Glenn County, CA Landscaping Rules: Composting (2026)

130 folds the state Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance's compost and mulch requirements into Glenn County's own code as part of its SB 1383 organic-waste program. 6(a)(3)(B), (C), (D), and (G). The numeric rule is specific: compost has to be incorporated at a minimum rate of four cubic yards per 1,000 square feet of permeable area, worked in to a depth of six inches. Soil that already tests above 6 percent organic matter in the top six inches is exempt from the compost-and-tilling step. The same section requires a minimum three-inch layer of mulch on exposed planting-area soil, except turf, groundcovers, or areas where seeding rules out mulch, and allows up to 5 percent of the landscape to stay unmulched as insect habitat if the landscape plan calls it out.

Recycled or post-consumer organic mulch takes priority over virgin forest products unless it is not locally available. The Chief Building Official tracks compost and mulch compliance and reports annually to the county's SB 1383 Recordkeeping and Reporting Authority. If the state later tightens the MWELO compost and mulch sections, Glenn County's ordinance automatically adopts the stricter state standard.