Seattle mandates weekly collection of garbage, recycling, and food/yard waste through Seattle Public Utilities, with mandatory composting and recycling requirements that make it one of the nation's strictest waste diversion programs.
Seattle Public Utilities provides curbside collection of garbage (weekly or every-other-week depending on cart size), recycling (every other week), and food/yard waste (weekly). All Seattle residents and businesses are required to subscribe to garbage service. The city's mandatory recycling ordinance (SMC 21.36) prohibits placing recyclable materials in the garbage. Food waste composting is mandatory for all residents and businesses. Garbage carts range from mini (12 gallon) to large (96 gallon). Recycling and food/yard waste collection are included in the garbage rate at no additional charge. Collection day schedules are assigned by zone and available online. Contamination of recycling with non-recyclable items may result in rejected loads and educational tags on carts.
Placing recyclable materials or food waste in the garbage can result in cart rejection, warning tags, and fines for repeat violations. Failure to subscribe to garbage service is a violation of the Solid Waste Code. Businesses found in repeated violation of recycling or composting requirements face fines up to $50 per occurrence.
Seattle, WA
Seattle's Land Use Code allows residential lawn ornaments, statuary, and yard art without permits provided structures do not exceed accessory-structure heigh...
Seattle, WA
Seattle does not regulate residential inflatable holiday decorations by size or type. Standard Noise Ordinance (SMC 25.08) limits apply to blower-motor noise...
Seattle, WA
Seattle has no ordinance restricting when residents may put up or take down holiday lights. The general Noise Ordinance SMC 25.08 applies to any amplified ou...
Seattle, WA
Built-in outdoor kitchens in Seattle require building permits from SDCI when they include new electrical, plumbing, gas piping, or a structural roof under Se...
Seattle, WA
Backyard wood and pellet smokers in Seattle are allowed at single-family homes but are subject to Puget Sound Clean Air Agency (PSCAA) Regulation I, Section ...
Seattle, WA
Seattle Fire Code Section 308.1.4 prohibits open-flame cooking devices and LP-gas containers larger than 1 lb on combustible balconies of multi-family buildi...
Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in King County.
See how other cities in King County handle pickup rules & schedules.
See how Seattle's pickup rules & schedules rules stack up against other locations.
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