Who hauls the debris from a Lomita remodel now?

If you’re adding conditioned space before selling, or buying a Lomita home with a remodel planned, settle the debris hauling arrangement before work begins. Under Ordinance No. 901, a covered project uses either the city-franchised hauler or a licensed contractor with a project hauling permit who posts a $1,000 refundable deposit. The recycling target rises to at least 65 of every 100 pounds of debris.

This explains the rule and is not tax or legal advice.

What changed, and where does the ordinance stand?

Ordinance No. 901 establishes a construction and demolition hauling permit and deposit for non-city-franchised haulers; it was introduced October 6, 2026 and was on the October 20, 2026 agenda for adoption.

As of October 21, 2026: the Lomita City Council held a public hearing and introduced Ordinance No. 901 on October 6, 2026, and adopted Resolution No. 2026-51 setting the deposit and appeal fee. Second reading and adoption of the ordinance were on the October 20, 2026 agenda; the minutes of that meeting were not yet posted. The ordinance takes effect 30 days after adoption, and the fee resolution 60 days after its adoption.

Check the packets and subsequent meeting record through the city agenda portal. Being on the adoption agenda isn’t confirmation of adoption.

The ordinance raises the diversion requirement to reuse or recycling of at least 65 of every 100 pounds of debris, up from half under the old text. Staff described missing documentation from private self-haulers as the reason for recommending a refundable deposit.

Which projects are covered?

New residential units, residential additions or alterations that increase conditioned area, volume or size, and all demolition projects requiring a demolition permit are covered.

Nonresidential interior renovations over 750 square feet that need a building permit are also covered. All phases and related projects on single or adjoining parcels count as a single covered project. Ask about the whole scope when discussing your permit.

An addition that increases conditioned area is covered. If you’re planning an ADU, read the ADU guide and ask the city whether it is treated as a new residential unit under this chapter.

Projects requiring only a plumbing, electrical or mechanical permit are not covered. Neither are projects that generate no recyclable materials or construction and demolition waste, or emergency work to protect public health or safety. Non-covered projects are encouraged to divert debris.

An applicant can request an infeasibility exemption when submitting the waste management plan. The Community and Economic Development Director may excuse the project or reduce its diversion requirement if the required findings are made.

What goes into the waste management plan?

A covered project’s waste management plan, or WMP, must accompany the building or demolition permit application.

The amount of detail depends on who removes the debris. If the city-franchised waste hauler will handle all of it, the WMP only needs to say so. For a contractor who self-hauls, the plan must list estimated amounts, what can be diverted, what will go to a landfill and the facility.

A denied WMP stops processing of the building or demolition permit until a revised plan is approved. That makes the hauling decision part of permit preparation.

Before submitting, ask your contractor to identify the hauling route and confirm that the WMP matches it. A general promise to recycle doesn’t supply the amounts and destination required for self-hauling.

Can your contractor haul the debris?

Your contractor can use the self-hauling route if it meets the ordinance’s definition and obtains the required project permit and City business license.

A self-hauler is a licensed contractor performing work within the scope of its license and removing debris with its own or leased equipment. The hauling permit is specific to the project and cannot be transferred.

Residents must use a permitted construction and demolition hauler or a city-franchised waste hauler for covered projects. The staff report identifies Athens Services as the current franchised hauler and says Athens is responsible for verifying diversion of at least 65 of every 100 pounds when it is used.

Choosing that route keeps the WMP simple. Choosing a contractor who self-hauls brings the project permit, deposit and reporting duties into the arrangement.

How do the deposit, reports and refund work?

The self-hauling deposit is $1,000, paid before the hauling permit issues and refundable after the city verifies compliance.

The staff report says a $131 self-hauler permit fee already exists. Resolution No. 2026-51 sets the deposit and a separate $131 appeal fee. Keep the refundable deposit distinct from those fees when reviewing the contractor’s paperwork.

Every three months, the hauler must submit a WMP compliance report under penalty of perjury, with weights and receipts or weight tickets. Within 30 calendar days after completion, the hauler must submit a Recycling and Waste Reduction Final Compliance Report.

The city then issues a written determination that includes the deposit amount to be refunded. Payment goes to whoever paid the deposit unless the city receives written authorization to pay someone else.

Say an owner plans an addition that increases conditioned space in Lomita and chooses a licensed contractor to self-haul. Before work begins, the owner asks who would pay the $1,000 deposit and keep the weight tickets under the ordinance. The contractor would need to submit reports every three months and the final report within 30 calendar days after completion. If the owner pays the deposit, the refund would go to the owner after city verification unless the city receives written authorization to pay someone else.

What happens if the reports are missing?

Missing required reports can put the hauler out of compliance, exposing the deposit to forfeiture and the permit to revocation.

The ordinance says failure to comply will result in deposit forfeiture and permit revocation at the official’s discretion. A probation notice gives at least 30 calendar days to cure the problem. A hauler whose permit is revoked cannot obtain a new permit for three years.

Any determination by the WMP compliance official may be appealed in writing to the City Manager within 15 days. The appeal fee is due when filed, and the City Manager’s decision is final.

What should you ask before hiring the contractor?

Ask who will haul, who will pay the deposit and who will file the reports.

Get specific answers:

• Will Athens Services handle all debris, or will a licensed contractor self-haul?
• Who obtains the project hauling permit and pays the deposit?
• Who keeps weight tickets and files the recurring and final reports?
• Who receives the refund, and is written authorization needed to direct it elsewhere?

These questions connect the hauling choice to the paperwork needed to finish the project. Ask them before treating debris removal as a settled part of the job.

What should a buyer or seller keep?

Keep the final compliance paperwork with the project’s permit records.

For a seller completing work before listing, that means retaining the WMP, hauling permit where applicable, reports and written refund determination together. The pre-listing inspection guide can help with broader preparation; debris records belong with the documents for the work.

If you’re buying and work will continue after closing, ask which reports have been filed and who remains responsible for the final submission. Confirm who paid the deposit and who is designated to receive it.

Questions about existing work also belong alongside your review of unpermitted work disclosures.

The short version

A covered Lomita project needs a clear hauling choice and a WMP under Ordinance No. 901.

Check adoption and timing through the agenda portal. Then confirm the hauler, deposit payer, reporting responsibility and refund recipient before work starts. Keep the final compliance record with the permits, especially if a sale is approaching.

For a starting point on your property’s value, use the home value tool.