Municipal Code Chapter 4 of Title 8

The California Green Building Standards Code, 2016 Edition, California Code of Regulations, Title 24, Part 11, impacting waste diversion as documented in the City of Costa Mesa’s Municipal Code Chapter 4 of Title 8, requires that all construction and demolition related projects divert 65% of project waste generated from the landfill. 

Consequently, permitted building projects relating to construction and demolition – newly constructed buildings, additions, alterations, interior and exterior demolitions, etc. – are required to divert a minimum of 65% of nonhazardous construction and demolition waste from the landfill by recycling, reuse, or salvage.  Generally, these materials include brick, drywall, other masonry, cardboard, green waste, paper, carpet, lumber, plastic, concrete, and/or metals. Asphalt, concrete, excavated soil and land-clearing debris should be 100% diverted from disposal.

As a result, you have two overarching waste hauling options for your construction and demolition related project:

1.    Use Franchise Waste Hauler

Use Franchise Waste Hauler Requirements:

• Select list of Hauler from Franchise Waste Hauler List
• No Waste Fees on Building Permit
• Request selected Franchise Waste Hauler to recycle Construction and demolition material.

Prior to final building inspection, provide weight tickets and the Franchise Hauler Reporting Form to WasteHaul@costamesaca.gov. The form MUST be signed by the appropriate Franchise Waste Hauler.

Failure to provide proof (e.g. hauler invoices) and/or to use any other entity to haul waste from your project is a violation of the Costa Mesa Municipal Code (CMMC) and will result in a fine of three (3) times the per-project fee that would have been charged had you informed the City a non-franchise hauler would be used.

**Use of a city-franchised hauler waives certain project fees. Therefore, stating that you will use a city-franchised hauler and then not doing so, circumvents the establishment of appropriate project fees.

2.    Self-Haul (Either as Property Owner or under Contractor Self-Haul Permit)

Contractor self-haul is the ability for contractors to haul the materials they generate, from their primary business activity, generally at a lower cost than a third-party waste hauler. This annual permit is a comparatively abbreviated process that requires a $200 annual permit fee, permit application, a list of vehicles that will haul material in the City or a copy of applicable vehicle rental agreement, and general and automobile liability insurance and required endorsements. These permits can be applied for through TESSA. 

Self-Haul – Contractor Self-Haul Permit/Property Owner (Owner/Builder) Requirements:

Do NOT select this unless this option unless the contractor who will haul waste for this project currently possesses a valid self-haul permit via Costa Mesa Public Works. Hauling without a self-haul permit is a violation of the CMMC and will result in administrative penalty fees. The CMMC allows contractors to obtain a permit to legally haul the waste they generate through their primary business activities.

• If you meet the requirements, your firm may apply for a Contractor Self-Haul Permit
• EFFECTIVE 10/19/24, SELF-HAUL PERMITS SHOULD BE APPLIED FOR THROUGH TESSA. Applicants are still required to provide a Certificate of Insurance and list of vehicles/equipment that will be used for waste hauling.  
• Self-Haulers must ensure 65% waste diversion requirement is achieved for overall project. Please ensure you are taking material to an approved C&D facility.
• Prior to final building inspection, provide weight tickets and Self-Haul reporting form to WasteHaul@costamesaca.gov. The reporting form must be signed and submitted by the self-haul permit holder.

NOTE: Weight tickets must state that the waste originated in the City of Costa Mesa and was processed as Construction & Demolition (C&D) debris. Weight tickets that do not reflect the information above will result in administrative penalty fees. Weight tickets stating that material originated in other cities and/or weight tickets that shows the material was processed as Municipal Soli Waste (MSW) or trash will NOT be accepted. It is the Self-Haul permit holders responsibility to ensure these requirements are met.

Self-haul contractor, a nonrefundable per-project fee is assessed when the building permit is issued that is calculated based on the below matrix:

Please submit any questions/inquires to WasteHaul@costamesaca.gov.