The short answer
In Pasadena, permitted projects must divert at least 75% of construction debris from the landfill under Municipal Code Chapter 8.62. That covers residential remodels valued at $20,000 or more, all residential additions, all new structures and all demolitions. In unincorporated LA County areas like Altadena, county rules apply. Statewide, CALGreen sets a 65% minimum. Smaller jobs and leftover debris can be hauled by a junk removal crew.
Does your Pasadena project fall under the C&D ordinance?
Pasadena's construction and demolition debris rule is Chapter 8.62 of the Pasadena Municipal Code. It applies to permitted projects, so the question is what your permit covers.
If your project is on this list, plan for the ordinance before the permit is issued. The city page says the project has to be submitted for approval first.
- All new structures
- All residential additions
- Residential remodels valued at $20,000 or more
- All demolitions
- Non-residential additions of 1,000 sq ft or more, and some tenant improvements
What Pasadena requires: 75% diversion and a deposit
Covered projects must divert at least 75% of their waste through recycling, salvage or deconstruction. You track it in Green Halo, the city's online system, and you pick one or more facilities from the city's Authorized Facilities List. Weight tickets get uploaded during the project.
There is also a deposit, plus a separate non-refundable Administrative Review Fee. The deposit comes back after city staff approve your compliance report. The city page says the deposit is forfeited if the city never receives your Request for Refund form, so don't skip that last step.
| Permit type | Deposit (per the city page) |
|---|---|
| Building permit | Greater of $1,000 or 3% of project valuation, up to $30,000 |
| Demolition permit | Greater of $1,000 or $1 per square foot, up to $30,000 |
“I used their service to get rid of trash from a bathroom remodel and they were great!”
Altadena and other unincorporated LA County areas
If you live in an unincorporated area, like Altadena or Hacienda Heights, LA County Public Works sets the rules, not a city. The county adopted its C&D ordinance on January 4, 2005, at 50%.
The county page says Public Works currently enforces 65% for C&D debris. It also says an updated ordinance raising mixed C&D to 70% and soil to 100% was to be implemented as of August 19, 2024. The page is not consistent about which rate is in effect, so confirm with Public Works before you plan your haul.
Covered projects apply for a Recycle Reuse Plan on EPIC-LA and pay a deposit that is refunded once compliance is confirmed. All weight tickets are due within 45 days of the estimated project end date. The county lists a penalty of up to $50,000 for missing weight tickets.
CALGreen: the 65% statewide floor
California's Green Building Standards Code (CALGreen) Section 4.408 requires residential projects to recycle or salvage at least 65% of their nonhazardous construction and demolition waste. A stricter local ordinance, like Pasadena's 75%, takes its place where it applies.
CALGreen gives three ways to show compliance. Your contractor or building department will tell you which one your project uses.
- A waste management plan that lists what gets diverted and where it goes
- A waste management company approved by the building department that documents the diversion rate
- A disposal-weight option: no more than 3.4 pounds of landfilled waste per square foot of building area
What this means if you're a homeowner
On a permitted remodel, the diversion paperwork usually sits with whoever pulled the permit. If that's your contractor, ask them how they're handling Green Halo or the county plan before demo starts.
If you pulled the permit yourself, the paperwork is yours. Pick your hauling method and facilities first, then keep every weight ticket.
Debris from small jobs that don't need a permit still has to go somewhere. Pasadena's free bulky pickup does not take construction materials, dirt or sand, so you need to haul it yourself or hire someone.
Getting a debris pile ready for pickup
A little prep keeps the price honest and the job quick. None of this is required, but it helps.
If you're on a permitted job with diversion rules, check with whoever holds the permit before anything leaves the site, so weight tickets and facilities line up with the plan.
- Keep debris in one area if you can, like the driveway, side yard or garage
- Set aside anything you're keeping, like spare tile, fixtures or lumber
- Tell us what's in the pile: drywall, wood, tile, cabinets, flooring. Heavy materials change the price
- Send photos from a couple of angles so the size is clear
- Note stairs, long carries or tight side yards
How Roa Solution Junk Removal hauls remodel debris
Roa Solution Junk Removal is an owner-operated junk removal company based in Pasadena. We haul construction debris from remodels, repairs and cleanouts: old drywall, wood, cabinets, flooring, fixtures and the pile in the side yard. We load it from wherever it sits, so you don't have to drag it to the curb.
Pricing starts at $250 and depends on truck space, materials, weight, access and labor. Debris is heavy, so weight matters more here than on a furniture pickup. Text photos to (562) 219-9266 and Isaiah will send a price. Same-day or next-day pickup depends on availability.
We don't file diversion reports, Green Halo entries or county recycling plans for you. If your permit needs documented diversion, sort that out with your contractor or the city before you book.
Contractors and roofers send us repeat work
Contractors and roofers call us for jobs they don't want to haul themselves. Vincent F., who runs a roofing business, said it this way on Google: "He and his guys are my go-to choice with my Roof biz customers."
If you're a contractor with a job wrapping up in Pasadena or the San Gabriel Valley, text the address and a few photos. We can usually tell you quickly when we can be there.
Sources
- City of Pasadena: Construction and Demolition Debris Recycling
- LA County Public Works: Construction and Demolition Debris Recycling
- CALGreen Section 4.408: Construction Waste Reduction, Disposal and Recycling
- City of Pasadena: Residential Recycling and Refuse Services
Rules change. Check the city or county page before you rely on a limit, fee or date.