Los Angeles property owners and community managers: simplify recycling & organics compliance while boosting resident satisfaction. National Doorstep’s valet trash & recycling service aligns with the City of Los Angeles ordinance (LAMC amendments via Ord. No. 187711) and California state mandates (AB 341 / AB 1826 / SB 1383) to reduce contamination and enhance NOI — all with a turnkey program.
In Los Angeles, recycling and organics service is mandatory for multifamily and commercial generators. LAMC Article 6 (as amended by Ordinance No. 187711, effective January 18, 2023) requires all commercial establishments and multi-family dwellings to maintain collection services for recyclables and organics, and follow container/label specifications.
- NOI & Property Value Lift: Increase ancillary income and retention with a visible sustainability amenity.
- Resident Convenience & Cleanliness: Doorstep recycling & organics pickup reduces overflow and contamination.
- Design Compliance (City Standards): Ensure MF communities include properly sized, screened enclosures/rooms for trash, recycling, and organics (L.A. Zoning Code §12.21 A.19 – recycling area/room).
- Local & State Alignment: Compatible with LAMC §66.03 — Solid Waste Service Required, LAMC §66.02 — Container Specifications, Ord. 187711 (Full Text PDF), CalRecycle — AB 341, CalRecycle — AB 1826, and CalRecycle — SB 1383 Education.
At a Glance: Los Angeles, CA
- Jurisdiction: City of Los Angeles (Los Angeles County, California)
- Mandate Type: Mandatory Recycling (AB 341; LAMC §66.03) and Mandatory Organics (SB 1383; LAMC Article 6 as amended by Ord. 187711).
- Applicability Threshold:
- Recycling: Multifamily 5+ dwelling units must arrange for recycling service (AB 341) and, under LAMC §66.03, maintain collection for source-separated/commingled recyclables.
- Organics: Citywide organics subscription and separation for businesses & multifamily; green container required for food scraps, green waste, and fiber-based food-soiled paper (per Ord. 187711 / SB 1383).
- Site Design: Provide recycling area/room and adequate enclosure capacity per City planning standards (e.g., L.A. Zoning Code §12.21 A.19 guidance).
- Accepted (typical): Paper, cardboard, metals, plastics #1–#2 (confirm glass/organics specifics with your hauler under recycLA).
- Not Accepted: Plastic bags/film, Styrofoam, HHW, e-waste, bulky items (special handling).
- References: LAMC §66.03 · LAMC §66.02 · Ord. 187711 (Full Text) · Zero Waste LA — Education & SB 1383 · recycLA Welcome Kit (2024) · ZC §12.21 A.19 (Recycling Area/Room) · CalRecycle — AB 341 · CalRecycle — AB 1826 · CalRecycle — SB 1383
Property Manager Compliance Checklist
| Task | Action / Requirement | Resources / Links |
|---|---|---|
| ☑ Recycling Service (AB 341 + LAMC §66.03) | Provide ongoing recycling for MF properties with 5+ units; maintain collection for source-separated/commingled recyclables; ensure resident access and instructions. | CalRecycle — AB 341 · LAMC §66.03 |
| ☑ Organics Program (SB 1383 / Ord. 187711) | Subscribe to organics collection and separate food scraps, green waste, and 100% fiber-based food-soiled paper into the green container; provide color-/label-compliant bins. | recycLA Kit · Ord. 187711 |
| ☑ Enclosure / Room Design | Provide screened, accessible, and right-sized enclosures/rooms for trash, recycling, and organics; coordinate during new builds or retrofits per City planning standards. | Zoning Guidance (Recycling Area/Room) |
| ☑ Education & Outreach | Provide move-in packets, bin-side signage, and annual education to residents per SB 1383; align with LAMC Article 6 requirements. | Zero Waste LA — Education |
| ☑ Service Right-Sizing & Monitoring | Audit fullness/contamination monthly; adjust pickups; maintain photos/logs to document compliance and hauler performance under recycLA. | recycLA Kit |
Los Angeles Recycling & Organics — Compliance Summary
- ☑ Jurisdiction Type: City of Los Angeles (Article 6, Chapter VI — Garbage, Refuse Collection)
- ☑ Mandate Type: Mandatory Recycling (AB 341; LAMC §66.03) and Mandatory Organics (SB 1383; Ord. 187711 amendments).
- ☑ Applicability Thresholds: MF 5+ units (AB 341) and universal organics participation with container color/label standards; all commercial & multifamily must maintain recycling/organics collection under §66.03.
- ☑ Best Practices: Co-located, color-compliant containers; annual resident education; contamination controls; documented monthly audits.
- ☑ Local References: LAMC §§66.02, 66.03; Ordinance 187711 (full text); Zero Waste LA / recycLA program materials.
View Ordinance No. 187711 (Full Text PDF) & Key Sections
Open the official ordinance PDF (effective Jan 18, 2023). It amends LAMC Article 6, including §66.02 (Container Specifications) and §66.03 (Solid Waste Service Required), and codifies SB 1383 organics requirements for the City of Los Angeles.
- §66.03 — Solid Waste Service Required: all commercial establishments & multifamily must maintain collection services for recyclables and Source-Separated Organic Waste.
- §66.02 — Container Specifications: containers must be durable, watertight, vector-resistant, and properly labeled/colored to City standards.
- SB 1383 Implementation: requires subscription to organics service and separation of food scraps, green waste, and fiber-based food-soiled paper into the green container.
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