DPH proposes new refuse-collection licensing and route permits as Treasure Island housing nears occupancy

The Department of Public Health presented draft rules and regulations on Dec. 15 to govern refuse-collection licenses and route permits under the city’s 1932 refuse ordinance (Health Code Article 6), citing the need to establish administrative procedures ahead of new residential occupancy at Yerba Buena and Treasure Island.

Veronica Slatengren, who manages the Solid Waste Program within DPH’s Environmental Health Branch, explained the rules will clarify definitions, application timelines and permit conditions. DPH’s proposed process would evaluate a refuse-collector license within 30 days (with a five‑day window to request a pre-review meeting); permit applications for routes would be evaluated within 30 days and include a director’s hearing with an independent hearing officer before a final determination.

Slatengren said the rules are administrative, not a contract or franchise process. The department noted 97 historical routes in the 1932 ordinance and that many route permits were originally issued to subsidiaries of Recology (Recology Golden Gate and Recology Sunset Scavenger). She also said Treasure Island/Yerba Buena are recognized in the ordinance as Route 97 and Route 97A and that private occupancy expected in 2022 creates the immediate need for permitting and licensing procedures.

Deputy City Attorney Valerie Lopez told commissioners that because the 1932 ordinance was adopted by voter approval, any substantive change to the ordinance would require placement on a ballot for voter consideration — a timeline likely too short to enact before early 2022 occupancy. DPH said it has begun outreach to the Office of Small Business, Office of Economic and Workforce Development and regional refuse collectors to publicize the draft rules and the Dec. 29 public‑comment deadline.

The Health Commission will consider the draft rules again on Jan. 4 if no substantive changes are required by public comment. Commissioners asked DPH to specify permit-term options, oversight and inspection details and to continue outreach to potential applicants.

Next steps: Draft rules were posted Nov. 29; public comment period runs through Dec. 29. The Health Commission expects to vote on Jan. 4, 2022 if no substantive revisions are required.