Bothell, WA Trash & Recycling: Bin Placement Rules (2026)

Bothell Municipal Code § 8.20.080 spells out how a customer in the City of Bothell sets out carts. The variable cart rate is based upon carts, bins and refuse material being placed two feet apart, at least three feet from cars, trees, mailboxes, and fences. Cart wheels go as close to the curb as possible with cart lids opening towards the street. Those three placement rules let the truck's mechanical arm reach each cart without hitting a parked car, a post or a tree.

Weight limits apply to what goes in the cart. The total weight of each article of refuse is not to exceed 65 pounds per 32-gallon capacity. Larger carts are lifted mechanically and are limited to 200 pounds.

Timing and retrieval come from related sections. Residential collections are made between 7:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday under § 8.20.080(B), so a cart has to be at the curb for that window. After the truck passes, § 8.20.180 says all carts should be removed from the street at the customer's earliest convenience to prevent neighborhood nuisances and impacts to street related services such as street sweeping, parking or events.

The path to the cart matters too. Under § 8.20.160(F), all walks, paths and driveways from the garbage, recycling or organics can storage area to the place of loading must have unrestricted overhead clearance to meet garbage truck specifications approved by the solid waste hauler.

If a cart is set out inappropriately, improperly prepared or contaminated, § 8.20.080(C) directs the contractor to place a notification tag in a prominent location that identifies the specific problems and the reason for rejecting the materials, per the fee listed in the hauler contract. Customers who cannot move carts can use carry-out service, free for disabled customers under the contract.