Calaveras County, CA Landscaping Rules: Composting (2026)

Home (backyard) composting of yard trimmings and food scraps is permitted in unincorporated Calaveras County and reduces both landfill organics and wildfire debris. The statewide framework is California Senate Bill 1383 (Short-Lived Climate Pollutants), which requires jurisdictions to provide organic-waste collection and divert organics from landfills. Importantly, Calaveras County secured a rural exemption from CalRecycle, and the County's official SB 1383 information states that at this time there will be no change to residential curbside collection requirements, with the rural exemption providing a temporary delay in residential collection requirements until December 31, 2026. The County's current SB 1383 implementation focus is on commercial edible-food generators and food-recovery organizations rather than mandatory residential organics carts. Because residential curbside organics service is delayed, backyard composting and self-management of yard and food waste remain practical, encouraged options. For vegetation debris specifically, the Calaveras County Air Pollution Control District allows open burning of cut, dried vegetation only on permissive burn days and partners with Public Works to host free yard-waste drop-off events as an alternative to burning needles, leaves, and small branches. Residents should keep compost piles managed to avoid attracting vectors and away from structures for fire safety.