Trash & Recycling in Burien, WA (2026)
5 verified trash & recycling rules for Burien, Washington, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Pickup Rules & Schedules
In the City of Burien, Washington, commercial businesses in the downtown collection area must lock every solid waste container. Under BMC 8.15.130 locks stay unlocked only during normal business operating hours or at scheduled collection times, and a franchise hauler can unlock the container at pickup for a fee set in its contract with Burien.
Burien Downtown Container Lock and Collection Time Rule
Some RestrictionsBurien Municipal Code § 8.15.130
Commercial businesses in the downtown collection area shall equip each of their solid waste containers with franchise hauler-provided locks when utilizing a franchise hauler, or other locking mechanism if utilizing collection services other than a franchise hauler. Locks may only remain unlocked during normal business operating hours or at scheduled solid waste collection times. Commercial busi...
Recycling Requirements
In the City of Burien, Washington, every business with a physical location in the city, other than a home occupation business, must maintain access to and use recycled material collection services. BMC 8.15.120(2) makes that a standing duty, backed by the code enforcement process in BMC 1.15.120.
Burien Business Recycling Collection Requirement
Some RestrictionsBurien Municipal Code § 8.15.120
Businesses with a physical location in Burien other than home occupation businesses: ... (2) Shall be required to maintain access to and use recycled material collection services.
Mandatory Organics Recycling
In the City of Burien, Washington, restaurants and other eating places with a physical location in the city must maintain access to and use compostable or food and yard waste material collection services. BMC 8.15.120 adds this duty on top of the garbage and recycling service every Burien business must carry.
Burien Restaurant Food and Yard Waste Collection Mandate
Significant RestrictionsBurien Municipal Code § 8.15.120
In addition, restaurants and other eating places with a physical location in Burien shall maintain access to and use compostable or food and yard waste material collection services.
Illegal Dumping
In the City of Burien, Washington, BMC 8.45.020(5)(c)(viii) treats dumping of any type on public or private property not registered as a legal dump site as a nuisance. Dumping in waterways is a separate nuisance, and enforcement runs through Chapter 1.15 with daily penalties and cost recovery.
Burien Illegal Dumping Rules and Nuisance Penalties
Some RestrictionsBurien Municipal Code § 8.45.020(5)(c)(viii)-(ix)
(5) “Nuisance” (also referred to herein as “violation” or “nuisance violation”) means: ... (c) The existence, without limitation, of any of the following conditions: ... (viii) Illegal Dumping. Dumping of any type by any person on public or private property not registered as a legal dump site; and (ix) Dumping in Waterways. Dumping, depositing, placing or leaving of any garbage, ashes, debris, ...
Dumpster Rules
In the City of Burien, Washington, anyone in possession, charge or control of a dwelling, apartment house, restaurant, shop or other place that creates garbage must keep portable solid waste containers and use them. Under BMC 8.15.110 the containers stay secured and closed except while waste goes in. A violation is a civil infraction with a $250.00 fine.
Burien Solid Waste Container and Dumpster Rules
Some RestrictionsBurien Municipal Code § 8.15.110
(1) Each person in possession, charge or control of any dwelling, flat, roominghouse, apartment house, hospital, school, hotel, club, restaurant, boardinghouse or eating place, or in possession, charge or control of any shop, place of business or manufacturing establishment, or any place where garbage, refuse or swill is created or accumulated shall at all times, keep or cause to be kept portab...
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County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Burien city rules.
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