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Snohomish County, WA Trash & Recycling: Illegal Dumping (2026)

Some Restrictions

Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified July 2026

Key Facts

Dumping ban: SCC 7.35.120
≤ 1 cubic foot: Class 3 civil infraction
1 cu ft to 1 cu yd: Misdemeanor
≥ 1 cubic yard: Gross misdemeanor
State basis: RCW 70A.200 litter act

Summary

Dumping solid waste anywhere except a permitted site is unlawful. Under SCC 7.35.120, littering up to one cubic foot is a civil infraction, up to a cubic yard is a misdemeanor, and a cubic yard or more is a gross misdemeanor, plus restitution.

City-specific rules exist: Edmonds, Lynnwood, Everett, and Marysville have their own illegal dumping rules that differ from Snohomish County's county-level regulations. If you live in one of those cities, check the city-specific page instead.

It is a class 3 civil infraction... for a person to litter in an amount less than or equal to one cubic foot. It is a misdemeanor for a person to litter in an amount greater than one cubic foot but less than one cubic yard... It is a gross misdemeanor for a person to litter in an amount of one cubic yard or more.

View official code

Official source re-checked September 8, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: current through legislation passed August 12, 2026).

Full Breakdown

SCC 7.35.120 makes it unlawful to dump or deposit solid waste onto or under the ground, or into state waters, except at a permitted disposal site. Penalties scale with volume: a class 3 civil infraction for one cubic foot or less; a misdemeanor for more than one cubic foot but less than a cubic yard; and a gross misdemeanor for a cubic yard or more. For the two higher tiers the court also imposes a litter cleanup restitution payment (twice the actual cleanup cost, or $50-$100 per cubic foot). This mirrors Washington's Model Litter Control Act (Chapter 70A.200 RCW). Abandoned junk vehicles are handled under RCW 46.55.230.

Violations & Fines

Class 3 civil infraction (≤ 1 cu ft), misdemeanor (1 cu ft to 1 cu yd), or gross misdemeanor (≥ 1 cu yd), plus cleanup restitution of twice actual cost or $50-$100 per cubic foot.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens if I get caught illegally dumping?

Penalties range from a civil infraction for small amounts to a gross misdemeanor for a cubic yard or more, plus restitution of twice the cleanup cost or $50-$100 per cubic foot.

Can I dump my own yard waste on my own land?

SCC 7.35.120 allows depositing waste from your own activities on land you own or lease only if it does not violate other laws or create a nuisance.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Snohomish County

Collection ScheduleSome Restrictions Bulk Item DisposalSome Restrictions Recycling RulesSome Restrictions Bin Placement RulesSome Restrictions Yard Waste CollectionSome Restrictions Pickup Rules & SchedulesSome Restrictions Recycling RequirementsSome Restrictions Dumpster RulesSome Restrictions Noise Ordinances: Aircraft NoiseFew Restrictions Parking Rules: Loading ZonesSignificant Restrictions Parking Rules: Curb Color RulesSome Restrictions Fence Regulations: Neighbor Fence RulesSome Restrictions Fence Regulations: Material RestrictionsSome Restrictions Fence Regulations: Fence Permit RequirementsSome Restrictions

All Snohomish County rules

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Illegal Dumping in Cities Across Snohomish County

Edmonds, WA Everett, WA Lynnwood, WA Marysville, WA