Island County, WA Trash & Recycling: Illegal Dumping (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing sections
- Island County Code §§ 8.08B.070, 8.08B.440
- Minor dumping penalty
- $2,500 per violation
- Major dumping penalty
- $5,000 per violation
- Littering penalty
- $500 per violation
- Improper storage penalty
- $250 per day
- Enforcing officials
- Health Officer and Sheriff's deputies
Summary
Dumping solid waste anywhere in unincorporated Island County outside a permitted disposal facility is a public-nuisance violation of Island County Code § 8.08B.070, enforced by the Health Department. Minor illegal dumping draws a $2,500 administrative penalty per violation, major illegal dumping draws $5,000 per violation, and ordinary littering under the same section carries a flat $500 penalty, with every day of a continuing violation counted separately.
A.General.1.It shall be unlawful for any person to dump, or deposit, or permit the dumping or depositing of any solid waste onto or under the surface of the ground or into the waters of this state, except at an appropriate solid waste handling facility for which there is a valid permit. ... 2.Any person who deposits, permits to be deposited, or causes to be deposited any solid waste in any area of Island County, other than in an authorized solid waste handling facility, transfer station, refuse or other garbage container, or in an authorized manner, shall be subject to penalty under section 8.08B.440, violations and penalties. ... (iii)Minor illegal dumping violations of section 8.08B.070 shall be penalized in the amount of two thousand five hundred dollars ($2,500.00) per violation.(iv)Major illegal dumping violations of section 8.08B.070 shall be penalized in the amount of five thousand dollars ($5,000.00) per violation.
Full Breakdown
1 makes it unlawful for anyone to dump, deposit or permit the dumping or depositing of solid waste onto or under the surface of the ground or into the waters of the state, except at an appropriate, validly permitted solid waste handling facility. The section carves out one narrow exception: a person may dump agricultural waste from his or her own farming activity onto or under ground the person owns or leases, as long as it does not otherwise violate the code or create a nuisance.
440. C lets the Health Officer order the property owner to remove the material and dispose of it at a permitted facility; on public land, the responsible government agency must handle the cleanup instead. 070 is $500 per violation, and improper storage that invites dumping-related nuisances is $250 per day. Each day a violation continues counts as a separate offense, and unpaid penalties can be pursued through legal action, including a lien against the property.
Violations & Fines
The Health Officer can order immediate cessation, order abatement on a set schedule, and seek judicial authorization to abate if the schedule is missed, on top of the administrative penalty. Notices and penalties are served in person or by certified mail, penalties become due within 30 days, and unpaid amounts can be charged as a lien against the property under section 8.08B.450.
Frequently Asked Questions
What counts as illegal dumping in unincorporated Island County?
How much is the fine for illegal dumping?
Who enforces illegal dumping in Island County, and how?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Island County
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