Construction & Demolition

What do contractors need to know about C&D requirements in Marin?

The County of Marin requires applicants seeking construction and/or demolition permits for projects 5,000 square feet and more to track and divert a minimum of 65% of the discards created during the project. Diversion is achieved through recycling or reuse. All contractors and sub-contractors are responsible for the proper management of the C&D debris on the project site. This may involve separating recyclable materials from non-recyclable materials before hauling to a recycling or disposal facility in order to achieve 65% diversion.

What are C&D waste best practices?

Source separation of materials is preferred for higher recovery
Use a permitted debris box hauler and request that the C&D is processed at a Certified C&D Facility, or self-haul to Certified C&D Facilities
For loads of mixed C&D, request that they be processed for recycling
Taking these steps will increase the amount of materials your project can divert from landfill disposal and saves resources by helping C&D waste become useful recycled products.

Learn more about self-hauling in Marin with the Self-Haul Guide!

The Zero Waste Marin self-haul guide covers information about self-hauling regular waste and Construction & Demolition waste. Read this guide to learn more about the rules for self-hauling to facilities, and information about the relevant facilities in Marin County.

Get Started on Your Next Project

Consider reuse and/or deconstruction first. While recycling these materials is better than landfilling them, it is always best to donate or sell materials that can be reused before their end of life. For more information, check out the Deconstruction Benefits and Best Practices section on this page.

Every applicant must download and complete a Construction C&D Recycling Plan. There are two options to choose from: The Easy Method (pdf) (184KB) or The Advanced Method (pdf) (187KB). Most contractors and project managers elect to bring their waste to a certified facility like Marin Resource Recovery Center (MRRC). For more information on which method to use, please reference our Zero Waste Marin C&D Forms section on this page.

Turn in the first two pages to your jurisdiction’s building department before starting work. Each jurisdiction may have slightly different requirements depending on their local practices or laws, so it’s important to work with the jurisdiction’s building department BEFORE the project to ensure your plan complies with their requirements.

Check out your jurisdiction’s permit process below:

Take all C&D materials to a Zero Waste Marin Certified Facility. The closest facility is Marin Resource Recovery Center; however, a full list of facilities can be found in the Certified C&D and Reuse Facilities section on this page. Keep a copy of all your weight tickets, which will be submitted with the final plan for verification purposes.

Prior to final inspection, complete the forms as follows:

If using the Easy Method, submit the Post Construction Recycling Documentation Form (pages 3-4) to the appropriate Building Department along with documentation of recycling.

If using the Advanced Method, submit the Post Construction Documentation Form (pages 3-4) to the appropriate Building Department along with documentation of recycling.

Make sure all the information is accurate and that all records/weight tickets are attached to the Recycling Documentation Form for review.

Work with the Building Department staff to work through the paperwork and rectify any mistakes that may be holding up the permit approval process. Depending on the type and size of the project, an onsite inspection by the local jurisdiction or county may be warranted before the project is finalized. If your project has multiple permits, make sure to have records for each permit and any information that links these permits to the same project. Each jurisdiction may have slightly different requirements depending on their local practices or laws, so it’s important to work with the correct jurisdiction’s building department for guidance.

You can also fill out our Zero Waste Marin Contact Us form and our Senior Project Coordinator will get back to you within 48 hours.

Save and submit documentation of recycling once the project is complete. Check with your building department for how to submit the final documentation.

Zero Waste Marin C&D Forms

Zero Waste Marin C&D Diversion Forms

Who must fill out the form?

One form is required for each project that meets CALGreen requirements for waste diversion. The form can be filled out by the Project Owner or Contractor. It is recommended that the form be completed for any project that generates C&D debris.

What is the “Easy Method” and “Advanced Method” referring to on the form?

EASY METHOD

The Easy Method is utilized to reuse as much recoverable materials as possible, then recycle all the remaining source-separated or mixed C&D debris at a Zero Waste Marin Certified Facility. Simply turn in all the Zero Waste Marin Certified Facility receipts attached to your Diversion Form at the end of the project.

ADVANCED METHOD

The Advanced Method requires that the applicant prepare a Construction Waste Management. Plan detailing how C&D debris will be source separated, reused, recycled or otherwise diverted from landfill. Select this method if you intend to deliver building materials to a non-Zero Waste Marin Certified Facility and/or to assist in calculating and documenting C&D diversion that is higher than 65%.

Which method is right for my project?

All projects can utilize the Easy Method. The Advanced Method is an alternative that should be used if a Zero Waste Marin Certified Facility is not used for C&D recycling, or to assist in calculating and documenting C&D diversion that is higher than 65%.

What documentation is required as proof of C&D recycling?

Collect all receipts, or “weight tickets,” from Zero Waste Marin Certified Facilities and/or other non-certified facilities used for reuse or recycling of C&D debris from your project. Remember to ask for your mixed C&D load to be sorted for recycling.

Are facilities ranked according to their listed order on the form (i.e. is Number 1 the best facility to use)?

