Madison, WI Landscaping Rules: Composting (2026)

361 is built to promote yard-waste recycling while keeping compost piles from becoming a nuisance. Any compost pile that isn't purely yard waste (leaves, grass clippings, garden debris and brush) must be enclosed in a free-standing bin no larger than 125 cubic feet and no taller than 5 feet. Every pile or bin, regardless of type, must be kept free of odor and rodent attraction; bins holding horse manure or fruit scraps must stay covered except while turning, and nothing may sit closer than 3 feet to a property line or building.

Placement is restricted to the rear yard, between the rear building wall and the rear lot line extended to the side lot line, and on a reverse corner lot nothing may come within 10 feet of the rear property line. Section (f) carves out an exception: the rear-yard rule doesn't apply to a pile or bin in a side yard that's substantially screened from the street and from ground-level view of neighboring residences by shrubs, other plantings or fencing. 05(4), the City's health-nuisance search-warrant and abatement power, to enter and address the condition.