The County of San Diego Board of Supervisors (Board) has adopted several plans and initiatives to encourage best practices in waste diversion. These efforts are designed to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, use local resources efficiently, and reduce the need for new landfills.

On September 14, 2022 (Item #7), the Board voted unanimously to adopt an Ordinance amendment for composting standards that eliminate the need for permits in some cases or reduce permitting and make it less expensive in others.

These changes alter organic materials management within the unincorporated areas of the county to increase the number and ease of setting up composting operations, support diversion of materials from landfills, improve reuse, expand access to finished compost, and promote public and environmental health and safety.

Where did organic materials go?

Where do organic materials go now?

Project Overview

This project makes organic material management, or composting, easier within the unincorporated county. The project amends the County’s Zoning Ordinance and Code of Regulatory Ordinance to reduce barriers (e.g., lowering permit requirements and associated costs) and expand allowances (e.g., increasing allowable composting practices and increasing areas where composting can occur) for organic materials processing in the unincorporated areas of the county.

The project benefits residents, farmers, community gardeners, and commercial composters by providing more sustainable options to discard organic materials (e.g., food waste, plant, and agricultural materials) and pick up processed materials (i.e., compost). In particular, it supports residents, local farms, and community composters/gardeners by expanding opportunities for onsite compositing at these locations.

Next Steps

Are you interested in composting? For many composting practices, the Department of Public Works conducts composting trainings through its contractor, the Solana Center for Environmental Innovation. Through this contract, DPW provides more than 20 workshops and trainings annually. These events teach a range of composting techniques for residents, farmers, and livestock owners. Workshops cover topics such as best management practices, troubleshooting, and regulations as well as tours of the County’s composting demonstration sites.