Yolo landfill odors prompt complaints from Davis residents, air quality district says

An uptick in odors drifting into Davis has prompted complaints and a response from Yolo County officials.

The smells have been linked to composting operations at the Yolo County Central Landfill on County Road 28H, several miles northeast of the city, according to the Yolo-Solano Air Quality Management District.

In a statement Thursday, the air district said it received several odor complaints from Davis residents over the past month. The agency said it investigates each complaint, contacts residents when possible to gather details and shares its findings or any corrective actions taken.

In a statement, Yolo County said the landfill, which is operated by the private firm Northern Recycling, has experienced an increase in odor complaints during what is typically a minimal-issue period.

“This year’s busy leaf season, combined with wet and foggy winter conditions, has contributed to more frequent odors than usual,” the county said, according to the air district. “Yolo County invested approximately $200,000 this year in odor-reducing aerators and diffusers, which have been effective about 300 days per year. We recognize that odors remain a challenge during the remaining 65 days, and we are actively working with our contracted composting facility operator to implement both short-term and long-term odor reduction strategies.”

The landfill has drawn attention in recent months in connection with two separate incidents.

In December, a Northern Recycling dump truck driver was killed at the site when another truck inadvertently dropped its load onto the cab during unloading operations. The Yolo County Sheriff’s Office and Cal-OSHA are investigating the industrial accident.

A week later, roadways near the landfill were shut down after a waste management truck leaked coconut oil along rural roads east of Davis. No injuries were reported in the incident, which occurred near County Roads 32A and 105.

The air district asked residents to submit complaints as soon as odors, dust or smoke are occurring and to include the time, date, location and any suspected source. Complaints can be filed by calling 530-757-3650 or online at ysaqmd.org/complaint.

Yolo County encouraged residents to let them know about odors using a form at bit.ly/yolo-landfill-concern-form.

This story was originally published February 12, 2026 at 1:01 PM.