Trash & Recycling in Yakima, WA (2026)
7 verified trash & recycling rules for Yakima, Washington, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Pickup Rules & Schedules
Yakima residents must carry enough weekly pickups or containers so refuse never overfills; overfilled carts draw fines and possible service increases.
Yakima Weekly Refuse Pickup Rules
Some RestrictionsYakima Municipal Code § 4.16.145
Persons who obtain refuse service for collection of refuse in the residential or business classification shall provide adequate pickups per week or containers to ensure that the amount of refuse generated does not overfill the containers. Containers shall be considered overfilled when the lid will not close due to the amount of refuse deposited therein or when said container is full and additio...
Bin Placement Rules
Yakima requires garbage carts at the curb by 6 a.m. on collection day and kept on private property the rest of the time: never stored in a public alley, street, or right-of-way.
Yakima Garbage Cart Placement Rules
Some RestrictionsYakima Municipal Code § 4.16.170
Only city-provided containers will be emptied. Carts shall be placed at curbside by six a.m. to ensure collection service. Containers that are not provided by the city will not be collected. ... Garbage or refuse carts shall be kept on the residential property at all times. No carts shall be kept or stored on any public alley, street, or within any public right-of-way.
Bulk Item Disposal
Bulky items like appliances, furniture and tree limbs don't go in regular Yakima carts: each bulk refuse collection carries its own separate fee under the city's fee schedule.
Yakima Bulk Refuse Collection Fee
Some RestrictionsYakima Municipal Code § 4.16.140(C)(3)
A bulk refuse charge, as set forth in the city of Yakima master fee schedule adopted via resolution by city council, is imposed on each collection of bulk refuse. 4. All of the charges and fees for garbage, refuse and yard waste collection shall be billed for and paid at the same time and for the same period as billings and payments are made for other city utility services; or, in the event ...
Illegal Dumping
Yakima Municipal Code Section 4.16.025 makes it unlawful to throw, place or scatter refuse in or upon a refuse container, bin or cart that belongs to the city, a licensed collector, or is made available for another person's use. Violators face the Chapter 4.16 general penalty: a fine up to $250 or up to 90 days in the city jail.
Yakima Bans Dumping Refuse in Others' Bins
Some RestrictionsYakima Municipal Code § 4.16.025
It is unlawful for any person, firm or corporation to throw, place or scatter any refuse in or upon the refuse container, bin or cart belonging to or made available by the city or licensed collector for the use of another.
Yard Waste Collection
Yakima's seasonal yard waste carts take only grass, leaves and plant trimmings under three inches thick; larger branches, dirt and debris are barred and draw an extra fee.
Yakima Yard Waste Cart Rules
Some RestrictionsYakima Municipal Code § 4.16.140(C)(2)
Yard waste carts shall only contain vegetation material such as grass clippings and plant trimmings including woody material less than three inches in diameter. Dirt, construction and demolition debris, tree branches more than three inches in diameter, or rubble is not allowed in yard waste carts. Yard waste carts filled with nonvegetation material will be tagged and left at the curb. Failure t...
Dumpster Rules
Yakima requires business-class drop-off bins of 1.5 cubic yards or more to sit at least five feet from combustible walls and roof eaves, and bars keeping any commercial refuse container on a public street, alley, or sidewalk.
Yakima Commercial Dumpster Placement Rules
Some RestrictionsYakima Municipal Code § 4.16.180(E)(4)
In lieu of such containers, the premises may be served with drop-off bins; provided, bins with a capacity of one and one-half cubic yards (40.5 cubic feet) or greater shall not be stored within five feet of combustible walls, openings or combustible roofline eaves. Refuse containers shall be placed on the premises in such a manner and at such a location so as to be readily accessible for collec...
Collection Schedule
Residential trash service is compulsory in Yakima: every household must be assessed a refuse fee and put carts at the curb by 6 a.m. on collection day.
Yakima Mandatory Trash Collection Rules
Some RestrictionsYakima Municipal Code § 4.16.150(A)
Every residential premises in the city falling within the residential classification shall be assessed and shall be required to pay for refuse collection services provided by the refuse and recycling division of the department of public works or its licensed collector in accordance with the provisions of this chapter. B. Base Fee. There shall be a base fee charged for refuse collection in th...
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County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Yakima city rules.
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