El Dorado County, CA Trash & Recycling: Yard Waste Collection (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing chapter
- County Code Chapter 8.45, Organic Waste Disposal and Diversion
- Who must comply
- All single-family organic waste generators, unless exempted
- Self-haul option
- Source-separate and haul to a recovery facility, Sec. 8.45.060
- First-violation fine
- $50 to $100 per violation
- Enforcing agency
- El Dorado County Department of Environmental Management
Summary
Under El Dorado County Code Section 8.45.040, every single-family household must subscribe to organic waste collection through its franchised hauler and place yard waste, meaning leaves, grass clippings, prunings, and pine needles, in the designated container, or meet the self-haul standards in Section 8.45.060, unless the County has granted an exemption or waiver.
Single-family organic waste generators shall comply with the following requirements: A.Unless the generator has been exempted by the County or is located in an area where a waiver has been issued or obtained, subscribe to the organic waste collection services provided in the generator's service area by an authorized County franchisee or meet the self-haul requirements in Section 8.45.060.B.Unless exempted by the County, participate in the County's organic waste collection service(s) by placing designated materials in designated containers, and not place prohibited container contaminants in collection containers.C.Nothing in this section prohibits a generator from managing their organic waste by preventing or reducing waste generation, managing organic waste on-site, or using a community composting site pursuant to 14 CCR § 18984.9(c).
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 13 Update 4).
Full Breakdown
45 of the County Code, folds yard waste into the broader 'organic waste' stream every household must divert from the landfill under state SB 1383 mandates. 020 defines yard waste as leaves, grass clippings, prunings, pine needles and other natural organic matter discarded from public, commercial, or residential landscapes. 040 requires single-family generators to subscribe to the organic waste collection service offered in their service area by the County's authorized franchisee, unless the County has issued an exemption or a waiver for the property's location.
060, which require source-separating yard waste and other organic waste from garbage and hauling it to a facility that recovers organic waste, or to a high-diversion organic waste processing facility. Subscribers must place yard waste and other designated organics only in the designated container and keep prohibited contaminants, such as plastic bags or treated wood, out of it. 130. Nothing in the chapter stops a resident from reducing waste at the source, composting yard trimmings on-site, or using a permitted community composting site instead of subscribing to collection.
Violations & Fines
A first violation of the organic waste rules, including putting yard waste in the wrong container or leaving contaminants in a green cart, draws a base administrative fine of $50 to $100 under Section 8.45.140(E). A second violation within the enforcement period runs $100 to $200, and a third or subsequent violation runs $250 to $500 per violation, per day it continues. Recipients can appeal any citation to a County hearing officer if they request a hearing in time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to put yard waste in a special container in El Dorado County?
Can I haul my own yard waste instead of subscribing to collection?
What happens if I contaminate my organic waste container?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in El Dorado County
California rules heatmap·Compare El Dorado County to another location·View the California trash & recycling overview
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