To: BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
From: Supervisor Williams
Meeting Date: September 15, 2026
Department Contact: Supervisor Williams Phone: 707-937-3500
Item Type: Regular Agenda Time Allocated for Item: 45 Minutes
Agenda Title:
title
Discussion and Possible Action Regarding Waterless Composting Toilet Options for Rural Mendocino County
(Sponsor: Supervisor Williams)
Vote Requirement: Majority
End
Recommended Action/Motion:
recommendation
Discuss and support Supervisor Williams in working with stakeholders, Santa Cruz County, and state representatives and regulatory agencies to explore a limited, voluntary rural container-based sanitation pilot, subject to full cost recovery; request limited consultation, within existing resources, from Public Health’s Environmental Health Division on discrete feasibility questions; and require any proposal to return to the Board before implementation or any substantial General Fund or departmental commitment.
End
Previous Board/Board Committee Actions:
In 1981, the Board adopted Ordinance No. 3343, establishing Mendocino County Code Chapter 18.23, Limited Density Rural Dwellings, commonly known as Class K. In 2021, Environmental Health, in coordination with Planning and Building Services, developed residential waterless-toilet standards in response to needs identified by the cannabis community. The materials reviewed do not identify a Board action adopting those standards, which treat waterless toilets as accessory to, rather than a replacement for, an approved onsite wastewater treatment system (OWTS), commonly called a septic system. On Sep 10, 2024, the Board adopted Ordinance No. 4538, including Chapter 20.170, Moveable Tiny Homes, as part of the Inland Zoning Code Update. In 2025, the Board adopted Resolution No. 25-093, approving the Mendocino County Drought Resilience Plan and authorizing its submission to the California Department of Water Resources. Together, these Board actions and staff work est...
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