Yorba Linda, CA Trash & Recycling: Mandatory Organics Recycling (2026)

Every residence and business in Yorba Linda that subscribes to collection service through the City's franchised hauler must participate in that hauler's organic waste and recycling programs. Yorba Linda Municipal Code Section 8.20.070(F) declares it unlawful and a public nuisance for any subscriber to fail to meet organic waste obligations under 14 CCR, Division 7, Chapter 12, the state regulations implementing SB 1383, though the City Manager or a designee can grant waivers where state law authorizes them. Section 8.20.070(G) separately requires commercial edible food generators and food recovery organizations or services to meet their own surplus-food diversion duties under the same state chapter.

Self-haulers face the identical standard under Section 8.20.070(E), which ties their hauling permit to organic waste compliance. Enforcement runs through Section 8.20.121: the City Manager or City Attorney can charge a violation as a misdemeanor, punishable by a fine up to $1,000.00 and up to six months in jail, or as an infraction carrying escalating fines of $100.00 for a first offense, $200.00 for a second within a year and $500.00 for a third or later offense. Organic waste violations specifically can instead run through the Chapter 1.13 administrative citation process: the City Manager or designee issues a notice of violation under 14 CCR Section 18995.4 giving 60 days to come into compliance, after which administrative fines of $50.00, $100.00 and $250.00 apply for a first, second and third or subsequent violation.

Every violation is also declared a public nuisance subject to abatement, and the City can recover its attorneys' fees and litigation costs from the violator.