Jamestown, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 215 § 215-44.1
Compost
Operative Text
A. Composting operations shall be maintained in compliance with the following requirements: (1) All compost material shall be enclosed in a freestanding compost bin constructed of plastic, metal or other material acceptable to the Commissioner of Building. For residential property larger than one acre in area, yard waste may also be composted in an unenclosed manner. A compost bin shall be no larger in volume than one cubic yard. No more than three compost bins shall be allowed for each property. Compost bins must be rodent-proof and five feet or less in height. (2) All compost materials shall be maintained so as to prevent the harborage of rodents and pests. The presence of rodents or pests in or near the compost bin shall be cause for the Town to issue a violation(s) and order the compost removed. (3) All compost bins shall be maintained so as to prevent unpleasant odors or any other nuisance condition. (4) Compost bins shall be located at a minimum of three feet from the rear or side property line and shall be located a minimum of 10 feet from any home, patio, pool or similar structure on an adjacent property. Compost bins shall not be located between the front of a principal residential structure and a public or private right-of-way. (5) No compost bin shall be located where it will impede the natural free flow of stormwater drainage. B. Acceptable Composting Material shall be limited to the following materials: (1) Yard waste, including leaves, sod, and grass clippings; (2) Untreated wood, wood chips, and sawdust; (3) Paper; (4) Straw; (5) Vegetables, fruits and their remains, including peels and rinds; (6) Empty egg shells; (7) Aquatic weeds; (8) Coffee grounds and tea leaves; (9) Evergreen needles; (10) Hair; (11) Dryer lint; (12) Vacuum cleaner dust; (13) Organic garden waste; (14) Compost additives that aid the decomposition process; (15) Bread, rice and pasta.
Section 215-44.1 of the Jamestown, N.Y., Code of Ordinances establishes rules for composting on residential and other properties. Compost must be kept in enclosed, rodent-proof bins no larger than one cubic yard, with a maximum of three bins per property, unless the lot exceeds one acre, in which case unenclosed yard-waste composting is also permitted. Bins must be placed at least three feet from rear or side property lines and ten feet from neighboring structures, and only a defined list of organic materials—ranging from yard waste and food scraps to dryer lint and hair—may be composted.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers subject to § 215-44.1 generally ensure that any compost bins on their properties meet the size, material, placement, and rodent-proofing standards set out in the ordinance. Compliant operators typically verify that bins are positioned the required distances from property lines and neighboring structures, do not obstruct stormwater drainage, and contain only the approved list of compostable materials. Keeping records of bin specifications and conducting periodic inspections for odors, pests, or rodent activity are practices consistent with maintaining compliance under this section.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Under § 215-44.1, tenants who compost have a right to do so within the bounds the ordinance sets, including using up to three properly sized and placed bins containing only the approved materials. If a landlord or neighbor raises a concern about a compost setup, tenants can review the specific requirements in § 215-44.1 to understand whether their setup is compliant. Tenants who believe a violation notice has been issued in error may wish to consult a local tenant-rights organization or review the ordinance directly to understand available options.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated November 7, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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