RENDERING

San Antonio City Code ch. 13, art. V

in effect

San Antonio City Code § 13-81 Purpose.

Sec. 13-81. - Purpose. The regulations established in this article have been in accordance with a comprehensive plan for the purpose of promoting health, safety, morals and the general welfare of the community. They have been designed to regulate the location, the equipment and the mode of operation of the rendering establishments or business within the city, as defined in this article, for the purpose of protecting the general public as well as the residents of this city from health hazards arising from unsanitary conditions which may exist in conjunction with the operation of rendering establishments. (Ord. No. 2008-05-15-0402, § 1(Att. I), 5-15-08)

San Antonio City Code § 13-82 Nuisance declared and disposal required.

Sec. 13-82. - Nuisance declared and disposal required. All dead animals, dead fowl, dead fish, inedible offal, meat scraps, bones, suet, feathers, unrendered animal fat, waste cooking greases, and similar animal matter located within the city not properly kept under refrigeration or not disposed of as garbage under the provisions of chapter 14 are hereby declared a nuisance and menace to the public health, requiring the prompt collection and disposal thereof under the authority and direction of the director. (Ord. No. 2008-05-15-0402, § 1(Att. I), 5-15-08)

San Antonio City Code § 13-83 Methods of disposal generally.

Sec. 13-83. - Methods of disposal generally. (a) All matter declared a nuisance in section 13-82, which is derived in whole or in part, directly or indirectly, from the carcass or carcasses of any cattle, horses, mules, asses, sheep, goats, hogs, or other livestock, domestic animals or domestic fowl which at the time of death had any disease or diseases shall be disposed of in a manner consistent with state law. (b) All matter declared a nuisance in section 13-82, not covered by subsection (a), shall be turned over or delivered by the owner thereof: (1) Directly to a rendering establishment having a current permit as herein provided in this article; (2) To collector of material for processing, as defined in this article, having a current permit as provided in this article; or (3) To a city sanitary landfill designated by the director. The person having such animals and fowl in his possession and desiring to avail himself of this means of disposal shall contact the department for the location of the sanitary landfill, shall have such animals and fowl transported there at his expense, and shall supply sufficient personnel to unload and place same where designated. (Ord. No. 2008-05-15-0402, § 1(Att. I), 5-15-08)

San Antonio City Code § 13-84 Permit application, fee and requirements for issuance.

Sec. 13-84. - Permit application, fee and requirements for issuance. (a) Every person who is operating or desires to operate a rendering business or any phase thereof, shall immediately make application in writing to the director, upon forms prescribed and furnished by such health officer, for all required permits to operate and do business within the city, and shall pay therefore an annual fee based upon the cost of inspecting the facilities of such rendering business or phase thereof to be computed as prescribed in this article. The annual fee shall include the cost of re-inspecting the facilities as a result of failure to keep such facilities in such a manner as to meet the requirements of this article. No permit shall be issued for any premises which are in violation of the zoning ordinance of the city. (b) The fees shall be computed as follows: (1) The amount for a collector's permit shall be based upon the number of transport vehicles to be inspected, at forty eight dollars ($48.00) per vehicle per year; (2) The amount for a rendering materials storage facility permit shall be ninety dollars ($90.00) per year when such facility is not an integral part of a rendering establishment; (3) The amount for a rendering establishment permit shall be three hundred sixty dollars ($360.00) per year. (c) All fees listed in subsection (b), shall be payable to the city, and shall accompany the application for permit. Permit for operation of a rendering business shall be issued under the corporate seal of the city, shall be signed by the director and shall authorize the person therein named to establish, maintain and operate a rendering business at the place designated in such permits. Such permits shall expire one year from the month of original issuance or renewal, and shall be renewed in each successive year thereafter. (d) Following the receipt of an application for a permit and proof that the required annual fee has been paid, the director will conduct such investigation as he deems necessary to determine whether the applicant's premises, personnel and equipment are proper and adequate for the services proposed or offered. Upon a determination by the director that the applicant has met the requirements of this chapter, he will issue the applicant the appropriate permit. The collector's rendering materials, storage facility, and/or rendering establishment permit will be displayed upon the wall of the main office located upon the premises for which the permit is issued. Should the application for permit be denied, three-fourths (¾) of the fee will be returned. (Ord. No. 2008-05-15-0402, § 1(Att. I), 5-15-08; Ord. No. 2008-09-11-0777C, § 1, 9-11-08; Ord. No. 2019-09-12-0694A, § 1(Att. H), 9-12-19)

San Antonio City Code § 13-85 Use of streets, etc., for private disposition prohibited.

