San José property owners and community managers: simplify recycling & organics compliance while boosting resident satisfaction. National Doorstep’s valet trash & recycling service aligns with City of San José and County of Santa Clara (unincorporated) requirements and California state mandates (AB 341 / SB 1383) to reduce contamination and enhance NOI — all with a turnkey program.
In San José / Santa Clara County, recycling and organics service is mandatory for multifamily generators under local ordinance and statewide law. The City implements requirements in the San José Municipal Code Ch. 9.10 (as amended by Ordinance No. 30684), and the County regulates generators under County Ordinance Code Title B, Division B11, Chapter IX (“Garbage & Refuse”).
- NOI & Property Value Lift: Sustainability amenities that increase retention and curb appeal.
- Resident Convenience & Cleanliness: Doorstep recycling & organics pickup reduces overflow and contamination.
- Compliance Simplified: Aligns with City / County rules plus CalRecycle mandates (AB 341 / SB 1383).
- Code-Backed Design: Inspector-friendly documentation, labels, and resident education in multiple languages.
At a Glance: City of San José vs Unincorporated Santa Clara County
City of San José
- Mandate Type: Mandatory Recycling + Mandatory Organics for multifamily.
- Applicability Threshold: Multifamily 5+ units (SJMC §9.10.1130).
- Duties: Provide or arrange recyclables, organics, and trash collection; adequate containers; labeling / signage; resident education; records.
- Effective Date: Framework via Ordinance 30684 (effective Oct 15, 2021).
- Key City Links: Ordinance 30684 (PDF) · SJMC Chapter 9.10 (HTML)
Santa Clara County (Unincorporated)
- Mandate Type: Mandatory Recycling + Mandatory Organics participation for generators, including multifamily.
- Applicability Threshold: “Apartment complex” = 5+ units (defined in County code).
- Program Duties: Subscribe to three-container service (trash, recyclables, organics); separate materials; provide education / signage; maintain records.
- Adoption: Ordinance NS-517.94 (Dec 7, 2021) updating Ch. IX “Garbage & Refuse.”
- Key County Links: NS-517.94 (PDF) · County Code (HTML)
Fines & Penalties Snapshot
- San José – Administrative Citations (Solid Waste/Illegal Dumping): City memo recommends $1,000 (first), $1,500 (second), $3,000 (third+) for illegal dumping under SJMC 9.10.545. See Staff Memo – Proposed Illegal Dumping Fines. Other solid waste violations follow the City’s administrative citation schedule; see Resolution 2024-260 (Schedule Updates) and SJMC Ch. 9.10.
- Santa Clara County – SB 1383 Enforcement (Unincorporated): up to $100 (first), up to $200 (second), up to $500 (third). See County Enforcement Tiers and NS-517.94 (PDF).
- Statewide SB 1383 – Local Penalty Range: Local jurisdictions may impose $50–$500 per day on non-compliant generators. See CalRecycle’s SB 1383 Enforcement FAQ.
- Tip: Keep service agreements, resident education logs, and contamination audits on file to demonstrate good-faith compliance and avoid citations.
Property Manager Compliance Checklist (City & County)
| Task | Action / Requirement | Authoritative Links |
|---|---|---|
| ☑ Verify Threshold | 5+ units triggers multifamily obligations (recycling & organics). | AB 341 (CalRecycle) · SJ Ord. 30684 · SCC NS-517.94 |
| ☑ Subscribe to Required Services | Active service agreements for trash, recycling, and organics (three-container system). | SJMC Title 9 · SCC Code (Ch. IX) |
| ☑ Containers, Labels & Access | Provide separated containers; maintain access; keep clear signage and contamination controls. | San José Ordinance PDF · County How-To |
| ☑ Resident Education & Recordkeeping | Provide move-in & annual education; keep service + education records ready for inspection. | SJMC Title 9 |
| ☑ SB 1383 Organics Compliance | Ensure weekly organics collection; signage; education; contamination monitoring. | SB 1383 Enforcement FAQ |
Need a fast compliance check? Request a Free Compliance Audit for your San José or Santa Clara County property — we’ll right-size your containers, draft resident education, and prepare inspection-ready documentation.
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