Tulare, CA Trash & Recycling: Yard Waste Collection (2026)

TMC Chapter 7.17 and Cal. Pub. Res. Code § 42652 et seq. (SB 1383) require every Tulare household to source-separate organic waste into the green cart. Accepted organics: food waste of all kinds (fruit/vegetable scraps, meat, dairy, bones, coffee grounds), food-soiled paper (napkins, paper plates, pizza boxes), plant debris (grass clippings, leaves, weeds, garden trimmings), and untreated, non-painted wood. NOT accepted: tree trimmings larger than 4 inches in diameter or 4 feet in length (those go to bulky pickup or Tulare County green-waste drop-off), painted or treated lumber, palm fronds (some haulers restrict), plastic bags including 'compostable' bags unless specifically approved, pet waste, diapers, and household hazardous waste. Backyard composting is allowed (and encouraged) but does NOT excuse the mandatory subscription — TMC § 7.16.030 still requires the cart. During Central Valley fire-season cleanup and heavy summer pruning, residents can supplement with bulky pickup (call (559) 684-4325) or self-haul to Tulare County's Visalia, Woodville, Earlimart, or Teapot Dome facilities. Open burning of yard waste is generally prohibited by San Joaquin Valley APCD Rule 4103 (Title 17 CCR) — burning grass clippings or leaves in Tulare is illegal nearly year-round.