Beaverton's Trash & Recycling: The Rules That Matter
Every city handles trash & recycling a little differently. In Beaverton, Oregon, there are 6 distinct rules that residents and property owners should be aware of. Some are stricter than what neighboring cities enforce, and others are more relaxed. Here is what you need to know.
Illegal Dumping
Beaverton bars dumping rubbish, trash, or debris on public or private property, and bars placing trash in someone else's container without permission, under BC 5.05.095.
Key details: Outdoor storage limit: 72 hours for listed items. Container rule: No dumping in others' containers. Penalty class: Class 1 Civil Infraction. Covers: Public and private property.
Class 1 Civil Infraction under BC 5.05.255, processed per BC 2.10.010 through 2.10.050; each day the dumped material remains is a separate violation, plus possible abatement costs.
Mandatory Organics Recycling
Beaverton requires covered food businesses to separate food scraps from other solid waste, with signage, receptacles, and a 250-lb/week exemption threshold.
Key details: Applies to: covered food businesses only. Exemption threshold: under 250 lbs/week. Violation class: Class 1 Civil Infraction. Waiver length: up to 12 months.
Noncompliance draws a written notice with a cure period; failure to cure escalates to a citation and a Class 1 Civil Infraction fine under BC 4.08.670, processed per BC 2.10.010-2.10.050.
Collection Schedule
Beaverton assigns every neighborhood a City-franchised solid waste hauler under BC 4.08.100; residents can self-haul their own waste instead of subscribing, but no unfranchised hauler may collect it for them.
Key details: Governing sections: BC 4.08.100, BC 4.08.130. Model: City-assigned franchise per area. Franchise term: 10 years. Self-haul: Allowed as franchise exemption.
Operating as an unlicensed hauler collecting Beaverton solid waste without a City franchise is prohibited outright under BC 4.08.100.A; franchisees who violate the chapter face civil infractions and possible franchise termination for default under BC 4.08.430.
Pickup Rules & Schedules
Beaverton delegates specific trash and recycling pickup rules to the city manager under BC 4.08.205, and a customer who breaks a promulgated rule commits a separate Class 1 Civil Infraction under BC 4.08.210 for each day it continues.
Key details: Governing sections: BC 4.08.205, BC 4.08.210. Rule authority: City manager, by rule. Penalty: Class 1 civil infraction. Repeat violations: Each day is separate infraction.
A franchise customer who violates a solid waste/recycling pickup rule commits a Class 1 Civil Infraction under BC 4.08.210; each day the violation continues is a separate infraction, on top of any other penalty otherwise authorized by law.
Yard Waste Collection
Beaverton's franchise recycling ordinance limits curbside yard debris to grass, leaves and prunings under four inches thick, and excludes dirt, sod, stumps, rocks and other bulky yard materials.
Key details: Governing section: BC 4.08.030. Prunings limit: 4 inches diameter max. Includes: Grass, leaves, yard vegetation. Excludes: Dirt, sod, stumps, rocks, manure.
Setting out excluded material like rocks, stumps or animal waste as yard debris isn't a defined offense here, but franchise customers who violate a promulgated collection rule face a Class 1 Civil Infraction under BC 4.08.210, each day counted separately.
Recycling Requirements
Beaverton requires a franchised citywide recycling program under BC 4.08.020, targeting a 75% recovery rate by 2020 and 90% by 2050, alongside solid waste and yard debris collection.
Key details: Governing section: BC 4.08.020. 2020 target: 75% recovery rate. 2050 target: 90% recovery rate. Delivery model: Non-exclusive franchised haulers. Covers: Solid waste, recyclables, yard debris.
Recycling requirements are enforced through the franchise system rather than fines on residents directly; a franchise customer who violates a promulgated recycling rule commits a Class 1 Civil Infraction under BC 4.08.210, with each day a separate violation.
The Bottom Line
Beaverton's trash & recycling rules are a mixed bag. Some areas are strict, others are relaxed, and the details matter. The best approach is to check the specific rule that applies to your situation rather than assuming Beaverton is broadly strict or permissive.
These rules come from Beaverton's publicly available municipal code. For complete penalty schedules, exemption details, and answers to common questions, see the individual ordinance pages throughout this guide.