Bellingham, WA Property Maintenance: Trash Bin Storage (2026)

Bellingham regulates solid waste collection through BMC Chapter 9.12 (Garbage Collection) within Title 9 — Health and Sanitation. Key provisions: (1) BMC 9.12.020 — garbage and recyclable material hauling is restricted to the city's franchised hauler (SSC — Sanitary Service Company); private/self-hauling around the franchise is generally not allowed. (2) BMC 9.12.030 — garbage and refuse must be deposited only in approved containers. (3) BMC 9.12.040 — containers must meet city specifications. (4) BMC 9.12.060 — collection charges are billed and may become a lien on the property if unpaid. (5) BMC 9.12.070 — accumulation of garbage and refuse on property beyond what containers hold is prohibited and is enforceable as a nuisance. Carts must be set at the curb on the customer's scheduled collection day; SSC publishes container placement guidelines requiring approximately 3 feet of clearance from cars, mailboxes, and other carts so the automated arm can grip them. Residential mandatory service applies to single-family homes per BMC 9.12. Accumulation that exceeds container capacity becomes a code-compliance issue under BMC 9.12.070 and, if it creates blight or harborage, may also be enforced as a nuisance under BMC Chapter 10.28 (which provides a 7-day written notice procedure before further action).