Seattle requires garbage, recycling, and compost containers to be placed at the curb or alley edge on collection day and stored on private property between collections, with specific placement rules to ensure safe collection access.
Containers must be placed at the curb or alley collection point by 7 AM on the scheduled collection day with lids closed and handles facing the street. Carts must be spaced at least 3 feet apart and 3 feet from obstructions such as cars, mailboxes, and other containers. Containers must not block sidewalks, driveways, bike lanes, or fire hydrants. After collection, containers must be retrieved and stored on private property by the end of the collection day. In areas without alleys, front-yard placement on the parking strip is standard. Multifamily buildings must provide designated collection areas accessible to collection vehicles, with enclosures to screen containers from public view.
Containers left at the curb between collection days may result in complaints and notices of violation. Blocking sidewalks or fire hydrants with containers can trigger SDOT or fire department response. Multifamily properties without adequate screening enclosures may face land use code violations.
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Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in King County.
See how other cities in King County handle bin placement rules.
See how Seattle's bin placement rules rules stack up against other locations.
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