Chico, CA Trash & Recycling: Mandatory Organics Recycling (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- § 8.13.130 Organic Waste Generator Requirements
- Who must comply
- Nearly all residential and commercial premises
- Exemption
- Written self-haul waiver from City
- Penalty
- Infraction, administrative fine (Charter § 1505)
- State authority
- SB 1383 organics diversion mandate
Summary
Chico requires nearly every home and business to subscribe to city organic waste (food scrap) collection under Municipal Code § 8.13.130, the local rollout of California's SB 1383 mandate, with exemptions only for approved self-haulers.
All residential premises, except residential premises that meet the self-hauler requirements of SB 1383 and have received a written self-haul waiver from the City, shall subscribe to the City's container collection services for garbage, recyclable materials, and organic waste, including food waste. ... Generators shall not place materials designated for the garbage container into the organic waste container or recycling container.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Supplement contains local legislation current through: Codified Resolution No. 53-26, adopted 7-14-26 and Ordinance No. 2622, adopted 6-2-26).
Full Breakdown
Chico's municipal code requires nearly every residential and commercial property to subscribe to the City's organic waste collection service, implementing California's SB 1383 organics-diversion mandate at the local level. Single-family and multifamily households must separate food scraps and yard trimmings into a dedicated organics cart; commercial properties must arrange organics and recyclables diversion through a City-franchised hauler or an approved self-haul plan meeting state requirements. Only properties holding a written self-haul waiver from the City are excused from mandatory subscription, and generators may not dump food waste, yard debris, or recyclables into the garbage container.
Violations & Fines
Violating Chapter 8.13's organic-waste rules is an infraction punishable by an administrative fine under Section 1505 of the Chico City Charter, enforced by the city manager or a designee.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to sign up for Chico's organic waste (food scrap) collection?
Can I put food scraps or yard waste in my regular Chico trash cart?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Chico
California rules heatmap·Compare Chico to another location·View the California trash & recycling overview
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