Long Beach, CA Trash & Recycling: Mandatory Organics Recycling (2026)
Key Facts
- Effective date
- January 1, 2022
- First violation penalty
- $50 to $100
- Fourth+ violation penalty
- $500 base, plus costs
- Applies to
- single-family, multifamily and commercial
- Enforcement
- City Enforcement Official / City Manager designee
- Appeal path
- administrative citation hearing, LBMC Ch. 9.65
Summary
Long Beach requires every single-family, multifamily and commercial account to separate food scraps and other organic waste into a designated container under LBMC § 8.60.370, part of the City's SB 1383 compliance program effective January 1, 2022. Putting the wrong material in a recycling or organics cart can draw a Notice of Violation and an escalating civil penalty.
A.Requirements for Single-Family Generators. Single Family Organic Waste Generators:1.Shall be automatically enrolled in the City's Organic Waste collection services and shall have the number of receptacles or bins with sufficient capacity necessary to contain their refuse, organics, and recyclables in compliance with City ordinances and the Health and Safety Code. ...2.Shall participate in the City of Long Beach's Organic Waste collection service(s) by placing designated materials in designated containers, and shall not place Prohibited Container Contaminants in collection containers. ...I.5.Penalty Amounts for Types of Violations. The penalty levels are as follows:a.For a first violation, the amount of the base penalty shall be Fifty Dollars ($50) to One Hundred Dollars ($100) per violation.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Municipal Code: Supplement 52 Update 1 | City Charter: Supplement 5).
Full Breakdown
370(A)). Commercial businesses and multifamily dwellings face parallel duties under Subsection B, including automatic enrollment, adequate and properly labeled containers, employee and tenant education within 14 days of occupancy, and cooperation with City inspections, including a Remote Monitoring program for container contents. Waivers exist under Subsection C: a de minimis waiver for businesses generating under roughly 10-20 gallons of organic waste weekly per container, or a physical space waiver documented by a hauler, licensed architect or engineer, each renewable every five years. Tier One Commercial Edible Food Generators had to comply by January 1, 2022 and Tier Two by January 1, 2024 under Subsection D, including written agreements with Food Recovery Organizations and recordkeeping. 65, with an appeal hearing available. The ordinance took effect citywide on January 1, 2022.
Violations & Fines
Penalties escalate under § 8.60.370(I)(5): a base fine of $50 to $100 for a first violation, $100 to $200 for a second, $250 to $500 for a third, and $500 per violation plus monitoring and compliance costs for a fourth or later violation. Factors like ability to pay, willfulness and economic benefit adjust the amount, and cited parties may appeal through an administrative citation hearing under LBMC Chapter 9.65.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Long Beach residents have to separate food scraps from trash?
What happens if I put the wrong material in my organics or recycling cart?
Can a business get out of the organics requirement?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Long Beach
California rules heatmap·Compare Long Beach to another location·View the California trash & recycling overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.
Mandatory Organics Recycling in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Los Angeles County handle mandatory organics recycling.