‑bear conflicts are increasing in foothill communities and pose public‑safety, tourism and liability concerns. The board advanced the ordinance despite opposition from dozens of 3 Rivers residents and the volunteer Bear Smart team, who said the proposal is incomplete, risks burdening low‑income and elderly residents, and does not require certified resistance across all waste streams.

What supporters said: Joseph Kalpkoff, owner of franchise hauler Mid Valley Disposal, said replacing existing carts with certified bear‑resistant models carries substantial cost. "These bear carts are 5 times the cost of a regular garbage can," Kalpkoff said, explaining the hauler expects to pay roughly $250–$275 per certified cart compared with about $60 for a standard cart.

Solid Waste staff said the additional monthly charge is intended in part to cover purchase, delivery, warranty and maintenance of heavier duty carts and locking mechanisms. Staff also said some cart models include a five‑year limited warranty and are compatible with automated collection trucks.

What opponents said: Multiple 3 Rivers residents and volunteer Bear Smart team members urged the board to reject the draft and return to more collaboration. "Please vote no on the inadequate proposed ordinance and start over in collaboration with the 3 Rivers Bear Smart team and the local community as required by the community plan," said Elizabeth Holiday, a Bear Smart volunteer.

Residents presented local data compiled by volunteers showing repeated wildlife incidents in 2025: the Bear Smart team reported 347 confirmed bear sightings/incidents for the year, including 233 reports of garbage access and at least 75 incidents tied to short‑term rentals. Speakers argued recycling containers and metal curbside bins—both implicated in local reports—should be included and that physically accessible 64‑gallon options are needed for seniors and disabled residents.

Board debate and vote: Supervisors discussed accessibility accommodations (roll‑out service for disabled residents), equity concerns and whether transient‑occupancy tax (TOT) or franchise fees could offset costs to residents. Supervisor Larry McCarney said mountainous collection is inherently more expensive and voiced support for the ordinance as a step to reduce human‑bear conflicts. Supervisor Amy Shuckling and Supervisor Eddie Valero voted against the measure, citing the perpetual $12 monthly surcharge and insufficient community collaboration.

Vote tally: Yes — Larry McCarney, Pete Vanderpool, Dennis Townsend; No — Amy Shuckling, Eddie Valero. Motion: introduce ordinance adding Article 14 to Chapter 3 of Part 4 of the Tulare County ordinance code pertaining to bear‑resistant carts and enclosures and set adoption for Nov. 18, 2025. Outcome: approved (3–2).

What happens next: The board set Nov. 18, 2025, for adoption. Staff said the ordinance would take effect April 1, 2026, and that designated bear management zone boundaries would be decided in a future hearing. Implementation questions remain, including whether recycled carts will later be required, how the county will accommodate seniors and disabled residents who cannot operate two‑hand locks, and whether short‑term rental rules will be adjusted to shift costs to absentee owners.

Community reaction: Local volunteers urged coordinated, science‑based 'bear smart' programs that pair certified containers with visitor education and STR accountability. Mid Valley Disposal said it will comply with the franchise and that the carts the company proposes are already in use in other mountain communities such as Shaver Lake. The board and staff signaled willingness to revisit specifics if the deployed solution fails to reduce incidents.

Ending note: The ordinance moves forward as a countywide policy tool for managing human‑bear conflicts in designated zones, but supervisors and residents left the meeting expressing divergent views on cost sharing, accessibility and the level of community collaboration required for long‑term success.