The City of Santa Clara 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.

Applicant Information

Prior to issuance of a building permit, the applicant shall create a Waste Management Plan and obtain a project tracking number using the City's online C&D tracking tool at SantaClara.WasteTracking.com, hosted by Green Halo. 

Throughout the project upload all weight tickets for debris going to salvage, recycling and disposal facilities into the online waste tracking system. Weight tickets must state the project address and the material type on the tickets must match what is entered into the system. Failure to obtain and track waste diversion will affect the overall project's diversion rate and may result in penalties.

Project weight tickets for all materials generated for discard and reuse/recycle during demolition and construction activities shall be uploaded and submitted for review two weeks in advance of obtaining Temporary Certificate of Occupancy or Final Certificate of Occupancy.

Failure to achieve the 65% diversion rate is subject to a fine equal to the diversion shortfall multiplied by the square footage of the project, multiplied by $1.  Fine shall be paid prior to the close out of the project.

Debris Box Rental in Non-Industrial Zones

Mission Trail Waste Systems has the exclusive rights to provide all hired debris box services in all areas other than those zoned Industrial. No other hauler is permitted to place debris boxes within these zones.

Roll-off debris boxes may be ordered by phone by calling MTWS directly at 408-727-5365 or via their website: MissionTrail.com/santaclara. Projects with building permits that created a Waste Management Plan in Green Halo must use Mission Trail's Green Halo Debris Box application in order to have the weight tags automatically uploaded into the Green Halo project plan.

Debris Box Rental in Industrial Zones

For areas zoned Industrial, it is permissible to hire a debris box services company from the City of Santa Clara's approved Non-Exclusive Franchise Hauler list.

The use of any other hauling service outside of those listed above requires advanced approval by the City of Santa Clara - Environmental Programs staff.

Failure to abide by these debris box/hauling requirements is a violation of Santa Clara City Code 8.25.200 and is subject to a $1,000 fine.

Approved C&D Recycling Facilities

The use of a City-approved C&D recycling facility or transfer station is required.

Current list of City of Santa Clara Approved C&D Recycling Facilities

Materials reused or donated can be used to comply with diversion requirements with proper documentation.

General Forms and Handouts

Stormwater Management

• C.3 Data Form (pdf)
• SCVURPPP qualified 3rd party consultants (pdf)
• Third party review (sample) letter on the C.3 design (pdf)
• C.3 Treatment Facilities Construction - General Notes (pdf)
• State Water Resources Control Board Certified Full Trash Capture Devices List
• Special Project Worksheet (pdf)
• Special project narrative discussion (pdf)
• List of plant materials for the stormwater treatment facilities Appendix D of the SCVRUPPP C.3 Stormwater Handbook (pdf)
• Operations Maintenance agreement without HOA template (Word)
• Operations Maintenance agreement with HOA template (Word)
• Maintenance Responsibility Contact Information (pdf)
• Self-verification Annual Inspection Form (pdf)
• Transfer of Responsibility/Ownership Form (pdf)
• SCVURPPP Construction Stormwater BMPs (pdf)
• C.3 Stormwater Handbook (pdf)
• C.3 Stormwater Handbook Appendices (pdf)
• Green Stormwater Infrastructure Vegetation Guide (pdf)

Solid Waste Management

• City of Santa Clara Solid Waste Guidelines for New and Redevelopment Projects (pdf)
• Post-Construction Solid Waste Generation Estimation and Collection Form for New Development and Redevelopment (pdf) 
• Construction & Demolition (C&D) General Notes (pdf)
• C&D Waste Management Rules and Regulations Acknowledgment Form (pdf)
• ADU C&D Waste Management Rules and Regulations Acknowledgement Form (ADUs only -pdf)
• C&D Recycling Management Plan - Green Halo (URL)
• C&D Recycling Verification (URL)

Public Landscape

• Tree Protection details (pdf)
• City of Santa Clara’s Arborist Notes (pdf)
• Cutting or removal of trees (URL)

For questions, email Environmental Programs staff at Environment@SantaClaraCA.gov or call 408-615-3080.