Yakima, WA Trash & Recycling: Collection Schedule (2026)
Key Facts
- Service
- mandatory for residential premises
- Curb time
- carts out by 6:00 a.m.
- Fee
- base fee applies regardless
- Self-haul
- doesn't waive the base fee
Summary
Residential trash service is compulsory in Yakima: every household must be assessed a refuse fee and put carts at the curb by 6 a.m. on collection day.
Every residential premises in the city falling within the residential classification shall be assessed and shall be required to pay for refuse collection services provided by the refuse and recycling division of the department of public works or its licensed collector in accordance with the provisions of this chapter.
B. Base Fee. There shall be a base fee charged for refuse collection in the residential classification. The refuse collection service charges set forth in YMC § 4.16.140(C) include the base fee. In the event any customer in the residential classification declines or refuses to allow the city or its licensed contractor to collect refuse, such customer shall remain liable for the base fee and any other applicable charges unless such garbage and refuse charges are suspended pursuant to YMC § 4.16.140(C)(4).
C.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4980636; v1 updated 2026-08-03; through 08-03-2026).
Full Breakdown
Refuse service in Yakima is compulsory, not optional: every residential property in the residential classification must be assessed and pay for collection through the city's refuse and recycling division or its licensed collector, and the base fee applies even when a resident self-hauls refuse to the landfill instead (YMC 4.16.150). Carts must be placed at the curb by 6:00 a.m. on the scheduled pickup day, and only city-provided containers are emptied; unauthorized containers are left uncollected (YMC 4.16.170(a)).
Violations & Fines
Declining service doesn't excuse the base fee, and suspended accounts remain liable for it under YMC 4.16.150(C); repeated overfilling can trigger a city-ordered increase in cart size or pickup frequency under YMC 4.16.145.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is trash pickup mandatory in Yakima?
What time do carts need to be at the curb in Yakima?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Yakima
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