Richland, WA Trash & Recycling: Dumpster Rules (2026)

RMC § 23.22.020(B) applies a set of buffer standards to commercial uses immediately adjacent to residentially zoned property, defined by subsection (B)(7) as abutting a residential zone or located within 75 feet of the nearest residential property, excluding parcels separated by a public right-of-way. Within that buffer, subsection (B)(7)(g), Refuse Areas, requires any dumpster or area for collecting recycled materials to sit back at least 20 feet from the nearest residential property boundary and to be screened from view by a solid screen sufficient to block visibility from every adjacent residential property.

The same subsection layers on companion requirements: parking and access drives need a 10-foot setback with a 6 to 8-foot solid fence or masonry wall under (B)(7)(c), rooftop mechanical equipment must be screened by a parapet wall or similar structure under (B)(7)(b), and any portion of the site within 30 feet of a residential boundary that is not covered by buildings, parking, access drives, loading or storage must be landscaped or xeriscaped under (B)(7)(h). These refuse-area rules apply on top of the base C-1 neighborhood retail standard in RMC § 23.22.020(B)(2), which independently requires outdoor storage areas incidental to a permitted use to be enclosed by at least a 6-foot fence and screened from adjoining properties.