Composting: Santa Rosa vs Sonoma
How do composting rules compare between Santa Rosa, CA and Sonoma, CA?
Santa Rosa and Sonoma have similar restriction levels.
Santa Rosa, CA
Sonoma County
Under California SB 1383 (effective Jan 1, 2022), all Sonoma County residents and businesses must keep organic waste - food scraps and yard trimmings - out of the landfill, typically by using the green organics cart. Backyard home composting is encouraged and can reduce what you set out. The mandate is a state law implemented locally by Zero Waste Sonoma.
View full Santa Rosa rules →Sonoma, CA
Sonoma County
Under California SB 1383 (effective Jan 1, 2022), all Sonoma County residents and businesses must keep organic waste - food scraps and yard trimmings - out of the landfill, typically by using the green organics cart. Backyard home composting is encouraged and can reduce what you set out. The mandate is a state law implemented locally by Zero Waste Sonoma.
View full Sonoma rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Santa Rosa | Sonoma |
|---|---|---|
| Governing law | California SB 1383 (state mandate) | California SB 1383 (state mandate) |
| Effective date | January 1, 2022 | January 1, 2022 |
| Resident requirement | Use green organics cart for food + yard waste | Use green organics cart for food + yard waste |
| Multifamily (5+ units) | Must provide organics recycling | Must provide organics recycling |
| Business threshold | 2+ cubic yards/week combined material | 2+ cubic yards/week combined material |
| Local administrator | Zero Waste Sonoma | Zero Waste Sonoma |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Santa Rosa FAQ
Do I have to compost or recycle food scraps in Sonoma County?
Yes. California SB 1383 (effective January 1, 2022) requires all residents and businesses to keep food scraps and yard waste out of the landfill - typically via the green organics cart. It is a state mandate implemented locally by Zero Waste Sonoma.
Can I compost at home instead?
Yes - backyard composting and grasscycling are encouraged and count toward diverting organics. You still must keep organics out of the trash, but home composting can reduce what you set out at the curb.
Sonoma FAQ
Do I have to compost or recycle food scraps in Sonoma County?
Yes. California SB 1383 (effective January 1, 2022) requires all residents and businesses to keep food scraps and yard waste out of the landfill - typically via the green organics cart. It is a state mandate implemented locally by Zero Waste Sonoma.
Can I compost at home instead?
Yes - backyard composting and grasscycling are encouraged and count toward diverting organics. You still must keep organics out of the trash, but home composting can reduce what you set out at the curb.
Compare other topics
See how Santa Rosa and Sonoma compare on other ordinance categories.
Want to add a third city?
Use our full comparison tool to compare up to three cities.
Open Comparison Tool