Shasta County, CA Trash & Recycling: Yard Waste Collection (2026)
Key Facts
- Mandatory service
- Single-family must subscribe, Sec. 8.34.030
- Sorting rule
- Yard waste goes in green container
- Curbside option
- Uncontainerized piled/bagged pickup, Sec. 8.34.020
- Penalty escalation
- $50 / $100 / $250 per violation
- Enforcement
- Civil only, via Chapter 8.28 hearing
Summary
Single-family households in unincorporated Shasta County must subscribe to the county's organic waste collection service and sort yard trimmings and food scraps into the green container under Section 8.34.030. The code separately defines an uncontainerized pickup option, where green waste and yard waste are piled or bagged at the curb, in Section 8.34.020. Skipping the program can draw an administrative citation.
"Uncontainerized green waste and yard waste collection service" or "uncontainerized service" means a collection service that collects green waste and yard waste that is placed in a pile or bagged for collection on the street in front of a generator's house or place of business for collection and transport to a facility that recovers source separated organic waste, or as otherwise defined in 14 CCR Section 189852(a)(75).
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code: Supplement 22).
Full Breakdown
020 defines an uncontainerized green waste and yard waste collection service as a collection service that collects green waste and yard waste that is placed in a pile or bagged for collection on the street in front of a generator's house or place of business for collection and transport to a facility that recovers source separated organic waste. 030, which was adopted to implement the state's SB 1383 organic-waste rules: except for approved self-haulers and residents in a handful of CalRecycle-approved low-population census tracts, every single-family generator shall subscribe to the county's organic waste collection services for all organic waste generated, and must place source separated green container organic waste in the green container, source separated recyclable materials in the blue container, and gray container waste in the gray container, never mixing gray-container trash into the organics or recycling bins.
110 authorizes inspections of collection containers and vehicle loads, though inspectors may not enter the interior of a private residence. Residents may still reduce their own yard waste, compost on site, or use a community composting site under the same regulations without violating the subscription mandate.
Violations & Fines
Section 8.34.120 treats a violation of the organic-waste chapter, including failing to subscribe or sorting yard waste into the wrong container, as a public nuisance enforceable under Chapter 8.28, but limits enforcement to civil penalties rather than criminal prosecution. Before any fine applies, the county must first send educational materials describing the requirement. After that, penalties escalate: $50 for a first violation, $100 for a second, and $250 for a third or later violation, with a right to appeal through a Chapter 8.28 hearing officer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to sign up for yard waste pickup in Shasta County?
What is uncontainerized yard waste service?
Which bin does grass clipping and yard debris go in?
What is the fine for not participating in the yard waste program?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Shasta County
California rules heatmap·Compare Shasta County to another location·View the California trash & recycling overview
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