Yard Waste Collection: Tulare vs Visalia
How do yard waste collection rules compare between Tulare, CA and Visalia, CA?
Tulare, CA
Tulare County
Tulare's green organics cart is mandatory and now takes BOTH yard trimmings and food waste together under SB 1383 (TMC Ch. 7.17). Grass, leaves, plant debris, and untreated wood go in the green cart — but branches over 4 inches in diameter or 4 feet in length are NOT allowed.
View full Tulare rules →Visalia, CA
Tulare County
No data available yet for Visalia.
Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Tulare | Visalia |
|---|---|---|
| Cart | GREEN organics cart — weekly service (mandatory) | - |
| Accepted | Food waste, food-soiled paper, grass, leaves, plant debris, untreated/unpainted wood | - |
| Size limits | Branches must be ≤4 inches diameter and ≤4 feet length | - |
| Not accepted | Painted/treated wood, plastic bags, pet waste, oversized branches, palm fronds (verify) | - |
| Open burning | Prohibited under SJV APCD Rule 4103 — use the green cart instead | - |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Tulare FAQ
Can I burn leaves in my backyard?
No. The San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District Rule 4103 prohibits open burning of yard waste in Tulare County for most of the year, and Cal. Health & Safety Code § 41700 makes any open burning that creates a nuisance unlawful. Use the green organics cart or take material to a Tulare County green-waste drop-off.
Can I put food scraps in with my grass clippings?
Yes — that's the whole point of SB 1383. Tulare's green cart is a combined yard-waste-plus-food-waste cart. Meat, bones, dairy, fruit, veggies, coffee grounds, and food-soiled paper all go in alongside grass, leaves, and small branches.
What if I have a big tree I just pruned?
Anything over 4 inches diameter or 4 feet long can't go in the green cart. Schedule a bulky pickup with City Solid Waste at (559) 684-4325, or self-haul to a Tulare County Solid Waste facility (Visalia, Woodville, Earlimart, or Teapot Dome). Backyard chipping/composting is also allowed.
Visalia FAQ
No FAQs available.
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