Construction and Demolition

Construction and Demolition (C&D) debris is a significant part of landfill waste in California, and yet a large percentage of C&D materials can be reused or recycled.

Foster City is required by State Law to divert 50% of all of its waste from landfill. To meet this goal, Foster City has adopted the California Green Building Code, which requires that applicable construction and demolition projects divert a minimum of 65% of the debris generated by the project and that a Waste Management Plan be submitted as a condition of the building permit. The Plan must demonstrate how the applicant will maximize the reuse and/or recycling of debris and other waste generated by the project.

The Ordinance requires that a refundable deposit be submitted based on the estimate of the debris that will be generated during the project. As a condition of the return of deposit, the City further requires documentation of recycling activities, demonstrating a minimum of 65% diversion for applicable projects be submitted at the project's completion. If an applicant performs demolition or construction without complying with the recycling requirements of the permit, the applicant is subject to forfeiture of original deposit.

Links to the following Forms and Resources are available here and at the bottom of this page:

Types of Projects Covered by the Ordinance

The Construction and Demolition Ordinance applies to projects that fit the following criteria:

The New construction or full demolition of any residential or commercial buildings.
Any permit for a commercial building.
Any alteration or addition to a residential building that increases the building size.

Building Permit Application Requirements

As a condition of issuing the building permit application, applicants for projects must comply with the following requirements:

Waste Management Plan for Construction Projects: A Waste Management Plan (BEFORE PERMIT) must be submitted and approved. The plan includes estimates of waste generated and materials to be diverted before construction permit will be issued. Where a contractor will demolish a structure and construct a new one, a separate plan will be required for each project.
Final Compliance Report/Deposit Refund Request Form (AFTER FINAL): Upon completion of the project, the contractor will complete and submit a Final Compliance Report/Deposit Refund Request Form (AFTER FINAL) showing date, project address, amount, and type of materials disposed. Report shall summarize the actual weight of waste generated, weight of materials diverted, and facility destinations of waste disposed and recycled, including back-up documentation (copies of receipts, weight tags, etc.). The documentation shall be submitted within 60 days following completion of demolition or final inspection approval of construction projects.
Salvaged Materials: The Building Inspector will verify (if applicable) the removal of salvaged materials prior to demolition. Once demolition is complete, the contractor will submit the attached Final Compliance Report/Deposit Refund Request Form (AFTER FINAL) with a list of items salvaged for reuse and weight tickets showing the date, project address, amount, and type of materials disposed. The Building Inspector will verify that the recycling goals of the Waste Management Plan were documented and met before construction permit will be issued.
Weight Tickets: The applicant is responsible to obtain legible weight tickets showing full information (including amount and city of origin) for the debris recycled or donated/sold for salvage/reuse and to submit these to the building division with the Final Compliance Report/Deposit Refund Request Form.

Diversion Rate Requirements

A minimum recycling rate of 65% is required for applicable projects. For all projects, the contractor shall optimize the amount of diverted material to the maximum extent feasible.

Lists of recycling collectors, facilities, and salvage companies are available at City Hall and the link to the latest published diversion rates for certified facilities can be found here: Certified Facilities/Lines - RCI - Recycling Certification Institute, Recycling Facility Certification Program

Fee

A non-refundable fee is charged to obtain a construction and demolition permit as set forth in the City's Master Fees and Services Charges Schedule, Section CDM-01-7.

Deposit

A refundable deposit is charged to obtain a construction and demolition permit, based on the size of the project.

Deposit Amount: $50 for every estimated ton or $0.25 for every estimated pound of debris the project will generate.
Minimum Deposit: The minimum deposit for applicable projects is $1,000.
Maximum Deposit: The maximum deposit for residential projects is $10,000. The maximum deposit for commercial projects is $30,000.

Deposit Refund Procedure

Full deposit refund requires the recycle, reuse, and/or salvage of at least 65% of the total generated tonnage from applicable projects and completion of the Final Compliance Report/Deposit Refund Request Form (AFTER FINAL), including all applicable documentation within 60 days of project completion.

Deposits will be prorated if less than 65% of the total estimated debris generated for applicable projects is reused or recycled, but part of the ordinance requirements are satisfied.

Deposits will be forfeited the required form and documentation are not submitted within 60 days following project completion or if deposit is unclaimed for a period of 60 days beyond the project completion date.

Documentation

Each weight tag must list Foster City as the city of origin.
Material weight must be listed on each ticket or tag.
A separate weight tag is required for each job site. To receive recycling credit, debris from separate project addresses cannot be delivered to the recycling facility in the same truck. If loads from more than one job site are combined, the weight ticket will be invalid.

Other Resources for Salvaging and Recycling Debris

Recyclable debris can be separated by type and taken to a recycling facility, often for a lower fee than if mixed together, to get up to 100% recycling credit for it. Examples of separated categories are: metal, clean wood and plant materials, cardboard and paper, concrete, and asphalt. The following provide useful information on recycling and salvage services and facilities and how to dispose of hazardous materials:

Construction, Deconstruction and Demolition Guide (A Guide for Building Contractors)
Call (650) 286-3227 to request copies to be mailed. In addition, you may pick up an extended list of facilities and service providers at the Building Division counter at Foster City City Hall (610 Foster City Boulevard).