Clean Soil Disposal

The Santa Maria Regional Landfill accepts clean soil (uncontaminated, pure soil, dirt, sod, or sand-type materials) to be used as landfill cover material. Per Federal regulations, all disposed waste must be covered at the end of each day with a minimum of six inches of earthen materials to control odors, vectors, fires, litter, and scavenging.

Clean soil loads of less than 10 cubic yards do not need to be approved in advance and are accepted at the current clean dirt fee during regular operating hours (7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday-Saturday). Weight will be taken at the Scalehouse before unloading.

Clean soil loads equal to or greater than 10 cubic yards require advanced approval. This approval process is to ensure the soil is non-hazardous and can be used as cover material. Submit a signed Clean Soil Disposal Requirements and Waste Characterization form and laboratory analytical results to the Utilities Department before delivering the load to the Landfill.

Submit your form one of the following ways:

• Email the scanned form to: landfill-rc@cityofsantamaria.org
• Fax (805) 928-7240; Attention: Regulatory Compliance Division
• Mail or submit a copy to:

Utilities Department

2065 East Main Street, Santa Maria

Santa Maria, CA 93455

Attention: Regulatory Compliance Division

A response can be expected within two business days of submittal. If the soil meets the requirements for use as landfill cover material, approval will be sent to the requester. The approved Clean Soil Disposal Requirements and Waste Characterization form must be presented at the Scalehouse for each incoming load from the site.

The City reserves the right to request load samples and/or additional sampling with City personnel.  

In accordance with Title 22 of the California Code of Regulations (CCR) 66260.200 (c), it is a generator’s responsibility to determine whether their waste is hazardous. A generator who incorrectly determines that a hazardous waste is non-hazardous and handles the waste as such will be subject to enforcement, clean-up actions, and/or fines. Additional fees will also be assessed for personnel and equipment time related to the incorrect determination.

Soil that tests non-hazardous, but has high levels of total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH), will not be accepted as clean soil. These materials may qualify for the City’s Non-Hazardous Hydrocarbon Impacted Soils (NHIS) Program.

Call (805) 925-0951 extension 7219 with any questions about clean soil disposal.

Disclaimer: Radioactive materials, including decommissioned materials, are NOT accepted at the Santa Maria Regional Landfill. The Landfill has a hazardous waste exclusion program in place, which includes recorded videos of all incoming loads and load inspections on the working face of the site.