In effect
San Francisco Mandatory Recycling & Composting Ordinance
San Francisco has required composting since 2009 under its Mandatory Recycling & Composting Ordinance, alongside SB 1383. All residents, apartment owners and businesses are covered, and owners must provide compost service and containers.
At a glance In effect
Read the official rules (opens in a new tab)
- Ordinance
- Mandatory Recycling & Composting Ordinance (Ord. 100-09, 2009) + SB 1383
- Who’s covered
- All residents, multifamily owners, businesses; audits for large generators
- Apartment buildings must provide compost
- Yes
- What you have to do
- Provide compost service & containers
- Key dates
- Since 2009
✦ The state picture
Rules in California
San Francisco sits inside California. State rules can apply on top of city rules.
01 / Our job
What Melly’s handles
- Which rules apply to each of your San Francisco 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 If something here looks out of date, tell us.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 San Francisco, CA
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.