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

080 makes it unlawful for any person to dump or deposit solid waste onto or under the ground, or into state waters, anywhere in unincorporated Skagit County except at a permitted solid waste facility, or at a recycling, composting, or intermediate handling operation specifically exempted under WAC 173-350-210, 173-350-220 and 173-350-310. 060, splits offenses into two tiers: a minor illegal dumping offense is depositing no more than three cubic yards of household solid waste in an unapproved manner or location, while a major illegal dumping offense covers depositing more than three cubic yards of household or commercial waste, including building materials, sheetrock, asphaltic roofing, waste tires and demolition debris, or any quantity deposited in a way that threatens public health or the environment.

440. After a notice of violation, the Health Officer can order immediate cessation, set an abatement schedule, abate the violation directly if the schedule is missed, and assess a civil penalty under the county's Schedule of Charges: Skagit County Health Department. Major illegal dumping offenses and any dumping or release of a hazardous substance both draw a penalty of twice the cost the violator would have paid to dispose of the material legally, on top of abatement, remediation, disposal and sampling costs. Each day a violation continues counts as a separate offense. 450 and can be pursued through the Prosecuting Attorney, including injunctive action against repeat violators.