No. Facilities are listed in order of proximity to Marin County, by category. Please use the Zero Waste Marin Certified Facility that best fits the needs of your project.

Certified C&D and Reuse Facilities

Mixed C&D Processing Facilities

Asphalt Shingle Recyclers, LLC**
beegreen.green
5900 Coliseum Way.
Oakland, CA 94621
(510) 636-1166

Commercial Waste & Recycling, LLC
beegreen.green
725 Independent Rd.
Oakland, CA 94621
(510) 636-0852

Davis Street Transfer Station
davisstreet.wm.com
2615 Davis St.
San Leandro, CA 94577
(510) 563-4214

Devlin Road Recycling and Transfer Facility
davisstreet.wm.com
889 Devlin Rd.
American Canyon, CA 94503
(707) 256-3500 x1222

Marin Resource Recovery Center
marinresourcerecoverycenter.com
565 Jacoby St.
San Rafael, CA 94901
(415) 485-5646

West Contra Costa Sanitary Landfill
co.contra-costa.ca.us
1 Parr Blvd.
Richmond, CA 94801
(510) 970-7246

Windsor Material Recovery Facility
pacificsanitation.com
590 Caletti Ave.
Windsor, CA 95492
(707) 838-2597

Reuse Facilities*

Building Resources
buildingresources.wordpress.com
701 Amador St.
San Francisco, CA 94124
9:00 am – 4:00 pm Mon – Sun
(415) 285-7814

Green Lynx
buildingresources.wordpress.com
3403 Santa Rosa Ave.
Santa Rosa, CA 95407
Winter Hours:
Thur-Fri 10am – 5 pm, Sat 10am – 4pm.
Tues & Wed by appointment only.
(415) 890-5880

Heritage Salvage
heritagesalvage.com
1473 Petaluma Blvd. So.
Petaluma, CA 94952
9:00 am – 5:00 pm Mon – Fri
10:00 am – 4:00 pm Sat
(707) 762-6277

ReStore
habitat.org/restores
1201 Piner Road, Suite 500
Santa Rosa, CA 95403
9:00 am – 5:00 pm Mon-Fri
110:00 am – 5:00 pm Sat
(707) 568-3228

Urban Ore
urbanore.com
900 Murray St.
Berkeley, CA 94710
8:30 am – 5:00 pm Mon – Sat
10:00 am – 5:00 pm Sun
(510) 914-2701

The Reuse People
thereusepeople.org
9235 San Leandro St.
Oakland, CA 94603
10:00 am – 6:00 pm Mon – Fri
10:00 am – 4:00 pm Tues – Thurs
(888) 588-9490

* Facilities that do not have solid waste permits and handle only source separated non-solid waste materials.

** Asphalt Shingle Recyclers only accepts source separated asphalt shingles and inserts.

Treated Wood

Pressure treated, preserved wood, or treated wood waste (including the sawdust), has preserving chemicals like arsenic, creosote, and copper. TWW has the potential to be a hazardous waste if it contains elevated levels of one or more of those chemicals. When outdoor structures built with preservative treated wood – such as decks, gazebos, fences and retaining walls – are demolished and discarded, the wood is considered TWW and requires special treatment.

Please use the links for a list of Transfer Facilities and Landfills that accept TWW. For more information, please visit https://twwdisposal.org/.

CALGreen, LEED®, & Green Building Requirements

Deconstruct

Reuse

Recycle

Divert from Landfill

CALGreen requires a minimum of 65% percent diversion of waste generated during most construction, remodel, and demolitions projects. Some certification programs, such as LEED (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design), have even higher diversion/recycling requirements to receive certification. To increase your project’s diversion of waste from the landfill, consider deconstruction and reuse of materials first. Deconstruction is the best way to maintain the value of your construction and demolition (C&D) materials, and reusing is also far more sustainable than recycling.

Zero Waste Marin recommends using a Certified Facility to ensure proper recycling of C&D debris materials including: wood, metal, asphalt, brick, concrete, tile and other waste. Refer to the Certified C&D and Reuse Facilities list for more details.

Deconstruction Benefits and Best Practices

For Private Residents

For private residents intending to either demolish or substantially change their home’s footprint, consider that deconstruction:

Offers a local opportunity to REDUCE debris sent to landfill
DECREASES greenhouse gas emissions
REDUCES the harmful effects of extracting new resources from the Earth
SUPPORTS local jobs in the green economy
Potentially SAVES MONEY when indicated as a tax write-off for donated material

For Contractors

Making this option available to your clients requires training, preparation, and connections with deconstruction specialists and resale locations.

Here are some helpful Zero Waste Marin recommendations to make your deconstruction process successful:

Contact an independent reuse expert to determine what materials can be salvaged such as flooring, lumber, furniture, and light fixtures, and more. A list of the region’s reuse facilities can be found below.

