Yolo County, CA Landscaping Rules: Composting (2026)

301(c) lets an owner or, with Department approval, an occupant apply to be exempt from the county's mandatory waste-service requirements. Subsection (c)(5) specifically covers composting: a Single-Family Premises owner qualifies for exemption from Residential Organics services by demonstrating that they actively compost both Yard Trimmings and Food Waste onsite, or have other means of diverting that waste. 301(e) any owner granted this exemption must, at intervals the Department reasonably sets, provide proof of continued compliance with the composting requirement and any additional conditions imposed. 201(t) defines Food Waste to include fruit, vegetable, pasta, bread, rice, meat, dairy, coffee grounds, tea bags, egg shells, and compostable paper products.

301(g), the composting exemption is valid for one year and is non-transferable, but it may be renewed at the end of the year upon reapplication demonstrating that the composting arrangement still exists. 301(f) if it finds a violation of the exemption's terms or that the property is creating an unsanitary condition, public health threat, environmental contamination, or nuisance.