Sec. 13-85. - Use of streets, etc., for private disposition prohibited. It shall be unlawful for any person not having a current collector's permit issued pursuant to this article to use the streets, alleys or avenues of the city for the purpose of collecting, removing or transporting animal matter declared a nuisance in section 13-82. (Ord. No. 2008-05-15-0402, § 1(Att. I), 5-15-08)

San Antonio City Code § 13-86 Operation of a rendering establishment without a permit prohibited.

Sec. 13-86. - Operation of a rendering establishment without a permit prohibited. It shall be unlawful for any owner, operator, or person in charge at the time to operate a rendering establishment within the city without having a current rendering establishment permit issued pursuant to this chapter. A separate permit is required for each premises. (Ord. No. 2008-05-15-0402, § 1(Att. I), 5-15-08)

San Antonio City Code § 13-87 Operation of a storage facility for materials to be rendered without a permit prohibited.

Sec. 13-87. - Operation of a storage facility for materials to be rendered without a permit prohibited. It shall be unlawful for any owner, operator, or person in charge at the time to engage in the rendering business by maintaining, operating or causing to be operated any separate premises as a facility where animal matter, declared to be a nuisance in section 13-82, is collected or stored pending further processing or disposal unless the aforesaid separate premises has a current rendering materials storage facility permit issued pursuant to this chapter or is an integral part of a currently permitted rendering establishment. A separate permit is required for each premises requiring a rendering materials storage facility permit. (Ord. No. 2008-05-15-0402, § 1(Att. I), 5-15-08)

San Antonio City Code § 13-88 Operation of transport vehicle without meeting certain requirements prohibited.

Sec. 13-88. - Operation of transport vehicle without meeting certain requirements prohibited. It shall be unlawful for any person to operate or to cause another to operate a transport vehicle upon the roads, highways, streets, alleys, or avenues within the city for the purpose of collecting, removing, or transporting animal matter declared a nuisance in section 13-82, unless said transport vehicle is covered by a current collector's permit and meets the requirements for such vehicles set forth in this chapter. (Ord. No. 2008-05-15-0402, § 1(Att. I), 5-15-08)

San Antonio City Code § 13-89 Rendering business creating offenses or becoming nuisances.

Sec. 13-89. - Rendering business creating offenses or becoming nuisances. It shall be unlawful for any person to operate a rendering business or any phase thereof within the city unless the rendering business or phase thereof shall at all times be so conducted as to create no offense or nuisance. (Ord. No. 2008-05-15-0402, § 1(Att. I), 5-15-08)

San Antonio City Code § 13-90 Nuisances defined in connection with rendering businesses.

Sec. 13-90. - Nuisances defined in connection with rendering businesses. Any, all or any combination of the following conditions or places within the city are hereby specifically declared to be a nuisance dangerous to public health punishable as such, and shall be abated. (1) Any condition or place allowed to exist which permits any dangerous, unwholesome, nauseous, or offensive odors, gases or fumes to escape into the open air in such amounts as to be substantially offensive, uncomfortable and annoying to any community, family, or person or ordinary sensibilities, tastes, and habits at a distance of more than two hundred (200) feet from the building, premises, or processing area where such odors, gases or fumes emanated; (2) Any condition or place allowed to exist which constitutes a breeding place for flies; (3) Any condition or place allowed to exist where sewage, sewerage, human excreta, waste water, garbage, or any other matter is deposited, stored, discharged, or exposed in such a way as to be a potential instrument or medium in the transmission of disease to or between any person or persons; (4) Any condition or place allowed to exist, harboring rats; (5) Any condition or place allowed to exist which may be proven to injuriously affect the public health; or (6) Any collection of water in which mosquitoes are breeding. (Ord. No. 2008-05-15-0402, § 1(Att. I), 5-15-08)

San Antonio City Code § 13-91 Construction and general layout of processing areas of rendering business.

