Rule 3745-560-01 | Composting facilities - applicability.
(A) This chapter is the program chapter for composting facilities.
(B) Except as otherwise provided in paragraph (D) of this rule, this chapter is applicable to any person who establishes or operates a composting facility in the state of Ohio.
(C) In addition to the multi-program rules made applicable by reference in this chapter, the following multi-program rules apply to this chapter:
(1) Rule 3745-500-01 of the Administrative Code, which pertains to the applicability of Chapter 3745-500 of the Administrative Code.
(2) Rule 3745-500-35 of the Administrative Code, which pertains to relationships among authorizing documents, rules, and the authority of the director and board of health.
(3) Rule 3745-500-130 of the Administrative Code, which pertains to retention and distribution of authorizing documents.
(4) Rule 3745-500-210 of the Administrative Code, which pertains to a variance from this chapter.
(5) Rule 3745-500-220 of the Administrative Code, which pertains to an exemption from this chapter.
(6) Rule 3745-500-330 of the Administrative Code, which pertains to termination of a permit to install issued under Chapter 3734. of the Revised Code.
(D) This chapter is not applicable to the following:
(1) Composting of solid wastes generated within a single-family residence and disposed of or utilized on the premises where generated in a manner that does not create a nuisance or health hazard.
(2) Any person composting yard waste, agricultural plant materials, animal waste, food scraps, bulking agents, and additives within an aggregate area not greater than five hundred square feet on any premises in a manner that noise, dust, and odors do not constitute a nuisance or health hazard and does not cause or contribute to surface or ground water pollution.
(3) Composting facilities at locations engaging in agriculture as defined in section 1.61 of the Revised Code and that compost yard waste, agricultural plant materials, animal waste, food scraps, and bulking agents generated from the agricultural operations provided that the following conditions are met:
(a) The owner of the composting facility is the same as the owner of the agricultural operation where the yard waste, agricultural plant materials, animal waste, food scraps, and bulking agents are generated.
(b) The composting facility is located on property owned by the agricultural operation.
(c) The composting facility is operated in such a manner that noise, dust, and odors do not constitute a nuisance or health hazard and does not cause or contribute to surface or ground water pollution.
(d) All compost produced is utilized exclusively at the agricultural operation.
(4) On-farm dead animal composting subject to section 939.04 of the Revised Code.
(5) Composting facilities that compost yard waste and bulking agents provided that the following conditions are met:
(a) The owner or operator composts only yard waste and bulking agents generated by the owner of an operation engaged in providing lawn mowing or landscaping services or operations that generate yard waste while lawn mowing or landscaping the owner's premises.
(b) The owner of the composting facility is the same as the owner of the operation.
(c) The composting facility is located on the owner's property.
(d) The limits of materials placement on the facility site are less than twenty-five hundred square feet of total area.
(e) The composting facility is operated in such a manner that noise, dust, and odors do not constitute a nuisance or health hazard and does not cause or contribute to surface or ground water pollution.
(f) All compost produced is utilized exclusively on the owner's property. The use of the compost in plant potting media by nurseries and greenhouses that grow plant stock is considered use on the owner's property for the purposes of this rule.
(6) Sewage sludge composting with solid wastes when that sewage sludge composting is sewage sludge treatment or disposal pursuant to Chapter 3745-40 of the Administrative Code and is authorized by a current permit issued under Chapter 6111. of the Revised Code.
(E) Except as otherwise provided in paragraph (D)(4) of this rule, the standards of quality for compost products established in rule 3745-560-230 of the Administrative Code apply to compost products produced by a facility composting dead animals that are sold, offered for sale at retail or wholesale, distributed for use, or given away.
(F) The following are not composting facilities and therefore are not subject to this chapter:
(1) Wood recycling facilities.
(2) Vermiculture operations. Any person that accepts food scraps, animal waste, and other feed for earthworms as long as the following criteria are met:
(a) Operations are conducted in a manner that noise, dust, and odors do not constitute a nuisance or health hazard and does not cause or contribute to surface or ground water pollution.
(b) Any vermicompost produced is utilized exclusively on property owned by the owner of the vermiculture operation.
(3) A solid waste transfer facility that accepts source separated yard waste.
(G) Variances. Any person may apply for a variance from any provision of this chapter in accordance with rule 3745-500-210 of the Administrative Code.
(H) Exemptions. Any person may apply for an exemption from any provision of this chapter in accordance with rule 3745-500-220 of the Administrative Code.
(I) Administrative changes.
(1) Permit to install.
(a) The owner or operator of a class I composting facility may request an administrative change to a permit to install in accordance with rule 3745-500-360 of the Administrative Code.
(b) The director may make an administrative change to a permit to install in accordance with rule 3745-500-360 of the Administrative Code.
(2) Registration.
(a) The owner or operator of a class II, class III, or class IV composting facility may request an administrative change to a registration by submitting a written request to Ohio EPA that includes a copy of the information proposed to be administratively changed with an explanation of the change.
(b) The director may make an administrative change to a registration if the director discovers the need for an administrative change.
(c) Administrative changes to a registration may be made to address the following:
(i) To update or correct administrative information including but not limited to the telephone number, address, email address, or name of the facility, the name of the owner or operator to whom the registration has been issued, emergency contact information, the authorized closure contact, or other facility contact information.
(ii) To correct typographical errors contained in the registration.
(3) The director may decline to make a requested administrative change.
Last updated December 1, 2025 at 9:34 AM
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