WRECKING YARDS AND AUTO DISMANTLING.
Fresno Municipal Code § 15-2768
in effectSEC. 15-2768. - WRECKING YARDS AND AUTO DISMANTLING.
Wrecking Yards may be permitted subject to the following standards:
A. Existing Facilities. Existing facilities established prior to January 24, 2006 may continue to operate subject to the following conditions:
1. Compliance with all Conditions of Project Approval per the pertinent entitlement.
2. If an entitlement was not required per zoning regulations, the applicant shall provide evidence, satisfactory to the Director, that the facility:
a. Was established prior to January 24, 2006 and that the use has been in continuous use;
b. The site has had a valid business license since January 24, 2006; and
c. The site does not have any outstanding items from Code Enforcement.
B. New Facilities.
1. Minimum Lot Size. Five acres.
2. Location. There shall be a minimum setback of 300 feet from property planned or zoned for:
a. Residential Uses;
b. Office Uses;
c. An integrated commercial shopping center;
d. Passenger rail; or
e. A freeway, unless the freeway is depressed a minimum 10 feet from the natural grade of the subject site and there is a six-foot masonry screen wall.
3. Landscaping and Screening.
a. There shall be a minimum 10 foot landscape area along all streets, unless a greater setback is required in this Code or operative plan.
b. A Screening Wall, per Section 15-2008-C of seven feet in height shall be provided along all property lines. The Screen Wall shall be located at the rear of required landscaping along streets, including freeways, if applicable.
c. Graffiti along perimeter Screen Walls shall be removed within 48 hours.
d. Additional screening and landscaping, as determined by the Director may be required where necessary to prevent visual impacts on adjacent properties.
4. Lighting. Refer to Section 15-2015, Outdoor Lighting and Illumination.
5. Parking. Refer to Article 24, Parking and Loading.
6. Paving. All storage and production areas shall be paved per:
a. Public Works Standards for Parking Lots, or
b. The surfacing shall consist of a minimum of two inches of asphalt concrete or three inches of road-mixed asphalt surfacing over native soil compacted in accordance with Public Works Standards. An alternative soil stabilizing agent may be applied and maintained, in lieu of asphalt concrete or road-mixed asphalt surfacing if approved in writing by the Public Works Director.
7. Operational Requirements.
a. There shall be no loading/unloading of vehicles in the public right-of-way or within customer parking areas.
b. Vehicles and/or materials may only be stored within designated areas.
c. Stacked vehicles, or material, such as tires, shall not exceed 10 feet in height.
d. Tires must be stored in a manner that does not facilitate the breeding of mosquitoes.
e. Machinery and equipment shall not exceed 25 feet in height. Any equipment greater than 10 feet in height shall be setback a minimum of 200 from all property lines.
f. Crushing operations shall not occur on Sundays or California Holidays.
g. No automobile repair or installation of parts shall occur on the site.
h. The main yard entrance gate shall remain closed when not in operation. The main gate shall not allow visibility into the site.
i. Operations shall comply with all applicable Environmental Protection Agency regulations.
8. Infrastructure Requirements.
a. Off-site improvements may be required by the City.
b. The facility shall be served by a public sewer system. Private septic sewer systems are prohibited.
c. Adequate facilities and infrastructure shall be provided for fire protection as determined by the City.
9. Hazardous Materials Plan. Prior to operating, the owner or operator shall submit a Hazardous Materials Plan to the Planning Department. The Plan shall explain the processing and storage procedures of potentially hazardous materials such as oil, antifreeze, gas, wiper fluid, and used tires.
(Added Ord. 2015-39, § 1, eff. 1-9-16).
Source: City of Fresno, California, Municipal Code and City Charter (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/ca/fresno/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=MUCOCHFRCA_CH15CIDECOINRE_PTIIIREAPSOALDI_ART27STSPUSAC_S15-2768WRYAAUDIFetched: 11/1/2026