Amherst, NY Landscaping Rules: Composting (2026)

Town Code Article III of Chapter 169, adopted by Local Law No. 4-2015, applies to composting on property used primarily for residential purposes as an accessory use. Section 169-33(A) sets the physical standards: compost material must be enclosed in a freestanding bin built of plastic, metal or another material the Commissioner of Building accepts, each bin capped at one cubic yard in volume and five feet or less in height, with no more than three bins per property. Properties larger than one acre may compost yard waste in an unenclosed pile instead.

Bins must be rodent-proof, sited at least three feet from the rear or side property line, at least twenty feet from any home, patio, pool or similar structure on an adjacent property, and never between the front of the principal residence and a public or private right-of-way; bins also cannot block the natural flow of stormwater drainage. Section 169-33(B) limits acceptable material to yard waste (leaves, sod, grass clippings), untreated wood, wood chips, sawdust, paper, straw, fruit and vegetable remains, eggshells, aquatic weeds, coffee grounds, tea leaves, evergreen needles, hair, dryer lint, vacuum dust, organic garden waste, compost additives, and bread, rice and pasta.

The presence of rodents or pests in or near a bin is itself cause for the Town to issue a violation and order the compost removed, and bins must be maintained so they don't create odors or other nuisance conditions. The Refuse Control Office, Commissioner of Building and Code Enforcement personnel share enforcement authority.