Santee, CA Landscaping Rules: Composting (2026)

Santee's solid waste chapter, Municipal Code Chapter 9.02, defines 'community composting' as any activity that composts green material, agricultural material, food material, and vegetative food material, alone or in combination, so long as the total feedstock and compost on site at any one time does not exceed 100 cubic yards and 750 square feet, tracking the state definition in 14 CCR Section 17855(a)(4). That size cap distinguishes a small community composting operation from a larger organic waste processing facility that would need separate permitting. For ordinary residents, Section 9.02.250's exclusions provision states plainly that no provision of the chapter prevents a residential householder from composting organic waste generated on their own residential premises, alongside the same householder's right to self-haul waste or sell and give away recyclables.

The Municipal Code does not impose a bin design, height, or setback standard on residential backyard composting, only the general nuisance, odor, and vermin-control duties that apply to all solid waste storage under Section 9.02.230. A resident who instead prefers curbside service can rely on Santee's separate green container organic waste collection described in Section 9.02.160, and generators may lawfully use a community composting site as an alternative to subscribing to that City collection service.