Organic Materials Ordinance Update

About the Program

Category: Community and Economic Development (Best in Category)

Year: 2023

As part of the County of San Diego’s (County) implementation of its 2018 Climate Action Plan (2018 CAP) and Strategic Plan to Reduce Waste, the County’s Planning & Development Services Department (PDS) and Department of Public Works (DPW) developed the Organic Materials Ordinance Update to help divert organic materials (e.g., food scraps, plant materials, and agricultural materials) from landfills. This was achieved by making amendments to the County’s Zoning Ordinance and Regulatory Code to allow organic material processing or composting to occur in more areas of the unincorporated county. Specific changes included:  • adding more composting allowances on agricultural land;  • allowing community composting in residential settings and adding more allowances for composting in community gardens;  • creating small- and medium-sized commercial composting categories; • providing more permit options that reduce the cost and time to process composting applications; and, • ensuring the protection of public health and safety by including best management practice requirements to address issues of stormwater runoff, odors, pests, and others.