Riverside, CA Trash & Recycling: Mandatory Organics Recycling (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- RMC § 6.06.040(B)-(C)
- Applies to
- Business and multifamily covered generators
- State basis
- AB 1826 and SB 1383
- Multifamily carve-out
- No mandatory food-waste service required
- Waiver duration
- Up to one year, renewable
- Penalty authority
- SB 1383 Regs § 18997.2 via § 6.04.180(B)
Summary
Riverside Municipal Code Section 6.06.040 requires business and multifamily covered generators to subscribe to organics recycling alongside solid waste and recycling service from the same franchised hauler. The mandate implements state laws AB 1826 and SB 1383, covering commercial food-scrap generators and qualifying multifamily properties, unless the City grants an exemption or waiver.
B.Business organics recycling requirements. All AB 1826 and/or SB 1383 business covered generators must subscribe to and receive solid waste, and organics recycling services from the same franchised waste hauler unless they apply for and receive an exemption or waiver from the City as provided for in this chapter.C.Multifamily residential property organics recycling requirements. All AB 1826 and/or SB 1383 multifamily residential property covered generators must subscribe to and receive solid waste, and organics recycling services from the same franchised waste hauler unless they apply for and receive an exemption or waiver from the City as provided for in this chapter, except that a multifamily residential property shall not be required to arrange for food waste recycling services.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 33).
Full Breakdown
040 of the Riverside Municipal Code sets three separate mandates. Subsection A requires all AB 341 business and multifamily covered generators to subscribe to combined solid waste and recyclable materials collection from the city's franchised waste hauler. ' Subsection C extends the organics mandate to multifamily residential covered generators, with one carve-out, multifamily properties are not required to arrange food-waste recycling service, only green waste/organics generally. 050 spells out what compliance looks like: covered generators must source-separate designated recyclable and organic materials from solid waste, provide weekly collection at minimum, subscribe with the same franchised hauler or obtain a Public Works Department waiver, supply recycling containers in multifamily units and work areas, and notify tenants and employees in writing of source-separation requirements.
140 lets the Public Works Director exempt a generator if no collection system is available for a material, or if every generator on a property is otherwise exempt. Waivers and exemptions last no more than one year absent a City extension. '
Violations & Fines
A covered generator that skips organics service without an approved waiver is out of compliance with Section 6.06.040(B)-(C), and Section 6.04.180(B) exposes noncompliant organic waste generators to the penalty schedule set out in Section 18997.2 of the state SB 1383 Regulations. Franchised haulers must also report unresolved noncompliant accounts to the City each quarter under Section 6.06.090(B)-(C), feeding City enforcement.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do all Riverside businesses have to sign up for organics recycling?
Are apartment complexes required to compost food scraps?
What happens if a business ignores the organics recycling mandate?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Riverside
California rules heatmap·Compare Riverside to another location·View the California trash & recycling overview
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Mandatory Organics Recycling in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Riverside County handle mandatory organics recycling.