Woodbury, MN Landscaping Rules: Composting (2026)

Minnesota state law bans yard waste from landfills, and Woodbury directs residents to comply through one of three options: 'Haul yard waste to a composting site during scheduled hours of operation,' 'Compost yard waste on their property,' or 'Contract with their waste hauler to haul yard waste to a compost site.' So backyard composting is expressly an approved method. The city notes that a former private yard-waste site has closed and that it is working with Washington County to identify options; in the meantime residents use county facilities. Food scraps and other compostables can be dropped at the Washington County Environmental Center (4039 Cottage Grove Drive, Woodbury), where they are processed into compost at a commercial facility. Residents can also buy discounted compost bins (and rain barrels) through the Washington County / Recycling Association of Minnesota program, with a limit of two compost bins per household. Woodbury's published pages do not specify bin placement, size or setback rules for backyard compost; general property-maintenance and nuisance standards apply, meaning a compost pile must not create odor, vermin or other nuisance conditions. Best practice (per Minnesota guidance) is to keep meat, dairy, fats, bones and pet waste out of backyard bins.