Renton, WA Trash & Recycling: Mandatory Organics Recycling (2026)

RMC 4-4-090 governs on-site refuse, recyclables, and compostables infrastructure citywide. Subsection A applies the requirement to all new and infill residential, commercial, and industrial development and other nonresidential uses, mandating the establishment of on-site refuse, recyclables, and compostables deposit areas and designated collection points as a condition of development, not merely a service customers can opt into. For single-family dwellings, middle housing, and cottage house developments specifically, RMC 4-4-090(C)(1)(a) requires storage space for compostables carts to be built either inside a garage or accessory structure, or outside on the same lot, sized to at least two feet by six feet with 60 inches of vertical clearance if placed in a garage, and identified on the building's floor plans.

The deposit area must also be screened from public view under 4-4-090(C)(1)(b) using wood, masonry, or ornamental metal, and it cannot be used to satisfy required parking space. 5 square feet per unit for recyclables deposit areas (unless the project uses individual curbside carts) and collocated compostables and refuse areas dispersed across the site if it has more than one building, fenced or screened with a six-foot wall where outdoors. Commercial, industrial, and other nonresidential uses scale the requirement by building size, up to 100 square feet minimum for larger retail projects. A screening detail plan has to be approved by the Development Services Division before building or construction permits issue.