Bothell, WA Trash & Recycling: Collection Schedule (2026)

Bothell Municipal Code § 8.20.280 makes garbage collection mandatory in the City of Bothell. All persons are entitled and required to use the services of a solid waste hauler licensed by the city, or the services of the city if it elects to be the collector, using the schedule and routes determined and approved by the city and filed with the city clerk, public works director or designee. The city can contact the city-contracted collector to confirm that a customer has service.

Enforcement runs through the code compliance officer, who can issue a civil infraction with the applicable fine. If service is not maintained by a required customer, the fine is twenty-five dollars per day per container for a required residential customer and two hundred fifty dollars per day per container for a required commercial or multifamily customer. Because the fine accrues per day and per container, an unserved multi-container site builds up quickly.

Repeat violations escalate. Under subsection E, if the same violator has previously committed an infraction for the same or similar conduct under this chapter or other similar code, statute or regulation two or more separate times, any further violations are misdemeanors punishable as provided in Chapter 1.24 BMC. A certified copy of the judgment, docket or other court document is prima facie evidence of a prior infraction. Subsection F makes a property owner found to have committed an infraction responsible for costs of nonprosecutorial city staff involvement in court proceedings, provided state law does not prohibit them.

One exception is written into § 8.20.285. Mobile home parks and travel trailer courts that, prior to July 1, 1993, had an internal and operating garbage, recycling and solid waste collection service can continue it, but the service must meet or exceed the city collector's service levels, including identical or greater recycling services and disposal of organics. If it falls short, the public works director can order it to cease, and § 8.20.280 then applies.

On timing, § 8.20.180 requires garbage, recycling and organic material to be removed at least once weekly from occupied premises in the residential sections, and § 8.20.080 sets residential collection between 7:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.