COMPOSTING.
Madison General Ordinances § 7.361
in effect7.361 - COMPOSTING.
(1) Purpose and Intent. The purpose of this section is to promote the recycling of yard wastes through composting, and to establish minimum standards for proper compost maintenance.
(2) Definitions. Composting shall mean a controlled biological reduction of organic wastes to humus. Yard waste shall mean leaves, grass clippings, garden debris and brush.
(3) Maintenance. All compost piles shall be maintained using approved composting procedures to comply with the following requirements:
(a) All compost piles other than compost piles consisting solely of yard waste, excluding fruit, shall be enclosed in a free standing compost bin. Each compost bin shall be no larger in volume than one hundred twenty-five (125) cubic feet, and shall be no taller than five (5) feet.
(b) All compost piles and bins shall be so maintained as to prevent the attraction or harborage of rodents and pests. The presence of rodents in or near a compost pile or bin shall be cause for Public Health Madison and Dane County to proceed under Section 7.05(4). (Am. by ORD-15-00009, 1-28-15)
(c) All compost piles and bins shall be so maintained as to prevent unpleasant odors. Compost bins containing horse manure or fruits shall be kept covered, except when turning. All compost piles or bins shall be located not less than three feet from a property line or building.
(d) No compost pile or bin shall be located in any yard except a rear yard. All piles or bins shall be placed between the rear building wall, excluding all portions of a building which are occupied seasonally, and the rear lot line extended to the side lot line.
(e) On a reverse corner lot, no compost pile or bin shall be located less than ten (10) feet from the rear property line.
(f) Subdivisions (d) and (e) shall not apply to a compost pile or bin located in a side yard substantially screened from view from the street and from the ground level of the adjacent residences by shrubs and other plantings or by fencing, provided that such plantings or fencing shall at all times exceed the height of the compost bin or pile by no less than one foot.
(4) Ingredients.
(a) No compost bin shall contain any of the following:
1. Lakeweeds;
2. Cooked food scraps, except coffee grounds and tea leaves;
3. Fish, meat or other animal products;
4. Manures other than horse manure;
5. Large items that will impede the composting process.
(b) Permitted ingredients in a compost bin shall include:
1. Yard waste;
2. Raw vegetables and fruit scraps that are suitable for composting;
3. Horse manure;
4. Commercial compost additives.
(5) Owner Responsibility. Every owner or operator shall be responsible for maintaining all property under their control in accordance with the requirements of this subsection.
(6) Penalty. Any person violating Section 7.361 shall be subject to a forfeiture of not less than ten dollars ($10) or more than two hundred dollars ($200). Each day such violation continues shall be considered a separate offense.
(Cr. by Ord. 9747, adopted 4-4-89)
Source: City of Madison, Wisconsin, Madison General Ordinances (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/wi/madison/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=COORMAWIVOICH1--10_CH7PUHE_7.361COFetched: 11/1/2026