Trash & Recycling in Washington County, OR (2026)
4 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 2 cities in Washington County, Oregon.
Verified from official government sources
Pickup Rules & Schedules
In unincorporated Washington County only a hauler holding a county sanitary service certificate may collect garbage for pay, per WCC 8.04.120, and the county sets collection standards by rule under WCC 8.04.050. Reaching into a neighbor's collection container is separately banned by WCC 8.04.665.
Washington County Trash Collection Franchise Rules
Some RestrictionsWashington County Code §§ 8.04.120, 8.04.665
Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, it is unlawful for any person to collect, store, transport or dispose of any waste or solid waste in the unincorporated areas of the county for compensation unless he first obtains a certificate issued by the board; or after issuance of a certificate, to collect, store, transport or dispose of waste or solid waste in a service area not covered by hi...
Recycling Requirements
WCC 8.04.055 requires every business in unincorporated Washington County, stores, offices, restaurants, warehouses, schools, hospitals and similar entities, to comply with the waste prevention, recycling and composting rules in the county's solid waste and recycling program administrative rules. Certificated haulers face a parallel duty under 8.04.344 to provide on-route recycling collection to every customer.
Washington County Business Recycling Requirement
Some RestrictionsWashington County Code § 8.04.055
All businesses within the county shall comply with waste prevention, recycling and composting requirements as set forth in the county's solid waste and recycling program administrative rules. For the purpose of this section, the term business shall mean any commercial or nonprofit entity, such as a store, office, manufacturing and industry facility, restaurant, warehouse, school, college, unive...
Illegal Dumping
WCC 8.20.030(A)(4) declares it unlawful to maintain or allow an offensive or hazardous accumulation of solid waste, garbage, refuse, liquid waste, or demolition debris on your property: the county's core illegal-dumping nuisance rule. Violators face a health-department abatement order, and if they don't clean it up the county can do it for them and place a lien on the property.
Washington County Bars Illegal Waste Dumping
Significant RestrictionsWashington County Code § 8.20.030(A)(4)
It shall be unlawful for any owner or person in charge of property to maintain or allow to exist, the following things, practice, or conditions on his property, which are declared to be nuisances:...4.Accumulation, collection, storage or disposal of solid waste, waste, garbage, liquid waste, refuse, rubbish, sewage sludge, demolition materials or fill dirt, if any of the aforementioned material...
Recycling Rules
Every certificated hauler serving unincorporated Washington County must provide on-route collection of source-separated recyclable material to all customers, matching the county's Solid Waste and Recycling Administrative Rules and state DEQ material lists, under WCC 8.04.344.
Washington County On-Route Recycling Rule
Some RestrictionsWashington County Code § 8.04.344
A.All holders of certificates shall provide on-route collection of source separated recyclable material from all customers consistent with the service standards established within the county's Solid Waste and Recycling Administrative Rules. This service shall include, but not be limited to, each of the materials listed in the applicable Oregon Administrative Rules, together with any other mater...
Trash & Recycling by City in Washington County
2 cities in Washington County have their own trash & recycling rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
All Washington County ordinances
See every category we cover for Washington County: parking, noise, fences, fires, animals, pools, and more.
Washington County Ordinance Hub →