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RiversideCA.gov
ORDINANCE ADDING RMC CHAPTER 5.85, “JUNK DEALERS AND SCRAP METAL RECYCLERS”City Council March 11, 2025City Attorney’s Office RiversideCA.gov2
•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 1 2
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•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.gov4
•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 JURISDICTIONS3 4 2/27/2025
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•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.gov6
Strategic Priority #2 Community Well-Being, Goal 2.4Cross-Cutting Threads
STRATEGIC PLAN ALIGNMENT
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That the City Council:1. Receive this report summarizing the proposed ordinance adding Chapter 5.85 “Junk Dealers and Scrap Metal Recyclers” to the Riverside Municipal Code; and2. Recommend that the City Council adopt the proposed ordinance adding Chapter 5.85 “Junk Dealers and Scrap Metal Recyclers” to the Riverside Municipal Code.RECOMMENDATIONS7