A Notice of Violation is a warning before a citation is issued. Action is required before the due date listed on your letter to avoid a citation and fine. A Citation means a fine has been issued. You must pay the fine and resolved the violations to avoid future fines. Fine amounts increase to up to $500 per violation and will continue every 60 days for continued non-compliance.
If your letter lists multiple violations, you must resolve each violation and provide the necessary documentation to avoid future fines. Contact us if you have questions about how to resolve your violation(s).
Jump to your violation type:
Already in Compliance?
If you believe you received a notice in error and were already in compliance before the notice was issued, use the submit proof form to provide documentation. Once your compliance is confirmed, we will update our records, and no further action is needed.
Composting & Recycling Service Violations
Failure to Have Service
Your site does not have the required compost and/or recycling collection service. View sample letters here.
Step 1: Subscribe to service
Contact your waste hauler to add compost (organics) and/or recycling collection service at your location. Find your service provider here.
Step 2: Submit proof
Use the online submission form to submit proof, e.g. a bill, account statement, or confirmation email showing active service.
Waiver option: You may qualify for a waiver if you generate only minimal amounts of compostable or recyclable materials or lack the necessary physical space for containers.
Inaccessible Containers or Insufficient Service
Your site has collection service, but collection containers are not accessible, or service levels are insufficient. View sample letters here.
Step 1: Make Corrections
Supply and place collection containers that provide adequate capacity and access to collect all recyclable and/or compostable materials from employees, contractors, tenants, and customers (as applicable) at your site.
Step 2: Submit proof
Use the online submission form to submit proof of the actions taken, such as photos of accessible containers or updated service documentation.
Waiver option: You may qualify for a waiver if you generate only minimal amounts of compostable or recyclable materials, or lack the necessary physical space for containers.
Edible Food Recovery Violations
These violations apply to commercial food generators required to donate surplus edible food under SB 1383. Notices may be from StopWaste (view sample Inspection Report here) or from the Alameda County Environmental Health Department (view sample Inspection Report here).
Three Potential Violations:
- Failure to Have a Written Agreement
- Failure to Maintain Food Donation Records
- Failure to Donate Maximum Amount of Edible Food
Failure to Have a Written Agreement
Your business does not have a written contract or agreement with a food recovery organization (FRO) or food recovery service (FRS).
Step 1: Secure a written agreement
Secure a written contract or agreement with at least one FRO or FRS. Browse StopWaste's food recovery partner directory and download an agreement template.
If your site does not generate sufficient surplus edible food to donate, download and complete the Alternative Compliance Form instead. For guidance on alternative compliance methods download Best Practices to Reduce Surplus Edible Food.
Step 2: Submit documentation
Use the online submission form to submit a copy of your written agreement(s) or completed Alternative Compliance Form.
Failure to Maintain Food Donation Records
Your business is not maintaining the required monthly records of food donations.
Step 1: Set up record-keeping
Maintain monthly records of types of food donated, frequency of donations, and pounds of food donated to a food recovery organization or food recovery service. Records must specify each receiving FRO/FRS and their contact information.
A printable food donation tracking template is available for download.
Step 2: Submit records
Use the online submission form to submit your recent monthly food donation records.
Failure to Donate Maximum Amount of Edible Food
Your business is not donating all surplus edible food as required.
Step 1: Donate all surplus edible food
Safely manage and properly store all surplus edible food so that it does not spoil before being donated. Compost and landfill containers must not contain edible food.
Step 2: Submit proof
Use the online submission form to submit recent monthly food donation records.
If your business does not generate sufficient surplus edible food to donate, download and complete the Alternative Compliance Form and submit it using the online form.