Property Maintenance in Yakima, WA (2026)
5 verified property maintenance rules for Yakima, Washington, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Trash Bin Storage
Yakima's residential refuse service is operated by the City of Yakima Refuse Division under YMC Chapter 4.16 (Garbage Storage, Collection and Disposal). YMC 4.16.070 makes the city the sole supplier and owner of refuse containers — non-city carts will not be collected. Under YMC 4.16.170(a), carts must be placed at curbside by 6:00 a.m. on the scheduled collection day. Containers must be kept on private property and not in any public alley, street or right-of-way except a reasonable time before/after pickup (YMC 4.16.170(e)). 32- and 96-gallon carts are available; weights are capped at 112 lb and 300 lb respectively (YMC 4.16.170(d)). Disposal service is compulsory (YMC 4.16.150).
Yakima Trash & Recycling Cart Placement Rules
Some RestrictionsProperty Blight
Property blight in Yakima is enforced under YMC Chapter 11.40 (Property Maintenance Code; 2018 IPMC with amendments) and YMC Chapter 4.16 (refuse accumulation). YMC 11.40.302.1 requires exterior property to be 'maintained in a clean, safe and sanitary condition' and not constitute a nuisance. YMC 11.40.302.8 prohibits inoperative motor vehicles on premises and vehicles in 'a state of major disassembly, disrepair, or in the process of being stripped or dismantled.' Junk vehicles are addressed under YMC Chapter 9.47, with the chief of police authorized to certify a vehicle as 'junk' if it meets at least three of four criteria (3+ years old, extensively damaged, apparently inoperable, scrap-value only). Penalties under YMC 11.40.106.4 start at $250 with no abatement and escalate to $1,000 for repeat offenses.
Yakima Property Blight & Nuisance Conditions
Some RestrictionsVacant Lot Maintenance
Under YMC 11.40.302.4 (adopting 2018 IPMC §302.4 as amended), 'Premises and exterior property shall be maintained free from hazardous vegetation in excess of 12 inches in height.' This applies to vacant lots as well as occupied parcels. On failure to cut after notice, the city or its contractor may enter the property and cut the weeds at the owner's expense. YMC 11.40.302.1 (Sanitation) parallel-requires exterior property to be kept 'clean, safe and sanitary' and not constitute a nuisance. Penalties under YMC 11.40.106.4 start at $250 (no abatement after notice) and escalate to $1,000 for repeat offenses.
Yakima Vacant Lot Weed & Maintenance Standards
Some RestrictionsSnow & Sidewalk Clearing
YMC Chapter 8.88 (Snow and Ice Removal) requires every owner or occupant of property adjacent to a public sidewalk to clear the sidewalk 'immediately adjacent to the primary entrance' of snow and ice by 9:00 a.m. of every day after snowfall (YMC 8.88.020). When ice/snow cannot practically be removed, the owner must apply sand or other suitable material so the sidewalk can be used safely. It is a civil infraction to dump shoveled snow or ice back into the public ROW, alley, street, pathway or thoroughfare (YMC 8.88.020). Penalty under YMC 8.88.030 is a civil infraction up to $50 per day. When 3+ inches accumulate, the city manager may declare a snow alert, prohibiting parking on posted snow routes (YMC 8.88.040–.060).
Yakima Snow & Ice Sidewalk Clearing Rules
Some RestrictionsGarage Sale Rules
Yakima does not require a city permit or business license for an occasional residential garage sale of personal household items. Mobile/street vendor licensing under YMC Chapter 5.57 targets commercial mobile food and merchandise vendors (per YMC 5.57.010 definitions), not homeowners selling personal items. Yard-sale signs follow the temporary-sign rules in YMC 15.08.110 — exempt from permitting but subject to size limits (4 sq ft / 5 ft post / 3 ft stake in single-family) and the off-premise / right-of-way rules in YMC 15.08.110(D) and YMC 15.08.070(K). Casual sales by non-business sellers are exempt from Washington retail sales tax under WAC 458-20-178 / RCW 82.04.040 (definition of 'business'), though the buyer may owe use tax.
Yakima Garage Sale Rules
Few RestrictionsLooking for Yakima County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Yakima city rules.
Property Maintenance in Yakima County →