Frequently Asked Questions

The City of Half Moon Bay is required by state law to enforce SB 1383 and report certain metrics each year. This includes the number of trash audits “Lid-Flips” and citations issued. The city is shifting from education to enforcement and wants to inform residents and business owners about this change. After the past four years of collaboration and education efforts with the community, we do not expect to see many violations.

Probably not. Residents who are already using Republic Services and sorting trash properly should be in compliance with SB 1383. Feel free to call Public Works at (650) 726-7177 for specific questions regarding sorting trash and how to prevent contamination. 

Enforcement and penalties for SB 1383 can be broadly broken down into three steps:

1. If Republic Services or City staff find any issues with compliance regarding SB 1383, they will inform the resident or business and notify Half Moon Bay Code Enforcement. 

2. Code Enforcement will send a notice explaining what needs to be fixed and the deadline to do so. 

3. Failure to comply by the deadline will result in fines: $100 for the first violation, $200 for the second violation within the same year, and $500 for a third violation in the same year.

The City of Half Moon Bay has partnered with the County of San Mateo Office of Sustainability to assist businesses with this requirement. Some examples of businesses that must comply include grocery stores larger than 10,000 sq. ft., hotels with on-site food facilities and 200+ rooms, and restaurants larger than 5.000 sq. ft. or 250+ seats. To be sure, the City of Half Moon Bay recommends contacting the County Sustainability Department at ediblefoodrecovery@smcgov.org or visiting SB 1383 Edible Food Recovery Requirements.

Yes, we would be happy to provide you with a paper copy at city hall. Please email us at Sustainability@hmbcity.com a day in advance so we can print you a copy.

If you are granted a waiver or exemption, you will need to maintain documentation that shows the facility(s) you transport your organic waste to, the quantity (cubic yards or tons) of organic waste delivered to each facility, receipts, and weight tickets from each facility accepting your material. This documentation is subject to inspection and will need to be emailed to the City Annually. 

No you can use one application per address. If only part of your application is accepted, we will note that on your application. 

Yes, every address will need a separate application. 

Each application is valid for two years unless the business changes ownership or is found to no longer be in compliance with the terms of the waiver/ exemption and its reporting requirements.  

The City has taken a number of steps over the past years to ensure this transition happens smoothly, below are some of the steps taken

1. Update the City municipal code to reflect the language and requirements of SB 1383 

2. Negotiated the City's solid waste franchise agreement to include base level organics collection at no extra cost for businesses and residents. 

3. Worked with businesses and residents to make sure everyone is enrolled in recycling and organics service. 

4. Educated businesses and residents on how to properly sort materials through the use of newsletters, mailers, sorting graphics, in-person trainings, and pop-ups at local events. 

5. Received a grant to purchase indoor blue and green containers to give to businesses for free.

6. Employed Republic Services to provide business consultations regarding level of service.

7. Partnered with the County to support businesses that must recover edible food. 

California is experiencing the negative effects of climate change, which is caused by greenhouse gases (GHGs) like methane. Methane comes from the anaerobic breakdown of organic waste and is one of the most potent greenhouse gases over a 20 year period. In California, approximately two-thirds of our waste stream is made up of organic waste (~27 million tons). SB 1383 aims to reduce the amount of organic waste sent to the landfill, thereby reducing the amount of methane produced throughout the state. Additionally, separating recyclables and organics from the garbage frees up landfill space, extending their lifetime and keeping garbage rates low.