Montebello, CA Trash & Recycling: Mandatory Organics Recycling (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing law
- SB 1383 / Ord. No. 2445 (2021)
- Container system
- Two-container: green organics, black everything else
- First violation fine
- $50 to $100
- Third+ violation fine
- $250 to $500
- Fines effective
- Since January 1, 2024
Summary
Montebello requires single-family households to subscribe to the city's two-container organic waste service under SB 1383, sorting food scraps and yard trimmings into the green container and everything else into black, per Municipal Code Section 8.13.040.
Single-family organic waste generators shall comply with the following requirements except single-family generators that meet the self-hauler requirements in Section 8.13.100 of this chapter: A.Shall subscribe to the city's organic waste collection services for all Organic Waste generated as described in Section 8.13.040(B). ... B.Shall participate in the city's organic waste collection service(s) by receiving two-container collection service and placing designated materials in designated containers as described below and shall not place prohibited container contaminants in collection containers. ... E.Penalty Amounts for Types of Violations. The penalty levels for city-issued notices of violation are as follows:1.For a first violation, the amount of the base penalty shall be fifty dollars to one hundred dollars per violation.2.For a second violation, the amount of the base penalty shall be one hundred dollars to two hundred dollars per violation.3.For a third or subsequent violation, the amount of the base penalty shall be two hundred fifty dollars to five hundred dollars per violation.
Full Breakdown
Montebello adopted Chapter 8.13, Organic Waste Disposal Reduction, in December 2021 through Ordinance No. 2445 to comply with SB 1383, the state's Short-Lived Climate Pollutant Reduction Act, and its CalRecycle regulations. Section 8.13.040 requires single-family organic waste generators, unless they qualify as self-haulers under Section 8.13.100, to subscribe to the city's organic waste collection service and let the city or its designee review container number, type and size to confirm adequate capacity. Generators must use the two-container collection service: source-separated green container organic waste, including food waste, goes in the green container, while source-separated recyclables and everything else goes in the black container, and residents cannot place black-container material in the green container.
The city's enforcement official, the city manager or a designee, monitors compliance through inspections, route reviews and complaints under Section 8.13.120, and issues a notice of violation with a 60-day compliance window before any fine under Section 8.13.130. An education period ran through December 31, 2023; civil penalties have applied since January 1, 2024.
Violations & Fines
Section 8.13.130(E) sets a three-tier penalty schedule: a first violation draws a base penalty of $50 to $100, a second violation $100 to $200, and a third or subsequent violation $250 to $500, with amounts adjusted for severity, willfulness and ability to pay. Contaminated-container notices, however, first bring a warning cart tag rather than an immediate fine. Recipients can appeal a citation to a hearing officer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Montebello homeowners have to sign up for organic waste collection?
What goes in the green container in Montebello?
What's the fine for not separating organic waste in Montebello?
When did Montebello start enforcing its organics rule?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Montebello
California rules heatmap·Compare Montebello to another location·View the California trash & recycling overview
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