Santa Rosa, CA Trash & Recycling: Mandatory Organics Recycling (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- SRCC § 9-12.070, (A)(3), (E)(1)
- State mandate
- SB 1383 compliance required
- Commingling
- Prohibited in any container
- Waiver cap
- Up to 5 years, City-approved
- Penalty
- Misdemeanor + SB 1383 penalties
Summary
Santa Rosa City Code § 9-12.070 requires organic waste generators to comply with SB 1383, provides every residential and commercial account an organic waste cart, and bans mixing organic waste with garbage or recyclables in any container.
Organic waste generators subject to the requirements of SB 1383 shall fully comply with all applicable requirements of the act and SB 1383 or be subject to the penalties as prescribed in Section 18997.2 of SB 1383, as determined by the City Manager and/or his or her designee. (A)(3) Residential Organic Waste Service. All organic waste must be generated by and at the service unit wherein the organic waste is collected. Only organic waste may be placed in an organic waste cart, provided by the contractor. (E)(1) Commingling of organic waste with other forms of solid waste is prohibited; no person may place or cause to be placed for collection organic waste in any container designated for the collection of any other form of solid waste.
Full Breakdown
2 of SB 1383 as determined by the City Manager or designee. 070(A)(3) requires that organic waste be generated by and at the service unit where it is collected, and limits the organic waste cart to organic waste only, no garbage or recyclables mixed in. Multifamily developments and mobile home parks face parallel duties under subsections (B) and (C): central organic waste collection facilities alongside garbage and recycling, with automatic enrollment for every resident. 070(E), including posting signage on what must be source-separated, instructing tenants and employees, and keeping self-haul records available for City inspection.
Subsection (E)(1) is unambiguous: "Commingling of organic waste with other forms of solid waste is prohibited," and no one may place organic waste in a container meant for another waste stream. 070(F), capped at five years and subject to City Manager approval, but the waiver must be renewed and is rescinded if waste volume later exceeds the qualifying threshold.
Violations & Fines
Commingling organic waste with garbage or recyclables violates § 9-12.070(E)(1) and any Chapter 9-12 violation is a misdemeanor under § 9-12.040(B); noncompliant generators also risk the separate penalties set out in SB 1383 Section 18997.2, as applied by the City Manager.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Santa Rosa residents have to separate food scraps and yard waste?
Can a business skip organic waste service in Santa Rosa?
What happens if organic waste is mixed with regular trash?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Santa Rosa
California rules heatmap·Compare Santa Rosa to another location·View the California trash & recycling overview
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Mandatory Organics Recycling in Nearby Cities
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