Ohio Revised Code 3734.02 and OAC 3745-560 exempt small-scale residential and agricultural composting from solid waste facility licensing, while regulating large composting operations statewide.
Ohio EPA regulates composting under ORC Chapter 3734. Class IV composting facilities (yard waste only, residential scale) and on-farm composting are exempt from licensing. Backyard composting of household yard waste and food scraps requires no state permit. Larger Class I, II, and III composting facilities accepting off-site material must register or license with Ohio EPA. Local zoning may regulate placement, but cannot prohibit residential backyard composting given the statewide exemption framework.
Operating an unregistered Class I-III facility can trigger Ohio EPA enforcement up to $10,000 per day.
See how Sunbury's composting rules stack up against other locations.
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