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

Section 13.14.040 governs dumpster and receptacle capacity for property that is not used as a residence or dwelling, covering commercial, industrial and mixed-use sites across Shoreline. The duty falls on whoever is responsible for the property's condition, meaning an owner, tenant, occupant or other responsible person can each be held accountable, and it requires garbage receptacles of a number and size sufficient to contain all garbage generated on the site, not merely whatever happens to fit. The section also requires lawful disposal of that garbage once collected.

Detachable containers used to meet this duty are defined at § 13.14.010 as watertight metal or plastic containers of at least one cubic yard and no more than eight cubic yards, with a tight-fitting city-approved cover, while larger drop-box containers of 10 cubic yards or more are loaded onto specialized collection vehicles under the same definitions section. Placement of these containers is governed separately by § 13.14.080, which requires drop-box containers to sit at a location agreed to by the customer and the authorized collection company that does not block transportation or sidewalk use.

Weight limits under § 13.14.070 scale up to 16,000 pounds for a 20 to 40 yard roll-off, and receptacles that leak, have jagged edges, or fail a city manager's satisfactory-condition review under § 13.14.060 cannot be used regardless of size.