San Luis Obispo County, CA Trash & Recycling: Yard Waste Collection (2026)
Key Facts
- Collection frequency
- weekly, three containers
- Yard waste definition
- leaves, grass, weeds, tree/shrub wood
- First-violation fine
- $50-$100 per violation
- Repeat-violation fine
- $250-$500 (3rd+)
- Correction window
- 60 days after notice of violation
- Waiver option
- low-population, CalRecycle-approved
Summary
Single-family households in unincorporated San Luis Obispo County must subscribe to weekly three-container collection separating organic materials, including yard trimmings, from recyclables and solid waste, under Code Chapter 8.99. Violations draw escalating fines from $50 up to $500 per infraction.
Except responsible parties of single-family premises that meet the self-hauler requirements in Section 8.99.100 of this chapter, responsible parties of single-family premises shall comply with the following requirements:(1)Subscribe to and pay for three-container collection services for weekly collection of recyclable materials, organic materials, and solid waste generated by the single-family premises and comply with requirements of those services as described below in Section 8.99.030(a)(2). County or designee shall have the right to review the number and size of a generator's containers to evaluate adequacy of capacity provided for each type of collection service for proper separation of materials and containment of materials. The responsible parties for single-family premises shall adjust their service level for their collection services as requested by the county.
Full Breakdown
99, the Mandatory Organic Waste Disposal Reduction Program, implements the state's SB 1383 organics mandate. 010 folds yard trimmings into the broader term "organic materials," defined as yard trimmings and food waste set aside separately from recyclables and solid waste for processing. 100, to subscribe to and pay for three-container weekly collection service covering recyclable materials, organic materials and solid waste, and to place source-separated yard trimmings and food waste in the organic materials container rather than the trash container. The county or its designee can review a household's container sizes to confirm adequate capacity and require the resident to adjust its service level.
020 makes this chapter control over conflicting Title 8 provisions. 05 if uncorrected, with base penalties of $50-$100 for a first violation, $100-$200 for a second, and $250-$500 for a third or subsequent violation, set by factors including willfulness, ability to pay and economic benefit from noncompliance. Recipients of a citation may request an appeal hearing before a county-appointed hearing officer.
Violations & Fines
Failing to subscribe to the required three-container service, or placing yard trimmings and food waste in the solid waste container instead of the organic materials container, violates Section 8.99.030(a). Enforcement under Section 8.99.120 begins with an informational notice for contaminated containers, escalating to a notice of violation with a sixty-day correction deadline, and then an administrative citation carrying a base fine of $50-$100 for a first violation, $100-$200 for a second, and $250-$500 for a third or subsequent violation within the review period; recipients may appeal to a county-appointed hearing officer under Section 8.99.120(g).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a household in unincorporated SLO County skip organics collection?
Is grass clipping considered organic material or solid waste?
What happens the first time a household's cart is contaminated?
How much can a repeat violation cost?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in San Luis Obispo County
California rules heatmap·Compare San Luis Obispo County to another location·View the California trash & recycling overview
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