Sec. 13-91. - Construction and general layout of processing areas of rendering business. (a) All processing areas of rendering businesses shall have sufficient space for the conduct in a sanitary manner of operations carried on therein; for the installation of necessary utility equipment; and for the installation of processing equipment in such a manner that such equipment shall be easily accessible for cleaning. (b) All processing areas of rendering businesses shall be constructed in accordance with the subsequent applicable provisions of these regulations so as to be easily maintained in a sanitary condition and to prevent harborage areas for rodents, roaches and other vermin. (c) All processing areas of rendering businesses shall be in a closed building which is constructed in accordance with this chapter and shall be kept clean and in good repair. (d) All raw materials shall be received into, unloaded and/or stored in a closed room or area immediately upon arrival at the processing area. (e) Storage facilities for finished products shall be located, constructed and maintained so as to prevent contamination of finished products by materials for rendering- entering into and processed through the rendering establishment. Storage facilities for finished products shall be separate from receiving and processing areas. Any opening between receiving or processing areas and storage areas shall be equipped with tight fitting self-closing completely metal clad doors which shall be maintained in good working order. There shall be no direct openings between areas where materials for rendering are received and prepared for processing and the storage areas for finished products. (f) Hide storage shall be separate from material for rendering and finished product areas and all openings between these areas shall be provided with self-closing doors. (g) A paved area constructed of concrete or other equally impervious material adequate in size and provided with adequate drains in good working order leading to a sanitary sewer system shall be provided and used for the washing of transport vehicles. This area shall be provided with adequate supply of hot water of 180°F or other suitable cleaning and sanitization provision for transport vehicles. (h) A paved area constructed of concrete or other equally impervious material adequate in size and provided with adequate drains in good working order leading to a sanitary sewer shall be provided at the unloading area for materials for rendering and any other area where spillage of raw, finished or waste products is likely to occur. Said areas shall be provided with an adequate supply of hot water of 180°F or other suitable cleaning and sanitization provisions. (Ord. No. 2008-05-15-0402, § 1(Att. I), 5-15-08)

San Antonio City Code § 13-92 Transport vehicles.

Sec. 13-92. - Transport vehicles. (a) The beds of all transport vehicles used in hauling materials for processing, as defined in this ordinance, on public streets shall be completely enclosed with fixed tight fitting top, sides and ends, The transport vehicle bed, top, sides and ends shall be constructed of impervious material which can be easily cleaned and sanitized and shall be leak proof. (b) All transport vehicles used on the roads, highways, streets, alleys or avenues within the city to haul materials for processing shall be identified on each side of the transport vehicle as follows: (1) Name of company in letters at least three (3) inches high and three-quarters of an inch (¾") depth. (2) The words "inedible" in letters at least two (2) inches high and three-eighths of an inch (⅜") depth on the panel as in subsection (a). (c) All vehicles used to transport finished products shall be properly cleaned and sanitized before usage. (Ord. No. 2008-05-15-0402, § 1(Att. I), 5-15-08)

San Antonio City Code § 13-93 Premises.

Sec. 13-93. - Premises. (a) The premises shall be kept in a clean, neat condition and shall be free of rodent infestation, of places conducive to insect breeding and of unwarranted collection of refuse, waste material and other objectionable conditions; provided, that for the purposes of this section, the premises shall be deemed to include the back, front and side yards of property occupied by the processing phase of a rendering business, docks and areas where vehicles are loaded or unloaded; driveways, approaches, pens, and alleys; and buildings or portions of buildings which are part of such establishments even though not used for processing purposes. (b) Loose lumber and other building or salvage materials shall be stored in an orderly manner at least eighteen (18) inches above the ground; non-salvageable materials shall be removed from the premises. (c) The premises shall be well drained and shall be so maintained that there are no pools of standing water. (Ord. No. 2008-05-15-0402, § 1(Att. I), 5-15-08)

San Antonio City Code § 13-94 Floors.

