Sacramento County, CA Trash & Recycling: Mandatory Organics Recycling (2026)
Key Facts
- Applies to
- Commercial & multi-family generators
- Compliance options
- Subscribe or self-haul organics
- State authority
- SB 1383 / 14 CCR §18984.9
- Exemption
- DWMR Director, § 6.20.460 only
Summary
Every commercial generator in unincorporated Sacramento County must subscribe to source-separated organic material collection or self-haul it under state SB 1383 rules, unless the DWMR Director grants an exemption.
Unless determined by the Director, according to the provisions of Section 6.20.460, that said commercial generator is exempt from applicable CalRecycle regulations implementing SB 1383, a commercial generator shall:
1. Subscribe to source-separated organic material collection in compliance with the provisions of Section 18984.9 of Title 14 of the CCR; or 2. Self-haul organic material in compliance with the provisions of Section 18988.3 of Title 14 of the CCR.
B. Unless determined by the Director, according to the provisions of Section 6.20.460, that said commercial generator is exempt from applicable CalRecycle regulations implementing SB 1383, a commercial generator shall provide readily available containers and educational material regarding organic material recycling to all tenants, employees, and/or customers in compliance with the provisions of Section 18984.10 of Title 14 of the CCR. (SCC 1672 § 4, 2021; SCC 1720 § 1, 2023)
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4941150; v18 updated 2026-05-19).
Full Breakdown
Sacramento County Code § 6.20.432 locally enforces California's SB 1383 organic-waste mandate for commercial generators, businesses and multi-family properties, in the unincorporated area. Unless the DWMR Director exempts the generator under § 6.20.460, the business must either subscribe to source-separated organic material collection service consistent with 14 CCR § 18984.9, or self-haul its organic material under 14 CCR § 18988.3. Section 6.20.432(B) additionally requires the generator to provide readily available organics containers and educational material to tenants, employees, and customers under 14 CCR § 18984.10. This mirrors the source-separation duties already placed on business and multi-family generators elsewhere in Chapter 6.20.
Violations & Fines
Failing to subscribe, self-haul organics correctly, or post required organics education materials is a Chapter 6.20 violation DWMR enforces through inspection, notice, and re-inspection fees, on top of any CalRecycle SB 1383 penalties.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a business just throw food scraps in the regular trash?
What if a business self-hauls its own organic waste?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Sacramento County
California rules heatmap·Compare Sacramento County to another location·View the California trash & recycling overview
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