Fullerton, CA Trash & Recycling: Mandatory Organics Recycling (2026)
Key Facts
- State rule incorporated
- 14 C.C.R. Div. 7, Ch. 12 (SB 1383)
- Governing section
- FMC § 5.14.060(F)
- Notice period
- 60 days to comply after notice
- Admin fines
- $50 / $100 / $250 escalating
- Self-hauler diversion plan
- Written plan required per § 18988.3
- Waiver authority
- City Manager, only if state law permits
Summary
Fullerton makes participation in organic waste diversion mandatory rather than optional. Any person or entity that fails to meet the state's organic waste rules under 14 C.C.R. Division 7, Chapter 12 is committing an unlawful act and a public nuisance under FMC § 5.14.060(F). Self-haulers must additionally file a written plan showing how they will divert organic waste before the City Manager will issue or renew a permit (§ 5.14.080(B)).
(F) It is unlawful and a public nuisance for any person or entity to fail to comply with his, her or its obligations related to the collection and handling of organic waste as set forth in 14 C.C.R. Division 7, Chapter 12; provided, however, the City Manager or his or her designee is authorized to provide waivers to the requirement to participate in some or all of such obligations where permitted by law.
Full Breakdown
Section 5.14.060(F) folds California's statewide organic waste law directly into Fullerton's code: any person or entity that fails to meet its collection and handling obligations for organic waste under 14 C.C.R. Division 7, Chapter 12 (the state's SB 1383 regulations) is committing an unlawful act and a public nuisance in the city, not just a state-level infraction. The City Manager or a designee may grant a waiver from some or all of those obligations only where state law itself permits a waiver, so exemption is not automatic. Section 5.14.060(C) reinforces the same duty for customers of the city's waste franchisee, making it unlawful to fail to participate in the organic waste program the franchisee offers, including putting food scraps or yard waste in the wrong container.
Registered self-haulers face the most detailed version of the mandate. To obtain or renew a self-hauler permit, FMC § 5.14.080(B)(2)(e) requires a written plan showing, to the City Manager's satisfaction, how the applicant will comply with organic waste diversion under 14 C.C.R. Division 7, Chapter 12, § 18988.3. A renewal application must go further and produce actual records demonstrating how organic waste was diverted from landfills over the prior year (§ 5.14.080(B)(3)(b)). The City Manager can revoke a self-hauler permit outright if the permittee fails to divert organic waste from disposal as required (§ 5.14.080(I)). Commercial edible food generators and food recovery organizations carry their own separate compliance duty under § 5.14.060(G), which likewise makes failing to meet Chapter 12 obligations an unlawful public nuisance.
Violations & Fines
Fullerton routes organic waste violations through its administrative citation process under Chapter 1.10, as modified by FMC § 5.14.100(C). The City Manager or a designee first issues a notice of violation under 14 C.C.R. § 18995.4 giving 60 days to come into compliance; if the property still has not complied, administrative fines follow at $50 for a first violation, $100 for a second and $250 for a third or later violation. A self-hauler's permit can also be revoked for the same failure.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is separating food scraps and yard waste mandatory in Fullerton?
Can I get out of the organics requirement?
What happens if a self-hauler does not divert organic waste?
What fines apply to an organic waste violation?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Fullerton
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