Sec. 13-94. - Floors. (a) Floors in processing areas shall be smooth, in good repair and kept clean. (b) Floors in all rooms or areas where processing is done or where utensils are washed shall be constructed of good quality concrete or equally impervious and easily cleanable material. All surfaces of such floors shall be graded to drain to floor drains in good working order which shall be trapped in accordance with the Uniform Plumbing Code as adopted by the city and which shall be connected to a sanitary sewer. There shall be a minimum of one floor drain to each four hundred (400) square feet of floor area. Gutters, if used to conduct such drainage, shall be so constructed and located as to be easily cleanable; in such case floors shall be properly graded to drain to such gutters and said gutters shall be provided with traps, cleanouts and vents as required by the Uniform Plumbing Code as adopted by the city. (c) During operations the floors in processing areas shall be kept free of any accumulation of processing wastes, including blood, manure, scraps, grease, water, dirt and litter. When processing is conducted at short irregular intervals, such processing wastes shall be removed from floors and properly disposed of immediately following each individual period of processing. Such floors shall be thoroughly cleaned at a minimum of at least once for each 24-hour period. (d) Floors in all rooms and areas where finished products are stored, handled, ground, or bagged shall be constructed of good quality concrete or other equally impervious material. Such floors shall be kept in good repair and kept clean. (Ord. No. 2008-05-15-0402, § 1(Att. I), 5-15-08)

San Antonio City Code § 13-95 Walls, ceilings, partitions, and posts.

Sec. 13-95. - Walls, ceilings, partitions, and posts. (a) Walls, partitions, posts, ceilings and exposed overhead structures of all rooms and areas shall be kept clean and in good repair. (b) Those sections of walls, partitions, posts, ceilings and exposed overhead structures in processing areas which become soiled during processing shall be thoroughly cleaned at least once in each 24-hour period. (c) Walls, partitions and posts in all processing areas shall be finished with smooth, washable, surfaces of concrete, cement-plaster, or other equally impervious and easily cleanable material. (d) Interior walls separating one room or area from another shall extend from the floor to the ceiling. Such walls shall be free from openings except for necessary doorways equipped with tight fitting self-closing completely metal clad doors, and necessary openings for conveyors. (e) All outer walls and roofs and openings therein shall be protected against the entrance and harborage of rodents, and insects. (Ord. No. 2008-05-15-0402, § 1(Att. I), 5-15-08)

San Antonio City Code § 13-96 Doors, windows and openings.

Sec. 13-96. - Doors, windows and openings. (a) All outside doors and openings shall be effectively protected at all times against the entrance of insects, rodents and other vermin. (b) All outside doors shall be completely metal clad and shall be tight fitting and in good working order. (c) Screens when used shall be tight fitting, kept clean, in good repair, and of not less than sixteen (16) meshes to the square inch. (d) All interior doors shall be tight fitting, completely metal clad, and self-closing and in good working order. (e) Doors and windows shall be kept clean and in good repair. (Ord. No. 2008-05-15-0402, § 1(Att. I), 5-15-08)

