Santa Clara County Landscaping Rules: Composting Rules (2026)

California SB-1383, effective January 2022, requires every California jurisdiction to provide organic-waste collection and divert organics from landfill. Santa Clara County Code Title C implements SB-1383 in unincorporated areas through franchise haulers operating green-bin curbside service for food scraps and yard waste. Residents may also self-haul to compost facilities or backyard-compost as long as they keep food waste out of black trash bins. The county's Home Composting Education Program through the Office of Sustainability offers free workshops, discounted compost bins, worm-bin starter kits, and grasscycling guidance. Multi-family properties of five or more units must provide separate organics containers, and food-generating businesses face additional edible-food recovery rules under Tier 1 and Tier 2 SB-1383 categories.