Commercial Properties

A donation container refers to any box, building, trailer, or other receptacle intended to collect donated clothing or household materials.

The Donation Container Program regulates and permits donation containers placed in private open spaces, enhancing accountability for property owners regarding the maintenance, upkeep, servicing, and signage for these containers.

The program helps to:

• reduce illegal dumping practices.
• ensure cleaner areas around donation containers.
• confirm property owners have authorized donation containers on their property.
• promote accountability and responsibility for the maintenance of donation containers by property owners and non-profit organizations.

Registration & Fees

Annual registration fee: $48

NOTE: Permits expire each year on December 31, regardless of the date issued.

Forms & Applications

• Donation Container Permit Application(PDF, 309KB)
• Donation Container Authorization Form(PDF, 154KB)

Ordinance Compliance

The San Antonio City Council unanimously approved the new article of the City Code on October 29, 2009, which became effective on November 8, 2009, to combat illegal dumping.

Affected parties:

• Businesses providing donation containers for clothing and household materials benefiting non-profit organizations.
• Organizations collecting for non-profits.
• Property owners permitting donation containers on their premises.

Penalties for Violations

Violating the ordinance is classified as a Class C misdemeanor, with penalties of up to $500.

Resources

City Code Chapter 16, Article XVIII

The program ensures all metal recycling facilities in San Antonio are:

• inspected on a monthly basis as required by City Code.
• addressed promptly to resolve any violations, especially those impacting life safety.
• investigated thoroughly to ensure that any illegally operating facilities are either properly permitted or shut down.

Registration & Fees

Annual permit fee: $250

After applications are submitted and processed, invoices are distributed.

Forms & Applications

Metal Recycling License Application(PDF, 61KB)

Resources

• Metal Recycling Ordinance(PDF, 2MB)
• City Code Chapter 16 Article VII Division 2

These regulations protect the health and safety of the public.

Registration & Fees

All mattress retailers and germicidal treatment providers in San Antonio must be permitted through the Development Services Department and pay a bi-annual fee as provided by this ordinance.

Biannual fees:

• The initial fee is $220 per location to sell used mattresses.
  • Future registrations for retail permits will be subject to the graduated fee schedule per City ordinance.
• $110 per location for germicidal treatment providers.

Forms & Applications

Complete the appropriate forms for each business location.

• Retail/Sale of Secondhand/Refurbished Mattresses Application(PDF, 186KB)
• Germicidal Treatment Providers Application(PDF, 173KB)

Ordinance Compliance

The San Antonio City Council approved an ordinance amending Chapter 15, Health, of the City Code by adopting secondhand/refurbished mattress consumer protection regulations. This ordinance took effect on March 1, 2016.

Additional Expectations

• Germicidal cleaning of secondhand/refurbished mattresses by approved/registered treatment provider.
• Adequate signage in storefronts to identify sale/rent of secondhand and/or refurbished mattresses.
• Labeling of secondhand/refurbished mattresses indicating compliance with germicidal treatment.
• Signed acknowledgement forms from customers understanding type of mattress purchased.
• A logbook to track treated mattresses by retailer and treatment provider.
• Separate storage of secondhand/refurbished mattresses from new mattresses.
• Secondhand/refurbished mattresses which have not been treated will not be displayed on sales floor.

Resources

Secondhand/Refurbished Mattress Ordinance(PDF, 608KB)

A scrap tire is any tire or part of a tire that can no longer be used for its intended purpose and is being processed for disposal or recycling.

The scrap tire program aims to:

• decrease illegal dumping practices.
• reduce breeding grounds for mosquitoes and rodents.
• deter questionable tire transporters.
• hold scrap tire facility owners accountable for the proper maintenance and transport of used and scrap tires.

Registration & Fees

Scrap tire facilities must be registered to ensure that used and scrap tires are:

• stored appropriately.
• accurately recorded.
• safely transported.
• properly disposed of.

Annual Registration Fee: $250

Invoices will be distributed after applications are submitted and processed.

Forms & Applications

• License Application(PDF, 200KB)
• Customer Request Form(PDF, 19KB)
• Tire Transporter Request Form(PDF, 128KB)

Ordinance Compliance & Exemptions

Effective November 8, 2009, under City Code Chapter 16, Article XVIII, the ordinance regulates businesses that handle scrap tires.

The program applies to any business or establishment that collects, repairs, processes, recycles, scraps, sells, buys, or stores 100 or more scrap tires per year. Compliance with the ordinance is mandatory to ensure proper handling of scrap tires.

Penalties for Violations

Violating the ordinance is considered a Class C misdemeanor, punishable by fines ranging from $100 to $2,000.

Exemptions

• Federal, state, and municipal government departments, branches, or agencies.
• Scrap tires that are landfilled, which are not subject to storage requirements.

Resources

Scrap Tire Ordinance Revision(PDF, 461KB)

The program is designed to ensure that all licensed Used Automotive Parts Recyclers are:

• inspected on a monthly basis as required by City Code.
• addressed promptly to resolve any violations, especially those impacting life safety.
• investigated thoroughly to ensure that any illegally operating facilities are either properly permitted or shut down.

Registration & Fees

Annual permit fee: $575

Forms & Applications

Used Auto Parts Recycler Application(PDF, 61KB)

Resources

• Used Auto Parts Ordinance(PDF, 2MB)
• City Code Chapter 16 Article VII Division 1