San Antonio City Code § 13-97 Toilet, shower, and dressing rooms

Sec. 13-97. - Toilet, shower, and dressing rooms (a) Well-located and properly separated toilet and dressing room facilities are required for employees of each sex. Each employee shall be provided with a metal locker at least fifteen (15) inches × eighteen (18) inches × sixty (60) inches. The lockers shall be raised at least sixteen (16) inches above the floor on legs or other suitable supports. The lockers shall have sloping tops. (b) The minimum size of any dressing room shall be at least eight (8) feet × ten (10) feet for a maximum of four (4) employees. Ten (10) square feet per man shall be provided for each additional man over four (4) and through ten (10). Five (5) square feet per man shall be provided for each additional man over ten (10). (c) Dressing rooms shall be separated from adjoining toilet rooms by tight full-height walls or partitions. Toilet rooms and dressing rooms shall have solid, close fitting, self-closing doors and in good working order. (d) Water closets, lavatories and showers in good working order shall be provided for each sex according to the Uniform Plumbing Code as adopted by the city plumbing code. (e) A supply of toilet paper with holder shall be provided and maintained at every water closet. (f) Lavatories in good working order shall be provided and maintained with hot and cold water under pressure and an adequate supply of soap and individual hand towels shall be maintained. (g) Showers in good working order shall be provided and maintained with hot and cold water under pressure and an adequate supply of soap and individual towels shall be maintained. The provisions of a towel for general or common use shall be prohibited. (h) The floors and walls of toilet rooms and dressing rooms shall be of impervious material and the floor shall be pitched about one-eighth-inch per foot to properly located floor drains in good working order. Such rooms shall be provided and maintained with adequate lighting and good ventilation. (i) Employee toilet and dressing rooms shall be separated from other areas of the establishment by walls extending from the floor to the ceiling and shall be constructed in accordance with this article. (Ord. No. 2008-05-15-0402, § 1(Att. I), 5-15-08)

San Antonio City Code § 13-98 Water supply.

Sec. 13-98. - Water supply. (a) The water supply of each rendering business shall be from a public water supply; or shall be from a private source complying with the requirements of the Safe Drinking Water Act, with the exceptions as provided in subsection (b). (b) There shall be no physical connection between the rendering business' water supply and any unsafe or questionable supply. The use of water from any such unsafe or questionable supply shall be permitted only for limited purposes such as fire control or condensers. In all cases supply lines for unsafe or questionable water shall be clearly identified. (c) Hot and cold water shall be conveniently accessible to all parts of the establishment. Such water shall be under ample pressure and shall be available through such outlets and in such quantities as may be necessary to meet effectively the needs of the establishment at all times. (d) The hot water system shall have sufficient capacity to furnish ample water with a temperature of at least 180°F during all periods of processing and clean-up operations. (Ord. No. 2008-05-15-0402, § 1(Att. I), 5-15-08)

San Antonio City Code § 13-99 Plumbing and related facilities.

Sec. 13-99. - Plumbing and related facilities. (a) The plumbing system in each rendering business shall be installed in compliance with this Code. (b) All outlets and connections to fixtures and equipment shall be so installed as to prevent backflow into the water-distribution system. (c) Plant sewer lines shall be separate from toilet sewer lines to a point outside the building. (d) Where necessary to prevent discharge into the sewage collection system of solid wastes likely to clog the system, the liquid wastes containing such solid materials shall be passed through a separator or indirect waste receptor which shall effectively retain such solids prior to discharge into the sewage collection system. (e) All overhead drain lines and piping shall be so located and installed or so protected that leakage and condensation therefrom will not drip upon employees, processing equipment, utensils, finished product, or floors in working areas. (f) Drinking water facilities of a sanitary type shall be provided and maintained in good working order in the establishment and shall be so located as to be convenient for use by employees. (Ord. No. 2008-05-15-0402, § 1(Att. I), 5-15-08)

San Antonio City Code § 13-100 Disposal of wastes.

Sec. 13-100. - Disposal of wastes. (a) All wastes shall be handled and disposed of in a manner which will prevent contamination of the water supply, processing equipment, packaging materials, containers, and finished products. (b) All liquid wastes shall receive such treatment as may be required by the state department of state health services and shall be disposed of in a manner approved and permitted by the state commission on environmental quality. (c) Containers shall be used for the collection and holding of solid wastes and shall be kept covered or otherwise protected at all times so that such wastes shall not be accessible to flies, rodents, other vermin or otherwise create a nuisance. (d) Solid wastes shall be disposed of daily by burial. Such burial shall be in accordance with sanitary landfill operations as prescribed by the state commission on environmental quality. (e) No material for rendering, waste product, offal, polluting material, tallow, spent chemical, liquids, or other wastes of any kind shall be stored, deposited or disposed of in any manner as may cause pollution of the surrounding land. (f) Drinking water facilities of a sanitary type shall be provided and maintained in good working order in the establishment and shall be so located as to be convenient for use by employees. (Ord. No. 2008-05-15-0402, § 1(Att. I), 5-15-08)

San Antonio City Code § 13-101 Ventilation.

