Solid Waste Collection Vehicle Regulation Amended in 2019

This summary outlines the applicability and compliance requirements for vehicles subject to the Solid Waste Collection Vehicle (SWCV) regulation that was amended in 2019. The amendments clarify the definition of vehicles subject to the SWCV regulation and require reporting for all fleets that own or operate pre-2010 model year diesel engines to improve enforceability and to avoid delays with DMV registration starting in 2020.

The SWCV regulation was adopted by the Board in 2004 and applied to on-road diesel-fueled vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) greater than 14,000 pounds that hauled waste for a fee, and had engine model years (EMY) from 1960 to 2006. All SWCVs, except for certain low-use vehicles, were required to have particulate matter (PM) filters installed by December 31, 2010.

How do these changes affect SWCVs?

The amendments clarified the definition of solid waste collection vehicles to include any diesel vehicle with a GVWR over 14,000 lbs. that have specific body types (“garbagepacker” or “garbage-roll off”).

“Garbage packer” means a vehicle specifically designed to collect and compact residential or commercial solid waste for disposal, including (but not limited to) front loaders, rear loaders, and automated and semi-automated side loaders.

“Garbage roll-off” means a vehicle that is specifically designed to drop off and pick up open boxes or other containers that are commonly used to collect residential and commercial solid waste at a site.

The amendments also require vehicle owners to report their fleet of diesel-fueled Solid Waste Collection Vehicles in the Truck Regulation Upload and Compliance System (TRUCRS) within 60 days of the effective date of the amendments (July 1, 2019). Fleet owners must then update changes to the fleet annually in January of each year, including reporting January odometer readings for the low-use exemption, beginning January 2020.

Are garbage packer and garbage roll-off vehicles with 2007-2009 model year engines, or transfer trucks, subject to the solid waste regulation?

No. Those vehicles are subject to the Truck and Bus Regulation and should already be in compliance with the requirements of that regulation.