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HA1TOHB431 • 2025

This Amendment allows for composting on private property zoned Agricultural Conservation outside of the growth zone.

This Amendment allows for composting on private property zoned Agricultural Conservation outside of the growth zone.

Agriculture Land
Passed Legislature

This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.

Sponsor
Bush
Last action
2026-06-24
Official status
Passed 6/24/26
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The effective date is not provided in the official source material.

Amendment to Allow Composting on Large Farm Properties

This amendment requires counties to let people compost organic materials for business use on private properties zoned Agricultural Conservation outside the growth zone that are at least 4 acres in size.

What This Bill Does

  • Requires counties to allow commercial composting of yard waste, food residuals, and other organic materials on private land zoned as Agricultural Conservation outside the growth zone.
  • Applies only to properties that are at least 4 acres in size.
  • Allows county governments to set limits on how much space can be used for this activity.
  • Sets a rule that counties must allow at least 5,000 square feet of composting area even if they impose other limits.

Who It Names or Affects

  • Owners of private property zoned as Agricultural Conservation outside the growth zone with 4 acres or more.
  • People who want to run a business that turns yard waste, food residuals, and other organic materials into compost on these properties.
  • County governments that make rules about land use.

Terms To Know

Agricultural Conservation
Land designated for farming or keeping natural resources with special zoning rules to protect it from development, as referenced in the bill title and text.
Growth zone
An area where new buildings and businesses are allowed to expand; this law applies only outside these areas.
Commercial purposes
Activities done for business or profit, such as selling compost made from waste materials.

Limits and Unknowns

  • The official text does not state when this law will officially start taking effect.
  • It is unclear if counties can charge fees or require permits beyond the square footage limits mentioned in the amendment.
  • The amendment does not list specific rules for how composting must be done to prevent smells or pests.

Bill History

  1. 2026-06-24 Delaware General Assembly

    Introduced and Placed With Bill

  2. 2026-06-24 Delaware General Assembly

    Passed In House by Voice Vote

Official Summary Text

This Amendment allows for composting on private property zoned Agricultural Conservation outside of the growth zone. A county government may limit the permitted square footage, but must allow at least 5000 square feet.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text
Legislation Document

SPONSOR:

Rep. Bush

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

153rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HOUSE AMENDMENT NO. 1

TO

HOUSE BILL NO. 431

AMEND House Bill No. 431 by deleting lines 4 through 7 in their entirety and inserting in lieu thereof following:

“

(a) The composting of yard waste, food residuals, and other organic materials for commercial purposes must be allowed on private properties zoned for Agricultural Conservation, outside the growth zone, and consisting of 4 acres or more.

(b) A county government may limit the square footage of activity allowed under subsection (a) of this section, but must allow for at least 5000 square feet.

”.

SYNOPSIS

This Amendment allows for composting on private property zoned Agricultural Conservation outside of the growth zone. A county government may limit the permitted square footage, but must allow at least 5000 square feet.