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City of San Mateo Municipal Code.

7.35.060 Waivers for Generators

(a) De Minimis Waivers: The City, or its Designee, may waive a Commercial Business' obligation (including Multi-Family Residential Dwellings) to comply with some or all of the Organic Waste requirements of this ordinance if the Commercial Business provides documentation that the business generates below a certain amount of Organic Waste material as described in subsection (a)(2) below. Commercial Businesses requesting a de minimis waiver shall:

(1) Submit an application specifying the services that they are requesting a waiver from and provide documentation as noted below in (2) (A) or (B).

(2) Provide documentation that either:

(A) The Commercial Business' total Solid Waste collection service is two cubic yards or more per week and Organic Waste subject to collection in the Green Container comprises less than 20 gallons per week per applicable container of the business' total waste; or,

(B) The Commercial Business' total Solid Waste collection service is less than two cubic yards per week and Organic Waste subject to collection in the Green Container comprises less than 10 gallons per week per applicable container of the business' total waste.

(3) Notify the City, and its Designee, if circumstances change such that Commercial Business's Organic Waste exceeds threshold required for waiver, in which case waiver will be rescinded.

(4) Provide written verification of eligibility for de minimis waiver every 5 years, if the City or its Designee has approved de minimis waiver.

(b) Physical Space Waivers. The City or its Designee may waive a Commercial Business' or property owner's obligations (including Multi-Family Residential Dwellings) to comply with some or all of the recyclable materials and/or Organic Waste collection service requirements if the City or its Designee has evidence from its own staff, a hauler, licensed architect, or licensed engineer demonstrating that the premises lacks adequate space for the collection containers required for compliance with the Organic Waste collection requirements of Section 7.35.050.

A Commercial Business or property owner may request a physical space waiver through the following process:

(1) Submit an application form specifying the type(s) of collection services for which they are requesting a compliance waiver.

(2) Provide documentation that the premises lacks adequate space for Blue Containers and/or Green Containers including documentation from knowledgeable professional(s) such as an authorized hauler, licensed architect, or licensed engineer.

(3) Provide written verification to the City or its Designee that it is still eligible for physical space waiver every five years, if the City or its Designee has approved application for a physical space waiver.