Construction and Demolition Debris Ordinance

The City of San Mateo is committed to enhancing the community, and its environment. We require that certain debris generated from construction and demolition projects be recycle helping us to divert the material from going to landfill. The Ordinance requires that a Construction and Demolition Recycling and Waste Reduction Plan, and a security deposit, be submitted as a condition of the building permit. Click her to find out more about permits.

The Ordinance further requires that documentation of the required diversion rate be submitted at the project's completion of the final inspection as a condition of returning the deposit. This will assist us in complying with State laws requiring citywide diversion goals. Find information and the form here: Construction and Demolition Recycling and Waste Reduction Plan.

PCBs and Demolition Permit Requirements

Part of our commitment includes protecting our waterways from the dangers of Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), industrial chemicals made and used in construction since 1929. PCBs were banned in 1979 after there was evidence they caused very serious health effects, including some cancers, on the immune, nervous and endocrine systems.

To mitigate the dangers of PCBs in our water, the Regional Water Quality Control Board (RWQCB) is requiring that Bay Area municipalities address potential sources to urban runoff, including certain building materials (e.g., caulks, sealants, insulation) that may still contain PCBs. The Municipal Regional Permit (MRP), which is issued by the RWQCB, requires Bay Area local agencies develop and implement a program by July 1, 2019 to keep PCBs from construction demolitions out of storm drains during building demolition.

After July 1, 2019, applicants seeking demolition permits from the City must submit the following:

Complete the “PCBs Screening Assessment Form” within the associated “PCBs in Priority Building Materials: Model Screening Assessment Applicant Package,” and submit information documenting the results of the screening. The applicant package contains detailed instructions. All Applicants must complete Part 1, Part 2, and Part 4 of the “PCBs Screening Assessment Form” within the associated “PCBs in Priority Building Materials: Model Screening Assessment Applicant Package”, and submit information documenting the results of the screening. All applications affecting applicable structures and demolitions must complete Part 3 and the Part 3 Tables.

Such documentation shall include:

1. The results of a determination whether the building proposed for demolition is high priority for PCBs-containing building materials (i.e. caulking, fiberglass insulation, thermal insulation, adhesive mastic, rubber window gasket, and other materials if needed) based on the structure age, use, and construction. The structure is considered high priority if it was constructed or remodeled between January 1, 1950 and December 31, 1980 and not classified as wood-framed or single-family residence. Applicable structures require
2. The concentration of PCBs in each Priority Building Material present; and
3. For each Priority Building Material present with a PCBs concentration equal to or greater than 50 ppm, the approximate amount (linear feet or square feet) of that material in the building. For building materials with such concentrations, applicants shall comply with all related applicable federal and state laws. This shall include reporting to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and to the San Francisco Bay Regional Water Quality Control Board (Regional Water Board), and potentially to the California Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC). The City shall be copied within the Applicant’s submittal of information to the EPA and Regional Water Quality Control Board. Additional sampling for and abatement of PCBs may be required.