Miami Beach, FL Landscaping Rules: Composting (2026)

Miami Beach does not have a dedicated composting ordinance, and residential composting is generally permitted. However, composting activities must comply with property maintenance standards, meaning compost bins and piles must not create odor nuisances, attract vermin, or produce unsanitary conditions that would violate the city's code enforcement standards. Given Miami Beach's dense urban environment and tropical climate, composting requires attention to moisture management, pest prevention, and odor control. The city's fertilizer ordinance (June 1 through November 1 application ban) and requirement to keep grass clippings and vegetative matter away from storm drains and waterways apply to composting operations. Commercial or large-scale composting operations would require additional permits and compliance with Miami-Dade County solid waste regulations. Miami-Dade County provides composting guidance and periodic composting workshops through its solid waste management programs. Residents should ensure compost systems have proper drainage to avoid standing water that could breed mosquitoes.