Whatcom County, WA Property Maintenance: Property Blight (2026)
Key Facts
- Small litter (≤1 cu ft)
- Class 3 civil infraction, RCW 7.80.120
- Larger litter (>1 cu ft)
- Class 1 infraction + $25/cu ft fee
- County cleanup notice
- 7 days before county enters property
- Unpaid cleanup bill
- Becomes a lien, 1%/month interest
- Enforcement
- Health officer with sheriff, parks director
Summary
Whatcom County treats litter, debris and illegally dumped waste on private or public property as a civil infraction under WCC § 8.28.100, backed by a court-ordered cleanup and a lien the county can record against the property if the responsible person won't pay. Depositing more than one cubic foot of litter also triggers a $25-per-cubic-foot cleanup fee on top of the infraction fine.
Any violation of this chapter shall be subject to the following penalties: A. It is a Class 3 civil infraction as defined in RCW 7.80.120 for a person to transport an unsecured load or to litter or allow improper disposal, in an amount less than or equal to one cubic foot. B. It is a Class 1 civil infraction for a person to litter or allow improper disposal in an amount greater than one cubic foot. Unless suspended or modified by a court, the person shall also pay a litter cleanup fee of $25.00 per cubic foot of litter... D. If the court orders a cleanup of said property and the person...does not comply with the court's order, the court may...grant the county the authority to enter said property to comply with the court's order, and thereafter bill the person...for the costs incurred... the county may cause to be recorded...a sworn statement showing the costs and expense incurred for the work... The recordation of such sworn statement shall constitute a lien and privilege on the property...for the amount due in principal and interest of one percent per month, plus costs of court, until final payment has been made.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4963078; v4 updated 2026-06-23; through 06-23-2026).
Full Breakdown
020). 100(A)-(C)). 100(D) lets the county enter the property itself, perform the cleanup, and bill the responsible person for the cost. Whatcom County must first give the property owner at least seven days' notice and a chance to clean it up voluntarily. If the bill isn't paid within 30 days, the county can record a sworn cost statement with the Whatcom County Auditor; that recording becomes a lien on the property accruing interest at one percent per month until it's paid off. 130).
Violations & Fines
A first offense of depositing a cubic foot or less of litter is a Class 3 civil infraction; more than a cubic foot is a Class 1 civil infraction plus the $25-per-cubic-foot cleanup fee, and courts may add community-service hours for park violations. Unpaid county cleanup bills become a recorded lien against the property accruing 1% monthly interest until satisfied, and enforcement officers may serve citations and warrants under WCC § 8.28.130.
Frequently Asked Questions
What counts as litter under Whatcom County's abatement law?
Can Whatcom County put a lien on my property for not cleaning it up?
How much can a litter cleanup fee cost?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Whatcom County
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