Statewide law
California organic waste law
California's SB 1383 makes organics service the rule. All businesses and apartment buildings with 5+ units must subscribe to organics service, and every city and county must enforce it by ordinance. It has applied since Jan 1, 2022, and local governments can issue penalties from Jan 1, 2024.
At a glance Statewide law
Read the official rules (opens in a new tab)
- The law
- SB 1383 (2016), 14 CCR Div. 7 Ch. 12; AB 1826 (2014)
- Who’s covered
- All businesses + multifamily 5+ units must subscribe to organics service; Tier 1/2 edible food donors
- Thresholds and key dates
- Since Jan 1, 2022; jurisdiction penalties from Jan 1, 2024
- Local rules
- Every city/county must enforce by ordinance – SF, LA, San Diego, San Jose, Oakland, Berkeley
01 / City and county rules
Local rules
-
San Francisco
In effect- Who’s covered
- All residents, multifamily owners, businesses; audits for large generators
- Apartment buildings must provide compost
- Yes
- Key dates
- Since 2009
-
Los Angeles
In effect- Who’s covered
- Multifamily 5+ units, all commercial
- Apartment buildings must provide compost
- Yes
- Key dates
- Since 2022
-
San Diego
In effect- Who’s covered
- Multifamily + businesses
- Apartment buildings must provide compost
- Yes
- Key dates
- Since 2022
Other places in California
- San Jose, Oakland, Berkeley (and every CA city)Mandatory – in effectOrganics service + education; Berkeley has long-standing commercial/multifamily rule
✦ Keep an eye on
What’s changing
AB 643 (procurement only) is a stalled two-year bill.
02 / Our job
What Melly’s handles
- Which rules apply to each of your California locations
- File the paperwork for you
- Set up pickup or a compliant hauler
- Keep your records current so you are ready if an inspector asks
✦ Where this comes from
Sources
Last checked October 14, 2026. Laws change. If something here looks out of date, tell us.
These are plain-English summaries for general information, not legal advice. Always confirm with the official source.
✦ Get a compliance plan
Get a plan for California
What do you run there? Pick all that apply.
✦ Let Melly’s handle it
Get a compliance plan
Tell us where you operate. We tell you what applies, then we file and keep you compliant.