Mono County, CA Landscaping Rules: Composting (2026)

Composting in unincorporated Mono County is driven mainly by California's statewide organics law, SB 1383 (Short-Lived Climate Pollutant Reduction Strategy), whose CalRecycle regulations took effect January 1, 2022. SB 1383 requires residents, businesses, and multifamily properties to separate organic materials (yard/plant debris, food waste, food-soiled paper, untreated wood) from trash and either subscribe to organics collection or self-haul to an approved facility; jurisdictions could be required to impose penalties for non-compliance beginning January 1, 2024. Backyard or on-site composting of green material, food-soiled paper, and food scraps is an accepted way for residents to manage organics. Because Mono County is rural with limited collection infrastructure, residents should confirm the specific organics-collection or self-haul arrangement available in their community with the County and the local hauler. Backyard composting also aligns with the County General Plan's low-impact and conservation orientation and reduces landfilled organics. Compost piles should still be managed to avoid attracting wildlife (notably bears, common in the Eastern Sierra) and to avoid nuisance odors; the County's open-fire and nuisance rules separately prohibit burning yard waste during fire restrictions.