Yard Waste Collection: Lodi vs Stockton
How do yard waste collection rules compare between Lodi, CA and Stockton, CA?
Stockton has fewer restrictions than Lodi.
Lodi, CA
San Joaquin County
Since 2022 Lodi's green-lidded organics cart must contain both yard waste and food scraps (banana peels, vegetable trimmings, meat, bones, food-soiled paper) under California SB 1383; food waste in the black trash cart is prohibited and triggers WM camera-monitored contamination upsizing.
View full Lodi rules →Stockton, CA
San Joaquin County
All yard waste — grass clippings, leaves, branches, weeds — must go in the 90-gallon green-lid organics cart along with food scraps and food-soiled paper. Loose-pile or bagged yard waste at the curb is not collected; it must be inside the green cart with the lid able to close.
View full Stockton rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Lodi | Stockton |
|---|---|---|
| State law citation | California SB 1383 (PRC §42652 et seq.) | - |
| Effective date | January 1, 2022 (residential rollout) | - |
| Statewide diversion goal | 75% reduction in organic waste disposal by 2025 | - |
| Green cart accepts | Yard waste + ALL food waste (including meat & bones) + food-soiled paper | - |
| Prohibited in green cart | Plastic bags, foam, FOG, hazardous waste, pet waste, recyclables | - |
| Bag rule | Do NOT bag organics — place loose in cart | - |
| Monitoring method | WM truck-mounted cameras record each tip | - |
| SB 1383 fine schedule (after Jan 2024) | $50 / $100 / $250 per violation (1st/2nd/3rd+) | - |
| Lodi residential enforcement | Automatic upsizing of trash cart after repeat contamination | - |
| Cart | - | Green-lid, 90 gallons (organics + yard waste) |
| Authority | - | SB 1383 + SMC Ch. 8.04 (updated 2022) |
| Branch size limit | - | Under 4 ft long, 4 in diameter inside cart |
| Plastic bags | - | Never — including 'compostable' plastic |
| Oversize branches | - | Use annual Clean Sweep bulky pickup |
| Backyard burning | - | Restricted — SJVAPCD Check Before You Burn |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Lodi FAQ
Can I throw food scraps in the regular trash in Lodi?
No. Since January 1, 2022, California SB 1383 prohibits food waste in the black trash cart. All food scraps — including meat, bones, dairy, fruit/vegetable peels, and food-soiled paper — must go in the green organics cart. WM truck cameras monitor cart contents and repeat violations result in trash-cart upsizing with higher monthly billing.
Do I have to use the green cart if I compost at home in Lodi?
You still pay for organics service as part of mandatory WM subscription, but home composting is encouraged and legal. You simply won't have much to set out. SB 1383 does not require generation of organic waste — only that any organics you do produce stay out of the landfill stream.
What about pet waste — can dog poop go in the green cart?
No. Pet feces is explicitly listed as prohibited contamination by Lodi's WM organics program. Bag pet waste and place it in the black trash cart instead.
Stockton FAQ
Can I leave bagged leaves at the curb?
No. Yard waste must be inside the green organics cart with the lid closed. Loose piles or bagged yard waste set out at the curb are not collected and may be cited as illegal dumping under SMC 8.04.210.
Do food scraps really go in the same cart as grass clippings?
Yes. SB 1383 requires a single organics stream — yard waste, food scraps, and food-soiled paper all go in the green cart together.
What about large tree branches from storm cleanup?
Cut to under 4 ft × 4 in and place inside the green cart, or schedule them through your one free annual Clean Sweep bulky pickup (Feb–Oct).
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