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Contra Costa County, CA Trash & Recycling: Mandatory Organics Recycling (2026)

Some Restrictions

Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

Enforcing agency: Dept. of Conservation and Development director
First violation fine: $100
Repeat violation fine: Up to $500 (3rd offense)
Compliance period: 60 days after notice
Appeal deadline: 15 calendar days
Adopted: Ord. 2021-38, Dec. 14, 2021

Summary

Unincorporated Contra Costa County requires every organic waste generator, homes and businesses alike, to either subscribe to an organic waste collection service or self-haul under the county's own program. Placing garbage or recyclables in the wrong cart is a separate 'prohibited contaminant' violation. The Department of Conservation and Development enforces the mandate under Ordinance Code Chapter 418-20, adopted to satisfy the state's SB 1383 organics law.

City-specific rules exist: Antioch, Brentwood, and San Ramon have their own mandatory organics recycling rules that differ from Contra Costa County's county-level regulations. If you live in one of those cities, check the city-specific page instead.

(a)Subject to Section 418-20.210, organic waste generators shall do at least one of the following:(1)Subscribe to and comply with the requirements of an organic waste collection service that is provided to the organic waste generator. An organic waste generator will be deemed to be in compliance with the subscription requirement if a property owner or commercial business subscribes to an organic waste collection service that is made available to the organic waste generator.(2)Self-haul organic waste in a manner that complies with Subsection 418-20.212(b). ... (b)Prohibited Contaminants. Organic waste generators shall not place any material into a collection container that is utilized in an organic waste collection system if the material would constitute a prohibited container contaminant upon placement in the container.

View official code

Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Ordinance Code: Supplement 103).

Full Breakdown

Section 418-20.206 gives organic waste generators, defined as anyone who resides in or operates a business in the unincorporated area and creates organic waste, two compliance paths: subscribe to the organic waste collection service made available to the property, or self-haul in the manner Section 418-20.212(b) requires. A property owner or commercial business satisfies the subscription duty on behalf of everyone at the address. Nothing in the chapter stops a generator from home composting, using a community composting site, or preventing organic waste generation in the first place.

Subsection (b) separately bans placing 'prohibited container contaminants,' non-organic waste in the organics cart, or organic waste in the garbage or recycling cart, once an organic waste collection system is in place. Commercial businesses other than multifamily housing carry added duties under subsection (c): set out a labeled or color-matched organics container everywhere a trash container serves customers, train employees on what belongs in each container, and periodically inspect for contamination. Businesses do not have to replace functional containers early; the container-conformance deadline is January 1, 2036. Publicly operated treatment works that generate biosolids are exempt from the generator and business duties under subsection (d). The director of conservation and development administers the chapter and may enter property on reasonable notice to inspect, though never a residence's private areas. Ordinance No. 2021-38 adopted the chapter on December 14, 2021, implementing the state's mandatory commercial organics recycling law.

Violations & Fines

A prohibited-contaminant violation draws a written warning explaining the correct container before any fine issues. For any other violation occurring on or after January 1, 2024, the director issues a notice of violation with a sixty-day compliance period. Fines then run $100 for a first violation, $200 for a second within a year, and $500 for a third or later violation within a year; each day a violation continues is a separate offense.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to subscribe to organic waste pickup in unincorporated Contra Costa County?

Yes. Ordinance Code Section 418-20.206 requires every organic waste generator, residents and businesses, to either subscribe to the organic waste collection service available at the property or self-haul organic waste under Section 418-20.212(b). A property owner's or business's subscription covers everyone at that address, so individual tenants don't need a separate account, but the property itself must be enrolled.

What counts as a prohibited contaminant in my organics cart?

Section 418-20.206(b) prohibits placing non-organic waste, hazardous wood, carpets, non-compostable paper, or organic textiles into an organic waste container, and prohibits placing organic waste into a garbage or recycling container once the property's collection service provides separate carts for it. The county treats this as a distinct violation from failing to subscribe at all.

How much is the fine for violating the organics ordinance?

Under Section 418-20.222, fines escalate: $100 for a first violation, $200 for a second violation of the same requirement within a year, and $500 for a third or later violation within that year. The director must first serve a notice of violation with a sixty-day window to fix the problem before any fine is imposed.

Can I appeal a notice of violation or fine?

Yes. Section 418-20.222(f) lets the responsible person file a written appeal with the director within fifteen calendar days of the fine notice. A hearing examiner appointed by the director hears the appeal and can uphold, modify, or cancel the fine; the final decision can then be challenged in superior court under Government Code Section 53069.4.

Sources & Official References

[1]Contra Costa County Ordinance Code, Chapter 418-20

Other rules in Contra Costa County

Collection ScheduleSome Restrictions Recycling RulesSome Restrictions Recycling RequirementsSome Restrictions Illegal DumpingSome Restrictions Pickup Rules & SchedulesSome Restrictions Parking Rules: Loading ZonesSome Restrictions Parking Rules: Abandoned VehiclesSome Restrictions Parking Rules: EV ChargingSome Restrictions Building Setbacks & Zoning: Lot Coverage LimitsSome Restrictions Short-Term Rentals: Night CapsSome Restrictions Short-Term Rentals: Host Presence RuleSome Restrictions

All Contra Costa County rules

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Mandatory Organics Recycling in Cities Across Contra Costa County

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