California SB 1383 requires all Carlsbad single-family and multi-family households to separate organic waste (food scraps, yard waste) from trash. Republic Services provides weekly green-bin collection; backyard composting is also allowed and encouraged.
SB 1383 (Public Resources Code §42649.8) took effect January 1, 2022 and mandates organic waste diversion statewide. In Carlsbad, Republic Services is the franchise hauler and collects organics in the green cart — residents must place food scraps, food-soiled paper, and yard trimmings in the green bin, not the trash. Commercial generators also must subscribe to organics service. Backyard composting is permitted (and encouraged) under Carlsbad's Climate Action Plan; compost bins must not create vectors (rodents) or odor per Municipal Code Chapter 6.08 (nuisance). CalRecycle enforces SB 1383 against the city, which can pass penalties through to noncomplying households after education/warnings.
Post-2024 enforcement: up to $50 first violation, $100 second, $250 per subsequent violation of organics-separation rules per SB 1383 and CCR Title 14 §18997.2. Rodent-attracting compost piles: nuisance citation under CMC §6.08.
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Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in San Diego County.
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See how Carlsbad's composting rules stack up against other locations.
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