Garden Grove, CA Landscaping Rules: Composting (2026)

Composting and organic-waste handling in unincorporated Orange County is driven by California Senate Bill 1383 (the Short-Lived Climate Pollutants organic-waste law), administered by CalRecycle, rather than by a unique county aesthetic ordinance. Effective January 1, 2022, SB 1383 requires all residents, businesses, and multifamily properties to keep organic materials (food waste, food-soiled paper, yard and plant debris, untreated wood) separate from trash and either subscribe to required organic-waste collection or self-haul to an appropriate facility. Every California jurisdiction, including the County for its unincorporated area, must provide organic-waste collection service to residents and businesses and adopt an enforcement ordinance, and must conduct route reviews to check cart contamination. The statewide targets are a 50% reduction in organic-waste disposal by 2020 and 75% by 2025, plus recovery of at least 20% of edible surplus food by 2025. Backyard or on-site composting of yard trimmings and food scraps is encouraged and can satisfy or reduce a household's organics-diversion obligation, but it does not exempt a property from subscribing to the required service unless the jurisdiction allows it. Residents should follow their hauler's green-cart guidance for what belongs in organics.