Sonoma County, CA Landscaping Rules: Composting (2026)

Organics diversion in unincorporated Sonoma County is driven by California Senate Bill 1383, the statewide Short-Lived Climate Pollutants law, which took effect January 1, 2022 and requires all residents and businesses to divert organic waste from the landfill to cut methane emissions. In practice this means using your green curbside organics (compost) cart for food scraps, yard waste, and food-soiled paper rather than the trash. Recology Sonoma Marin is the hauler for much of the county. Multifamily properties with five or more units must provide organics recycling, and businesses generating two cubic yards or more of combined material per week must have an organics program. The mandate is implemented locally by Zero Waste Sonoma (the Sonoma County Waste Management Agency), which administers SB 1383 compliance and outreach for the unincorporated county and member cities. Home composting and grasscycling are encouraged and count toward keeping organics out of the trash; residents who compost or mulch food scraps and yard waste at home can reduce or, in limited cases, qualify for adjustments to curbside organics service. For questions about unincorporated-county service and SB 1383, the County directs residents to Zero Waste Sonoma's Eco-Desk hotline.