Iowa banned landfill disposal of yard waste in 1991 (567-105.1(3)) and adopted regulations to broadly promote composting, including on-farm small-scale food scrap composting. These rules are found in The Iowa Administrative Code’s Chapter 567, Environmental Protection Commission, “Organic Materials Composting Facilities.” Permits such as requirements for permit applications, site analysis, and operational plans must be obtained from the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (IDNR). Some operations may be exempt from this permitting requirement, such as certain small-sized, educational, or private composting operations.
“Small compost facilities” means facilities that receive a total of two tons or less per week of yard and organics waste for composting, meeting the requirements set forth in rule 567—105.5(455B,455D).
Permit Exemptions
The following composting operations are exempt from the requirements of Chapter 567, pursuant to 567–105.2 (455B, 455D):
- Yard waste, household organics, and agricultural waste composted separately or in any combination and used on the same premises where they are generated.
- Composting facilities involving agricultural waste–excluding dead animals–and clean wood waste as a bulking agent.
- Yard waste, household organic waste, and agricultural waste generated, composted together on the same premises which they originated.
Permit by Rule
Composting facilities not exempt pursuant to 567–105.2 (455B, 455D) may still be exempt from obtaining a solid waste permit if they follow certain requirements.
General requirements for all composting facilities not exempt pursuant to 567—105.2(455B,455D) (105.3)
- Yard waste facilities operating in conformance with specific regulations (section 105.4) plus location, management, and runoff requirements (section 105.3).
- Small quantity solid waste compost operations (as defined in 105.5) operating in conformance with 105.3 and 105.5.
- The compost facility should be 500 feet from any existing inhabited residence, not including the residence of the person owning/operating the compost facility
- Composting must be done:
- Outside of wetlands
- At least 200 feet from public wells
- 100 feet from private wells
- 50 feet from property lines
- 100 feet from flowing or intermittent streams, lakes, or ponds
- In a manner that minimizes the formation of leachate and with proper management of runoff from the composting facility
- Requirements with legal notifications, signage, and operations (e.g., compliance, reporting, and record keeping with 105.3).
Specific requirements for yard waste composting facilities (105.4)
- Yard waste facilities may be exempt if operating in conformance with requirements outlined in section 105.4, including those related to legal notices, signage, size, operating conditions, and reporting.
- Yard waste facilities operating in conformance with specific regulations (section 105.4) plus location, management, and runoff requirements (section 105.3)
Small composting facilities receiving off-premises materials (105.5)
- Small quantity solid waste compost operations (as defined in 105.5) operating in conformance with 105.3 and 105.5.
Specific requirements for composting of dead farm animals (105.6)
- Facilities composting dead farm animals may be exempt if operating in conformance with requirements outlined in section 105.6, including if they are generated on-site, incorporated within 24 hours, and properly covered with bulking agents to prevent pest access and odor.
- Facilities composting dead farm animals operating in conformance with specific regulations (section 105.6) plus location, management, and runoff requirements (section 105.3).
Receiving Off-Premises Materials
The state’s rules allow composters to accept up to two tons of food scraps per week from off-site generators without obtaining a solid waste permit, although they still must comply with site and operating requirements.
The following are some of the requirements regarding acceptable materials and amounts for small composting facilities exempt from obtaining a solid waste permit (provided the facility complies with 105.3(455B,455D) and 105.5(455B,455D)):
- Yard waste and food residuals may be received from off premises at a total rate of two tons or less per week for composting either singly, in combination, or with agricultural waste
- Any clean wood waste free of coating and preservatives may be used as a bulking agent
- Two tons per week combined weight limit does not apply to bulking agents
- The amount of bulking agent received must be appropriate for the amount of compostable materials received
The above does not apply if only agricultural wastes or only yard wastes are collected and composted.
More Information
- Iowa Administrative Code – “Organic Materials Compost Facilities” (Chapter 567.105)
- Iowa Department of Natural Resources – Waste Planning and Recycling
- Iowa Department of Natural Resources – Composting for Iowa Communities
- University of Northern Iowa – Iowa Waste Reduction Center
—————————————
Updated on April 22, 2026
Original post from July 30, 2012