San Rafael, CA Trash & Recycling: Yard Waste Collection (2026)
Key Facts
- Accepted in organics cart
- Food waste, landscape and pruning waste
- Minimum cart size per unit
- One 32-gallon organics cart
- First-violation fine
- Up to $100
- Repeat-violation fine (within 12 mo.)
- Up to $500, may be misdemeanor
- Self-managed alternative
- On-site composting or feeding animals allowed
Summary
San Rafael requires landscape and pruning waste to go in the green organics cart, not the garbage cart, under Municipal Code Chapter 9.19. Every dwelling unit must carry at least one 32-gallon organics cart, and dumping yard waste elsewhere is a separate misdemeanor or infraction.
"Organics container" has the same meaning as "green container" in 14 CCR Section 18982(a)(29) and shall be used for the purpose of storage and collection of source separated organic materials designated for organic materials processing, including food waste and landscape and pruning waste accepted in the city's organic waste collection program, and other organic materials as determined by the city and authorized collector as acceptable for the organics container. The city and authorized collector shall have the right to promulgate changes to organic material types acceptable for the organics container.
"Organic material" or "organic waste" means solid wastes containing material originated from living organisms and their metabolic waste products, including, but not limited to, food waste, green material, landscape and pruning waste, organic textiles and carpets, lumber, wood, paper products, printing and writing paper, manure, biosolids, digestate, and sludges or as otherwise defined in 14 CCR Section 18982(a)(46).
"Organic material processing facility" means any facility selected by the authorized collector that is approved by the city, or specifically designated by the city, operated and legally permitted for the purpose of receiving and processing organic materials.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 37).
Full Breakdown
030 defines the 'organics container' as having the same meaning as the state's 'green container' and requires it be used for storage and collection of source separated organic materials designated for processing, including food waste and landscape and pruning waste accepted in the city's organic waste collection program. 070(D), generators must place source separated organic materials, including yard trimmings, in the organics container and are barred from putting prohibited contaminants into it. 110(B) sets the baseline service: except as modified by the city's franchise agreement, each dwelling unit must carry a minimum of one 32-gallon cart each for garbage, recycling, and organic materials.
050 makes it unlawful to throw, bury, or deposit solid waste, including yard debris, on private property, public right-of-way, sidewalks, parks, or watercourses, or to let it accumulate so as to create a public nuisance; overflowing containers are themselves a public health violation and the property owner must notify the authorized collector to increase service. 210(B) allows organic materials to be fed to animals on the premises where produced if the premises are kept sanitary. 170, though that scheduling provision is addressed on its own page.
Violations & Fines
Violations of Chapter 9.19, including illegal dumping of yard waste or accumulating it as a nuisance, may be enforced as either an infraction or a misdemeanor under § 9.19.400, with administrative citations and fines under Chapter 1.40. A first violation carries a fine up to $100, a second violation of the same provision within twelve months up to $200, and a third or later violation within that period up to $500 and may be charged as a misdemeanor. The city may also pursue civil remedies, and unpaid organics or garbage collection charges can become a lien on the property under § 9.19.070(B).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I put yard trimmings in my garbage cart in San Rafael?
How big does my organics cart need to be?
Can I compost yard waste myself instead of using the cart?
What happens if I dump yard debris on a vacant lot or in the street?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in San Rafael
California rules heatmap·Compare San Rafael to another location·View the California trash & recycling overview
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