El Monte, CA Trash & Recycling: Yard Waste Collection (2026)
Key Facts
- Self-composting
- Allowed via city/state-approved program
- Licensed landscapers
- May haul client green waste
- Unlicensed hauling
- Barred; must use city franchisee
- Contamination rule
- Barred separately under Sec. 8.20.080
- Excess brush
- Treated as a "bulky item" (Sec. 8.20.270)
- Violation penalty
- Misdemeanor, up to $1,000 / 6 months
Summary
El Monte lets residents self-compost yard trimmings generated on their own property under a city- or state-approved recycling program, per Municipal Code Section 8.20.140. Licensed lawn and gardening businesses may also haul away uncontaminated green waste incidental to landscaping work they perform under an El Monte business license.
A.Nothing in this chapter shall prevent any person from gathering green waste generated by a premises or other real property parcel owned or occupied by such person, provided such gathering is performed in compliance with, and/or in the furtherance of, a composting or other green waste recycling program approved by the city or otherwise authorized under state law. B.Nothing in this chapter shall prevent the gathering, removal and transportation of uncontaminated green waste generated by a premises or other real property parcel by a person possessing a city business license for lawn and gardening services where such green waste is gathered incident to the performance of landscaping and garden services authorized under the city business license.
Full Breakdown
20 stops a person from gathering green waste generated on property they own or occupy, so long as the gathering happens through a composting or green waste recycling program the city has approved, or one state law otherwise authorizes; it is a permissive carve-out from the chapter's general waste-handling rules rather than a numeric limit. 140(B) separately allows a person holding an El Monte business license for lawn and gardening services to gather, remove, and transport uncontaminated green waste generated incident to the landscaping and garden services their license covers, letting a licensed gardener haul away client clippings without running afoul of the franchise-exclusivity rule. 080's prohibition on contaminating recyclable materials. 090 rather than the routine green waste carve-out.
Violations & Fines
Removing green waste for compensation without either an El Monte lawn and gardening business license or a franchise agreement violates Section 8.20.060 and is punishable as a misdemeanor under Section 8.20.200, up to six months in jail, a fine of up to $1,000, or both, with each day a separate offense. Knowingly mixing contaminants into a green waste container set out for collection is a separate violation of Section 8.20.080.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I compost my own yard trimmings at home in El Monte?
Can my landscaper haul away the green waste from my yard instead of using my city cart?
Can I put contaminated trash in with my green waste cart?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in El Monte
California rules heatmap·Compare El Monte to another location·View the California trash & recycling overview
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Yard Waste Collection in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Los Angeles County handle yard waste collection.