Lakewood, WA Landscaping Rules: Composting (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- LMC 8.18.010(A)
- Max height
- Under 4 feet
- Max diameter
- Under 6 feet at ground level
- Setback from dwellings
- 30 feet or more
- Setback from property lines
- 4 feet or more
Summary
Lakewood, Washington exempts small compost piles from its public nuisance rules under LMC 8.18.010(A): a pile stays legal only if it is under four feet tall, no more than six feet across at ground level, at least 30 feet from any dwelling, and at least four feet from a neighboring property line.
The following shall not constitute public nuisances: A. Compost piles less than four feet in height and six feet in diameter at ground level, and 30 feet or more from any dwelling, and four feet or more from adjoining properties;
Official source re-checked September 8, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: current through Ordinance 852, passed June 15, 2026).
Full Breakdown
' A pile that meets all four measurements, height, diameter, distance from any dwelling, and setback from adjoining property lines, is protected from nuisance enforcement regardless of odor or appearance complaints. 020, the property maintenance chapter, which lists junk and debris in any yard as unlawful. 010 also exempts other yard conditions relevant to composting neighbors: storm debris for 30 days after a storm, construction debris for 10 days after permitted work finishes if neatly stacked, and fallen leaves and tree needles between October and April except on public sidewalks. 010(B)(9).
Violations & Fines
A compost pile that exceeds the four-foot height, six-foot diameter, 30-foot dwelling setback, or four-foot property-line setback in LMC 8.18.010(A) is no longer automatically shielded from nuisance enforcement. If it is then found to harbor rodents or other pests, or otherwise meets the nuisance criteria in LMC 8.16.010, the City can order it corrected under LMC 8.16.050 and, if the order is ignored, abate it and bill the owner.
Frequently Asked Questions
How big can my compost pile be in Lakewood, WA?
What if my compost pile is bigger than the exemption allows?
Can I run a chipper or composter outside during the day?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Lakewood
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Composting in Nearby Cities
How other cities in this county handle composting.