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

Richland created its solid waste utility under RMC § 15.01.010 as an exercise of the city's police power to protect public health and safety, funded through the council's appropriation process. Administration falls to the public works director, who under RMC § 15.01.020 sets the days of collection, container locations and other collection rules subject to city manager approval. RMC § 15.01.040(A) makes taking city refuse service compulsory for every person in possession, charge or control of a dwelling or structure that generates waste; declining service does not excuse the regular sanitation charge, and the city grants an exemption only for unusual or extraordinary circumstances approved case by case.

Subsection (B) separately bars burning, dumping or otherwise disposing of garbage, rubbish, trash or offal on streets, alleys, public places or private property outside the city's collection system, and subsection (C) requires anyone whose property has accumulated stray refuse from animals or the elements to clear it within 24 hours. A resident who vacates a unit can place the account in abeyance for a $40.00 fee under RMC § 15.03.040(A), suspending the daily charge until occupancy resumes. Violations of Title 15's requirements, including the compulsory-service mandate, are enforced as a civil infraction carrying the penalty set under RMC § 10.02.050(E), per the catch-all enforcement clause at RMC § 15.05.030(G), and a continuing violation is treated as a separate offense for each day it persists under RMC § 15.05.030(H).