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Port Townsend, WA Trash & Recycling: Illegal Dumping (2026)

Heavy Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified August 2026

Key Facts

Civil penalty
$250 per day of violation
Criminal penalty
$1,000 and/or 180 days jail
Covers
Public and private property
Exception
Owner's express prior approval
Enforced by
Public works director

Summary

Port Townsend bans dumping refuse or garbage on property you don't own, public or private, unless the owner gives prior approval. Violations are declared nuisances enforced under Chapter 1.20.

It shall be unlawful for any person or firm to place or deposit any refuse or garbage upon property not owned by said person or firm, whether or not said refuse or garbage is placed in a container, except that such deposit may be permitted with the express prior approval of the owner or manager of the premises upon which the garbage or refuse is placed or deposited.

View official code

Official source re-checked September 8, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: current through Ordinance 3364, passed May 18, 2026).

Full Breakdown

PTMC 6.12.010 makes it unlawful to place or deposit refuse or garbage on property you don't own, containerized or not, unless the property owner or manager gives express prior approval. PTMC 6.12.020 extends the ban beyond private lots to public and government land: streets, alleys, parks, and other public areas. The public works director enforces the chapter, and every violation is declared a public nuisance subject to Chapter 1.20 PTMC's abatement, civil, and criminal penalty provisions.

Violations & Fines

Dumping without consent is a declared public nuisance: a $250-per-day civil penalty (PTMC 1.20.075) plus possible misdemeanor charges up to $1,000 and/or 180 days in jail (PTMC 1.20.060).

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I dump yard waste on a vacant lot I don't own?
No. PTMC 6.12.010 bans depositing refuse or garbage, bagged or not, on property you don't own unless the owner gives express prior approval.
Does the dumping ban apply to public land like parks?
Yes. PTMC 6.12.020 extends the prohibition to streets, alleys, parks, and other public or government land, not just private lots.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Port Townsend

Collection ScheduleSome RestrictionsBulk Item DisposalSome RestrictionsRecycling RulesSome RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Construction HoursSome RestrictionsDumpster RulesSome RestrictionsPickup Rules & SchedulesSome RestrictionsBin Placement RulesSome RestrictionsRecycling RequirementsSome RestrictionsYard Waste CollectionSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Abandoned VehiclesSome RestrictionsFence Regulations: Retaining WallsSome RestrictionsFence Regulations: Material RestrictionsSome RestrictionsAnimal Ordinances: Wildlife FeedingSome RestrictionsFire Regulations: Wildfire ZonesSome Restrictions

All Port Townsend rules

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