1/3/2025
1 RiversideCA.gov
1 RiversideCA.gov
ORDINANCE ADDING RMC CHAPTER 5.85,
“JUNK DEALERS AND SCRAP METAL
RECYCLERS”
Safety, Wellness, and Youth Committee
January 15, 2025
City Attorney’s Office
RiversideCA.gov
2 • Junk Dealers/Scrap Metal Recyclers: Businesses involved in the buying and selling of used machinery or scrap
metal.
– Secondhand machinery;
– Oil well rings;
– Stainless steel;
– Electrical power generating equipment;
– Materials used in construction, agriculture, railroads; – Etc.
BACKGROUND
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Revised
Date: SWYC 1-15-25
Item No.: 3
1/3/2025
2 RiversideCA.gov
3 • Examples:
– Copper Wire Theft
• EX: City light poles, apartment
complexes under construction, etc.
– Copper Piping Theft
• EX: A/C units, housing materials,
hardware stores, etc.
– Catalytic Converter Theft
• City of Los Angeles “Heavy Metal
Task Force”:
– To address stolen copper wiring and
telecommunications cable from street
lights.
EXAMPLES OF UNLAWFUL JUNK TRANSACTIONS
RiversideCA.gov
4 • California Municipalities that have Adopted “Junk
Dealer/Scrap Metal Recycler” Ordinances:
– City of Stockton (SMC 5.28.280-510)
– City of Patterson (PMC 5.44.010-100)
– City of Riverbank (RBMC 135.01-99)
– Yuba County (YCMC 6.36.010-110)
• Each Ordinance Addresses:
– Licensing requirements;
– Required operating procedures; and
– Mechanisms to hold junk dealers/recyclers accountable. • City of Las Vegas Bill No. 2024-22:
– Ordinance to regulate how junk transactions can be conducted.
SIMILAR ORDINANCES IN OTHER JURISDICTIONS
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3 RiversideCA.gov
5 • Sections 5.85.040-090: Operating and Reporting Requirements – No operating between 7:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m.
– No acquiring junk from individuals under the age of 18. – Must use check or paper draft to make payment above $10. – Give daily report of all transactions within previous 24 hours. – Notify RPD of sales and purchases, of certain junk items. – Allow for periodic inspections.
• Sections 5.85.100-120 and 5.85.140-150: License Requirements and Permit Application Process
– Have a (1) City business tax certificate, (2) minor conditional use permit, (3) state business license from DOJ, and (4) City junk dealer/recycler business establishment permit.
• Sections 5.85.130 and 5.85.160-190: Denial of Applications, Revocation of Permits, and Penalties for Violations
– Under certain grounds, City can deny applications for establishment permits and/or revoke existing establishment permits.
– Violators will be subject to increased fines for each violation.
RIVERSIDE MUNICIPAL CODE
RiversideCA.gov
6 Strategic Priority #2 Community Well-Being, Goal 2.4
Cross-Cutting Threads
STRATEGIC PLAN ALIGNMENT
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4 RiversideCA.gov
7 That the Safety, Wellness, and Youth Committee:
1. Receive the following report and presentation proposing an amendment to the Riverside Municipal Code in order
to add Chapter 5.85 “Junk Dealers and Scrap Metal
Recyclers”;
2. Make a motion to refer the following report and
presentation to the City Council to adopt an ordinance
amending the Riverside Municipal Code adding Chapter
5.85 “Junk Dealers and Scrap Metal Recyclers.”
RECOMMENDATIONS
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