El Dorado County Supervisors approve bear box ordinance

In an attempt to keep trash contained and not easy for wildlife to access, the El Dorado County Board of Supervisors approved a new ordinance Tuesday that has rules for single family residents, multi-unit complexes, businesses and vacation home rentals (VHRs).

The ordinance affects those living in the unincorporated area of the Lake Tahoe Basin, including Meyers and Tahoma.

There will be progressive enforcement by the El Dorado County Environmental Management Department:

1. First offense: the owner, resident, person, or business will receive a written warning notifying them of these requirements and explaining that future infractions will lead to monetary penalties.
2. Second offense: the owner, resident, person, or business will receive a written notice of these requirements and a monetary penalty not to exceed $200 per violation.
3. Third offense: the owner, resident, person, or business will receive a written notice of these requirements and a monetary penalty not to exceed $400 per violation.
4. Subsequent offenses: the maximum penalty will increase by $200.00 per violation for each subsequent offense.

If the violator installs a bear box within 90 days of the violation their fine will be waived.

Businesses and multi-family units must have a dumpster or approved bear-proof garbage can enclosure with the ability to lock them.

All new VHRs shall have an approved bear-proof garbage can enclosure installed prior to the issuance of a vacation home rental permit and all existing VHRs shall have a bear box installed prior to October 15, 2018.

VHR rules:

1. Residential units less than 2,500 square feet shall install and maintain a minimum of one (1) bear-proof garbage can enclosure capable of holding two 32-gallon plastic or metal garbage cans;
2. Residential units 2,500 to 3,500 square feet shall install and maintain a minimum of one or more bear-proof garbage can enclosure(s) capable of holding three 32-gallon plastic or metal garbage cans; and
3. Residential units greater than 3,500 square feet shall install and maintain a minimum of one or more bear-proof garbage can enclosure(s) capable of holding four 32-gallon plastic or metal garbage cans

VHR home owners may also be fined for failing to instruct renters how to properly use the bear box.