Building Resources
buildingresources
701 Amador St.
San Francisco, CA 94124
9:00 am – 4:00 pm Mon – Sun
(415) 285-7814

Green Lynx
buildingresources
3220 Santa Rosa Ave.
Santa Rosa, CA 95407
Winter Hours:
Thur-Fri 10am – 5 pm, Sat 10am – 4pm.
Tues & Wed by appointment only.
(415) 890-5880

Heritage Salvage
heritagesalvage.com
1473 Petaluma Blvd. So.
Petaluma, CA 94952
9:00 am – 5:00 pm Mon – Fri
10:00 am – 4:00 pm Sat
(707) 762-6277

ReStore
habitat.org/restores
1201 Piner Road, Suite 500
Santa Rosa, CA 95403
9:00 am – 5:00 pm Mon-Fri
110:00 am – 5:00 pm Sat
(707) 568-3228

Urban Ore
urbanore.com
900 Murray St.
Berkeley, CA 94710
8:30 am – 5:00 pm Mon – Sat
10:00 am – 5:00 pm Sun
(510) 914-2701

The Reuse People
thereusepeople.org
9235 San Leandro St.
Oakland, CA 94603
10:00 am – 6:00 pm Mon – Fri
10:00 am – 4:00 pm Tues – Thurs
(888) 588-9490

Obtain and provide a cost proposal to your client for deconstruction or contact a deconstruction company to provide you with an estimate. Not every project has valuable materials that can be recovered and reused, but most do.

Apply for demolition permit (may differ depending upon the jurisdiction).

Deconstruct the building using industry best practices and maximizing recovery of materials.

Document the amount and value of donated materials, as well as any materials that are not able to be donated. If these materials are delivered to a Zero Waste Marin certified facility, you can still use the Easy Method on the C&D Diversion form which is required to have your permit approved.

NOTE: The value of the salvaged materials can be used by your clients as a tax write-off if desired; this requires a qualified third-party appraiser if the value exceeds $5,000. Many of these businesses/certified facilities have a list of certified appraisers that they consistently work with, who will ensure you get an accurate value of all items that can be reused.

Salvaged materials can be dropped off at reuse stores for little to no fees and repurposed for new construction – a benefit that can set your business apart from the competition! Be sure to call the facilities before you drop off materials to ensure they will take what you have salvaged. The C&D Diversion Form, which is distributed at building counters throughout Marin County, is designed so that you can bring material for donation to certified reuse centers.

Want to learn more? Fill out our contact us form and we will reach out to you with more information.

Landscaping (MWELO)

The Mandatory Water Efficiency Landscape Ordinance (MWELO) requires all landscaping projects that require a building permit, plan check, or design review to follow a Landscape Plan. This is to ensure that landscapes and irrigation systems are designed with sustainability in mind, especially for resource and water conservation.

Marin Water and North Marin Water District are available to help you with your landscaping plan. Please see the links below for additional information:

Construction & Demolition FAQs

Where do I submit my Waste Management Plan once I have finished with my project?

After completion of your project, you must submit your Waste Management Plan with the weight tickets included to your city’s Building Department/Community Development Agency. For instance, if the project took place in the unincorporated county, you would submit the plan to the County’s Community Development Agency. Each jurisdiction handles the submission process differently, but generally you can bring it to them in person or submit it all via email.

Who is responsible for ensuring C&D materials are recycled for my project?

The project manager or contractor is responsible for directing C&D materials for recycling. When possible, consider deconstruction and reuse first. If space and time allow, provide multiple on-site debris boxes for separating materials such as clean wood and metal for recycling.

Where can I take Mixed C&D debris for recycling?

Taking Mixed C&D debris to a Zero Waste Marin Certified Facility is strongly recommended to ensure compliance with state and local laws. The list of Zero Waste Marin Certified Facilities can be found above and is also included in the C&D Diversion form.

How can I maximize construction and demolition (C&D) materials diversion from the landfill?

Focus on reuse and deconstruction first. Source separation of materials at your project site will increase diversion. Many Zero Waste Marin Certified Facilities specialize in reuse and deconstruction to support the highest and best use of building materials. Reuse and deconstruction practices can also assist with Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED®) and other green building project certifications. Recycling of C&D debris is required by state law.

Take all remaining C&D debris to a Certified Facility for recycling and be sure to ask that mixed materials be sorted for recycling!

What diversion rate may I claim for my project by using a Zero Waste Marin Certified Facility?

Claim the diversion rate set by the Certified Facility used for recycling C&D debris.

What are the CALGreen building code requirements?

CALGreen requires a minimum of 65% of C&D waste to be recycled and/or salvaged for reuse, or that permit applicants meet a local C&D ordinance, whichever is more stringent.

Projects with a demolition-only permit (not included with a construction permit) are outside the scope of the CALGreen building code. Contact your jurisdiction to learn about recycling requirements in demolition-only projects should they occur.

What is the definition of non-residential?

Non-residential:

Any new construction project that requires a permit
Any demolition project that requires a permit
Any additions that require a permit
Any alterations that require a permit

What is the definition of residential?

Residential:

Any new construction project that requires a permit
Any demolition project that requires a permit
Any additions or alterations that increase the building’s conditioned area, volume, or size