Yard Waste Collection: Hesperia vs Rialto
How do yard waste collection rules compare between Hesperia, CA and Rialto, CA?
Hesperia and Rialto have similar restriction levels.
Hesperia, CA
San Bernardino County
Hesperia does not run a separate green-cart program. Per Advance Disposal's franchise, residents bag green waste (grass, leaves, weeds, small trimmings) and place it in the regular tan 95-gallon cart with all other waste — sorted downstream at the MRF and turned into compost, mulch, or landfill cover. Excess seasonal green waste (Spring/Fall) gets a special pickup: bundles ≤4 ft long, ≤16 in diameter, ≤50 lb, scheduled one week in advance.
View full Hesperia rules →Rialto, CA
San Bernardino County
Rialto's green organics cart accepts bagged food waste, grass clippings, leaves, branches under 6 inches in diameter, prunings, twigs, weeds, palm fronds, and horse manure. California SB 1383 (effective 2022, residential rollout summer 2023) makes organics diversion mandatory statewide.
View full Rialto rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Hesperia | Rialto |
|---|---|---|
| Cart system | Tan cart — bagged green waste with trash | - |
| Excess bundle limit | ≤4 ft long, ≤16 in diameter, ≤50 lb | - |
| Excess pickup lead time | ≥1 week, call (760) 244-9773 | - |
| Burning yard waste | Prohibited (MDAQMD Rule 444) | - |
| Compliance basis | Single-stream MRF processing (SB 1383) | - |
| State mandate | - | SB 1383 — organics diversion (14 CCR §18984+) |
| Accepted | - | Bagged food, grass, leaves, branches <6 in |
| Prohibited | - | Branches >6 in, cactus, pet waste |
| Bundle limits | - | ≤18 in diameter × 4 ft long |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Hesperia FAQ
Where does my yard waste go in Hesperia — separate cart or trash?
Same tan cart. Bag your green waste (grass, leaves, weeds, small trimmings) and place the bag in your regular 95-gallon cart. Advance Disposal's MRF separates the green waste from other materials and turns it into compost, mulch, and landfill ground cover.
What about extra branches and yard cleanup in Spring?
Call Advance Disposal at (760) 244-9773 at least one week in advance to schedule a special Excess Green Waste pickup. Bundles must be ≤4 ft long, ≤16 in diameter, and ≤50 lb, either tied or in tied plastic bags.
Can I burn leaves or tumbleweeds in my backyard?
No. Open burning of yard waste is prohibited city-wide under Hesperia Municipal Code §8.04.150 and Mojave Desert Air Quality Management District Rule 444. The High Desert WUI fire risk and air-quality penalties make backyard burning a costly violation.
Rialto FAQ
Can I put food scraps in my green cart?
Yes — Rialto's Trash & Recycling Service Rules accept bagged food waste in the green organics cart, consistent with SB 1383's statewide organics-diversion mandate.
What about big tree branches?
Branches up to 6 inches diameter go in the green cart. Larger branches must be bundled (≤18 in diameter, 4 ft long) and set beside the cart, or scheduled as a bulky pickup.
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