Federal Way, WA Property Maintenance: Trash Bin Storage (2026)

Federal Way Code Compliance regulates trash cart storage under the Property Maintenance Code adopted in Federal Way Revised Code Title 13 (Buildings) and the civil enforcement rules in FWRC Title 1. Between collection days, carts must be stored in a location not readily visible from the public right-of-way, such as inside a garage, behind a fence, in a side yard, or behind the house. Carts permanently stored in the front yard, against the front of the house, or at the curb constitute a property maintenance nuisance and are a code violation when visible from the street. Multifamily and commercial properties must keep dumpsters in enclosed trash enclosures per FWRC Title 19 zoning standards, with screened gates and no overflow onto the ground or adjacent property. Lids must be kept closed to prevent odor, pests, and wind-blown litter. Code Compliance responds to complaints on a reactive basis, issuing a courtesy notice first followed by civil infractions of 100 dollars or more per day if the violation continues. Tenants are also responsible for proper cart storage, and landlords can be cited for violations on rental property. Damaged or missing carts should be reported to Waste Management for replacement rather than left in the yard. Call Code Compliance at 253-835-2641 to report or resolve a violation.