Sec. 13-101. - Ventilation. (a) An adequate ventilation system shall be provided and maintained in good working order in a rendering establishment to collect odors, condensates and vapors. (b) The ventilation collecting system described in this section, shall discharge the collected odors into a treatment system which; will remove odorous matter sufficiently to meet the requirements of this article. (c) Employee toilet rooms and dressing rooms shall be adequately vented to the outside air. If such venting be provided by a window, the window shall be provided with a tight fitting screen of not less than sixteen (16) meshes to the square inch. (d) Space heaters, gas stoves and water heaters shall be vented in accordance with this Code. (Ord. No. 2008-05-15-0402, § 1(Att. I), 5-15-08)

San Antonio City Code § 13-102 Control of odors.

Sec. 13-102. - Control of odors. (a) Rendering cooker odors shall not be released or emitted into the atmosphere in concentration which will cause a nuisance, as defined in section 13-90. (b) All rendering cooker odors shall be collected whereby the odors are collected and passed through scrubbers or condensers; condensibles so removed by the scrubbers or condensers shall be disposed of into a sanitary sewer in accordance with this Code; the non-condensibles discharged from such scrubbers or condensers shall be collected and discharged to direct flame incineration. (Ord. No. 2008-05-15-0402, § 1(Att. I), 5-15-08)

San Antonio City Code § 13-103 Equipment and utensils.

Sec. 13-103. - Equipment and utensils. (a) Equipment and utensils in rendering businesses shall be constructed of impervious materials, so designed and fabricated as to facilitate cleaning, so located or placed as to be readily accessible for cleaning, and shall be kept clean and in good repair. (b) Equipment utilized in handling and processing of materials for rendering shall not be used in connection with finished products or in the finished products room or area. (Ord. No. 2008-05-15-0402, § 1(Att. I), 5-15-08)

San Antonio City Code § 13-104 Cleanliness of personnel.

Sec. 13-104. - Cleanliness of personnel. (a) Persons who engage in rendering businesses shall, while thus engaged, wear washable outer garments such as uniforms, coats, aprons, or coveralls, and shall wear caps or other washable head covering. If gloves are worn, they shall be of easily cleanable material. When such persons change their activity within a rendering establishment from one operation to another, suitable change of garments and personal clean-up shall be made so as to prevent contamination of finished products. (b) Persons who engage in rendering businesses shall begin each day's work with clean clothing. Suitable receptacles shall be provided to receive soiled clothing. Such clothing shall not be reworn before being laundered. (Ord. No. 2008-05-15-0402, § 1(Att. I), 5-15-08)

San Antonio City Code § 13-105 Operating procedures.

Sec. 13-105. - Operating procedures. (a) Operating procedures of rendering establishments shall be such as to produce finished products which are protected from cross contamination by materials for rendering entering such establishments. (b) All material for rendering received on the rendering business premises shall be placed in the materials for rendering storage room immediately upon receipt. All materials for rendering shall be received into, unloaded and/or stored in a closed room or area immediately upon arrival at the rendering establishment. (c) All materials for rendering received by the rendering business shall be rendered within twenty-four (24) hours of receipt; provided that; dry or other non-odorous material may be stored within the materials for rendering storage room for a period not to exceed forty-eight (48) hours, if so stored as to prevent a nuisance and/or development of a malodorous condition. (d) Collection vehicles used within the rendering business shall be washed and sanitized at least once in each 24-hour period. (e) Adult flies shall be controlled, and places conducive to fly breeding and/or fly development shall be eliminated. (f) All metal drums or reusable containers utilized in the collection of materials for rendering shall be thoroughly washed, scrubbed and sanitized immediately upon emptying. All cleaned and sanitized containers shall be stored inside. (Ord. No. 2008-05-15-0402, § 1(Att. I), 5-15-08)

Source: City of San Antonio, City Code, City Charter and Unified Development Code (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/tx/san_antonio/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=PTIICO_CH13FOFOHA_ARTVREFetched: 10/27/2026