Arvada, CO Landscaping Rules: Composting (2026)

Subsection (c) of Section 38-141 is a carve-out inside the same landfilling-and-dumping section that otherwise bans piling rubbish, trash, and grass clippings anywhere in the city. The code defines composting narrowly as 'the mixing of shredded and decayed organic matter with dirt or earth for the purpose of fertilizing and conditioning soil to support plant growth,' and states that this activity 'shall not be deemed a violation of this section,' meaning a compost pile that fits that definition is not dumping even though it involves depositing organic waste on the ground.

The exception is not unconditional: it stops applying the moment the pile 'creates a nuisance by means of a foul odor, or other miscellaneous condition,' language broad enough to cover a compost heap that draws pests, leaches onto a neighboring lot, or simply reeks. Once it crosses that line, the pile loses the composting exemption and falls back under the general nuisance-abatement machinery of Article III: the city manager can order it abated on 24 hours' written notice under Section 38-124, and Section 38-125 supplies the penalty, a fine or imprisonment, or both, up to the citywide general limits of Section 1-5, for anyone who fails to correct it.

There is no separate bin design, setback, or volume standard written into this subsection; the entire test is whether the pile stays within the definition of composting and does not become a smell or nuisance problem for neighbors.