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

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified August 2026

Key Facts

Governing section
K.C.C. § 10.04.040
Scope
Unincorporated King County only
Set-out time window
Not fixed by county code
Max penalty
$1,000 fine, 90 days jail
Enforcer
King County health officer

Summary

Unincorporated King County requires trash and recycling containers to be sturdy, rodent-proof and kept where your certificated hauler can reach them on collection day: the code sets no fixed set-out or pickup-removal time window.

City-specific rules exist: Renton, Kirkland, Kent, Auburn, Federal Way, and Seattle have their own bin placement rules rules that differ from King County's county-level regulations. If you live in one of those cities, check the city-specific page instead.

Solid waste containers shall be constructed in such a manner as to be strong, watertight, not easily corroded, rodent proof, insect proof, and shall have adequate handles and tight fitting lids. ... Each container shall be kept in a place accessible to the solid waste collection entity on scheduled collection days.

Source: King County Solid Waste Division ServiceView official code

Full Breakdown

King County Code § 10.04.040 requires every solid waste container to be strong, watertight, rodent- and insect-proof, with tight-fitting lids, and kept in a place accessible to your certificated hauler on scheduled collection days. The code sets no specific hours-before/after set-out or removal window; haulers fix exact curb-time rules through their own service agreements. This applies only in unincorporated King County. Seattle, Bellevue, Kent, Renton, Federal Way, Auburn, Redmond, Kirkland, Sammamish, Burien, Shoreline and Issaquah run their own municipal codes and are not covered here.

Violations & Fines

K.C.C. 10.08.100 authorizes the health officer to enforce container rules through the prosecuting attorney; Title 10 violations are a misdemeanor punishable by up to 90 days in jail and a $1,000 fine.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does King County set exact hours for putting my cart out?
No. K.C.C. 10.04.040 only requires containers be kept accessible to the hauler on collection days: specific set-out and removal times come from your certificated hauler's service terms, not the county code.
Does this rule apply inside Seattle?
No. Seattle, Bellevue, Kent, Renton, Federal Way and the county's other incorporated cities have their own municipal codes; K.C.C. Title 10 governs unincorporated areas only.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in King County

Collection ScheduleSome RestrictionsBulk Item DisposalSome RestrictionsRecycling RequirementsSome RestrictionsYard Waste CollectionSome RestrictionsPickup Rules & SchedulesSome RestrictionsHoliday Pickup ScheduleLight RestrictionsIllegal DumpingHeavy RestrictionsMandatory Organics RecyclingSome RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Vehicle NoiseSome RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Aircraft NoiseFew RestrictionsParking Rules: Curb Color RulesSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Loading ZonesSome RestrictionsFence Regulations: Fence Permit RequirementsLight RestrictionsAnimal Ordinances: Breed RestrictionsSignificant Restrictions

All King County rules

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Bin Placement Rules in Cities Across King County

Seattle, WABellevue, WAKent, WARenton, WAFederal Way, WAKirkland, WAAuburn, WARedmond, WA