Mason County, WA Public Health Rules: Rodent Control (2026)

Mason County's Sanitary Code chapter on solid waste handling, adopted under RCW Chapters 70.05, 70.46, 70.93, 70.95 and 36.58 and incorporating WAC 173-350 by reference, sets the storage standard that keeps garbage out of reach of rats and other vectors. Section 6.72.030(h)(3) defines normal residential solid waste handling: all waste except scrap metal and recyclables must sit in rigid, water- and animal/rodent-proof upright containers with tight-fitting lids, collection must occur at least twice a month, recyclables need a container solely dedicated to recycling and removed within ninety days, and scrap metal or construction debris must be stored so it threatens neither the environment nor human safety and cleared within ninety days.

Anyone whose solid waste activity exceeds normal residential handling needs a solid waste permit or a limited-purpose permit from the Mason County Community Services Department's Environmental Health Division; under § 6.72.037(a)(1), the health officer will not issue that limited-purpose permit unless the applicant demonstrates the proposed use will not attract or harbor vectors, such as mosquitoes or rats. Permits and exemptions must be renewed with the health director by January 1st of each year under § 6.72.030(c)(2), and a lapsed renewal voids the permit. The health director enforces the chapter under § 6.72.060 and may inspect any property under § 6.72.050.

A property owner who disagrees with an order can appeal to the hearing examiner within fourteen calendar days under § 6.72.120, and the health director may waive a specific requirement under § 6.72.110 where strict compliance would cause extreme hardship without creating unsanitary conditions.