Napa, CA Landscaping Rules: Composting (2026)

Napa's organic-waste and composting program is operated by Napa Recycling and Waste Services (https://naparecycling.com/) under a franchise agreement with the City of Napa, with regional processing at the Napa Recycling and Composting Facility. California SB 1383 (signed 2016, Public Resources Code §42652 et seq.; 14 CCR §18981 et seq.) requires every California jurisdiction to provide organic-waste collection to all residents and businesses and to reduce statewide landfill disposal of organics 75% below 2014 levels by 2025 and recover at least 20% of surplus edible food. Single-family homes in Napa are automatically provided curbside compost and recycling carts. The brown (or green) compost cart accepts all food scraps including meat, bones, dairy, bread, fruits, and vegetables, plus soiled paper, paper cups, paper plates, paper towels, paper napkins, coffee grounds and filters, tea bags, grass clippings, leaves, brush, garden prunings, flowers, wreaths, pumpkins, manure, animal bedding, and wood branches six inches in diameter or smaller. SB 1383 implementing regulations require periodic route reviews ('flip-the-lid' visual inspections) of customer carts to verify proper separation; staff issue education first, then follow-up notices for chronic contamination. Backyard composting is encouraged and does not require a Napa permit. The Napa Recycling and Composting Facility hosts educational workshops, sells discounted home compost bins, and operates under CalRecycle solid-waste-facility permitting at 14 CCR §17855 et seq. (composting standards). California Health and Safety Code §17896 (open-burning) and Bay Area Air Quality Management District Regulation 5 prohibit residential open burning of yard waste in Napa County.