Title
Environmental Management Department recommending the Board:
1) Provide conceptual approval, pursuant to Board Policy A-3, to amend Ordinance 5083 (Chapter 8.76) regulating bear-proof waste and recycling storage to remove outdated provisions, consolidate enforcement under Ordinances 5067 and 5174 (Code Enforcement Chapter 9.02), and make other minor revisions as needed;
2) Provide direction to staff on any additional amendments to the Ordinance; and
3) Direct staff to return with a presentation outlining recommendations to standardize requirements across collection systems.
FUNDING: N/A
Body
DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND
The Bear-Proof Container Ordinance (Chapter 8.76) was adopted by the Board on May 8, 2018 (Legistar file 18-0422) to reduce wildlife conflicts and protect public health by requiring secure storage of solid waste in areas where bears are present. However, the current ordinance is outdated, lacks consistency across collection systems, and includes unnecessary references to the South Lake Tahoe Basin Waste Management Authority, which slows equipment approvals and creates confusion for residents and haulers.
To address these issues, staff recommends revising the ordinance to:
- Standardize requirements for bear-proof waste and recycling storage across all collection systems, including bear boxes, curbside service, and self-hauling;
- Apply requirements to both mandatory and non-mandatory service areas;
- Consolidate enforcement under Chapter 9.02 standards;
- Update definitions by replacing “garbage can enclosures” with “bear-proof waste and recycling storage” and defining compliant systems;
- Require bear-proof containers for new construction, remodels, vacation home rentals (VHRs), and properties with bear access problems;
- Maintain flexibility by allowing residents and haulers to choose approved systems without imposing a mandatory compliance date.
Board Policy A-3 requires conceptual approval before drafting ordinance language. Staff has not prepared amendment text at this stage. Upon Board direction, EMD will return with a detailed presentation and proposed revisions based on Board and community input.
ALTERNATIVES:
If the Board decides not to proceed with revisions, Ordinances will remain unchanged.
PRIOR BOARD ACTION
See above.
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT
N/A
CAO RECOMMENDATION
Approve as recommended
FINANCIAL IMPACT
No financial impact is associated with conceptual approval.
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW-UP ACTIONS
N/A
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT
N/A
CONTACT
Jeffrey Warren, REHS, Director, Environmental Management Department