Eagan, MN Landscaping Rules: Composting (2026)

Eagan permits residential backyard composting under published standards. The compost enclosure must have at least three sides or be circular and be made of a durable material such as wood, plastic, fiberglass or metal fencing. Placement rules require the bin to be located behind the residential home and set back at least 30 feet from any habitable building, at least 30 feet from any street, and at least 5 feet from any property line; on lots adjacent to ponds the bin must be above the 100-year high-water level. Bin size is tied to lot size: on lots of 12,000 square feet or less the compost area may be no larger than 100 cubic feet in volume, and on lots larger than 12,000 square feet it may be no larger than 150 cubic feet. Compostable materials include leaves, grass clippings and garden waste, indoor plant trimmings, and non-recyclable paper such as paper towels, napkins, tissues, paper egg cartons and toilet/paper-towel rolls. Prohibited materials include meat, bones, fat, oils, dairy products, food other than kitchen waste, synthetic fibers, human or pet waste, and diseased plants, which can attract pests or create odor. Separately, yard waste cannot be placed in the trash; residents must use drop-off sites or arrange curbside pickup with their garbage hauler, and treated wood is not accepted with yard waste.