Changes to Construction and Demolition Requirements

As of August 19, 2024, the updated Construction and Demolition (C&D) Recycle Reuse Ordinance will be implemented. Notable changes include:

  • Increases recycling rate for mixed C&D from 50% to 70%.
  • Increases recycling rate for soil debris from 50% to 100%.
  • Allows soil to be taken to inert debris engineered fill operation (IDEFO) facilities.
  • Require recycling facilities to obtain third party certification of recycling rates.
  • New upfront deposit payment requirement. Deposit payment will be refunded once compliance has been confirmed during the Final Compliance Report (FCR) review.

C&D debris refers to any material that is generated by a project from activity that includes construction, demolition, renovations/remodel, tenant improvement, and/or grading/excavation. Grading/excavation activity refers to soil intended to be hauled away from the project site.

Currently, Los Angeles County Public Works enforces a diversion rate of 65% for C&D debris as stated in the 2016 California Green Building Standards Code (2016 CalGreen Manual) and in County Code Sec 4.408 and 5.408. For more information on this program, please see the resources page under the section titled History.

Steps for Meeting Agency Referral Clearance

  1. Before the Project

How to Submit Recycle Reuse Plan via EPIC-LA

  • All construction and demolition Agency Referral clearances must first apply for the Recycle Reuse Plan (RRP) on EPIC-LA.
  • Once approved, an approval cover sheet will be uploaded in your “Files” tab. You may present this sheet as proof of your approval to Building and Safety. Your approval sheet will also indicate the minimum tonnage of debris your project is expected to recycle at the facility you selected.

For Additional Assistance:

If assistance is required to complete the online application, please email cnd@pw.lacounty.gov and state your permit number in the subject line.

Staff are also available in person at our public counter at the location and times listed below to assist with submitting online applications. All applications will be processed in the order they are received.

Tutorial

Example Approval Sheet

Submit RRP

2. During the Project

Keep all weight tickets to show that all debris is being taken to the agreed upon facility/facilities listed on the online RRP application. These weight tickets must be submitted as part of the Final Compliance Report (FCR) to close out the RRP. Pictures of the site before and after the project are not required, though they may be helpful.

What if there are changes to a project before it is completed?

If there are any changes made to the project such as change in scope, change of dates, or change in C&D processing facility/waste hauler, contact the C&D Unit using the information below and staff will assist with amending the application on EPIC-LA.

RRP Amendment Form

3. After the Project

All weight tickets must be submitted within 45 days of the estimated project end date.

Failure to submit all weight tickets associated with the project may result in a penalty fee up to $50,000.

Submit the Final Compliance Report (FCR) with all weight tickets and any other documentation (pictures, drawings, etc.) for review and approval to the C&D Unit of the Environmental Programs Division via one of the below methods. The tonnage that appears on your weight ticket will be compared to the tonnage indicated on your RRP approval sheet to determine if your project has met compliance.

Approval of the FCR will be required prior to final Building inspection and to qualify for the Certificate of Occupancy.

How to Submit Final Compliance Report via EPIC-LA

  • Only applicable to projects previously submitted through EPIC-LA.
  • New applications will be directed to submit via EPIC-LA.
  • If your application was previously submitted by email, see below:

Download and complete the Final Compliance Report form or Amendment application forms and submit with your supporting documents to our inbox at CND@pw.LACounty.gov or by fax to (626) 270-4066. Put the RRP number and the project address on the subject line of the email for us to locate your project file. The RRP number can be found on the cover sheet of the previously approved RRP form.

If your RRP was not initially approved by email, your permit is ineligible to submit via email and it will not be reviewed. Please submit via EPIC-LA mentioned above.

Tutorial

Submit FCR

More Information

The County of Los Angeles Construction and Demolition (C&D) Debris Recycling Ordinance, adopted January 4, 2005, requires 50% of all debris generated from construction, demolition, and/or grading projects in unincorporated areas of the County to be recycled or reused. The 50% recycling rate and other requirements in the County ordinance met or exceeded the original minimum requirements in the State’s Green Building Standards Code (CalGreen).

In 2016, the State revised the CalGreen and increased the minimum recycling rate for all C&D debris from 50% to 65%. The revised 2016 CalGreen code also requires 100% accountability of excavated soil, proper accountability and disposal for universal waste, and 100% recycling of soil, vegetation, and rocks generated from land clearing activities. These were not required in the previous CalGreen code, so are not in the County’s current C&D ordinance.

On April 30, 2018, Public Works updated the County green building code and adopted the 2016 CalGreen code by reference. However, the current County C&D ordinance does not comply with the minimum requirements in the 2016 CalGreen standard and the County building code.

Public Works is proposing to revise the County’s Construction and Demolition (C&D) Debris Recycling and Reuse Ordinance to make the County ordinance consistent with the recycling requirements in the latest California Green Building Standards (CalGreen Code). These revisions aim to support the waste diversion targets in the County’s Roadmap to a Sustainable Waste Management Future, better address illegal dumping of soil and C&D debris in the unincorporated County areas, and allow the disposal of soil at certain gravel pits and quarries to facilitate future development of those sites.

The proposed revisions will:

  • Increase minimum required C&D recycling rate from 50% to 70%.
  • Require a 100% recycling rate for trees, stumps, rocks, and associated vegetation and soil from land clearing.
  • Require 100% of excavated soil for all projects be properly accounted for.
  • Require proper disposal of Universal Waste
  • Introduce a Refundable Project Deposit for certain grading, building, and construction permit applicants who submits a recycling and reuse plan to encourage compliance with the ordinance.
  • Require certification for C&D Debris Recycling Facilities.
  • Require all County Projects comply with the C&D recycling requirements of the County and the State.
  • Require 100% accountability of all project C&D debris.

Visit the California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery for additional information regarding the recycling and reuse of construction and demolition debris.

Contact

Headquarters

LA County Public Works Headquarters
900 S. Fremont Avenue Alhambra, CA 91803

Los Angeles County Public Works
Environmental Programs Division
900 South Fremont Avenue
Annex Building, 3rd Floor
Alhambra, CA 91803

Fax: (626) 458-3569
TDD: (626) 282-7829

The public counter is open Monday through Thursday 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. For general inquiries, please email  cnd@pw.lacounty.gov.

Report Fraud

If you suspect fraud or wrongdoing by a County employee, please report it to the County Fraud Hotline at 1-800-544-6861 or online. You may remain anonymous.