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Yakima County, WA Trash & Recycling: Pickup Rules & Schedules (2026)

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

County Collection
None (disposal sites only)
Unincorporated
UTC-certificated private haulers
State Law
RCW 81.77
City of Yakima
Municipal refuse route

Summary

Yakima County itself runs no curbside collection. In unincorporated areas, UTC-certificated private haulers like Yakima Waste Systems and Basin Disposal provide garbage pickup under RCW 81.77, while the City of Yakima operates its own municipal refuse route.

City-specific rules exist: Yakima has its own pickup rules & schedules rules that differ from Yakima County's county-level regulations. If you live in Yakima, check the city-specific page instead.

No person, his or her lessees, receivers, or trustees, shall engage in the business of operating as a solid waste collection company in this state, except in accordance with the provisions of this chapter.

Source: Revised Code of WashingtonView official code

Full Breakdown

Yakima County's Solid Waste Division operates disposal sites, not household pickup. Curbside garbage in the unincorporated county is handled by private companies holding a certificate from the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission under RCW 81.77, which sets their service areas and rates. Yakima Waste Systems serves Terrace Heights, West Valley, and Selah; Basin Disposal covers the Lower Valley around Sunnyside and Grandview. Set carts out by the hauler's morning deadline. Inside the City of Yakima, the city's Refuse Division runs automated weekly collection. Residents without curbside service self-haul to the Terrace Heights or Cheyne landfills.

Violations & Fines

There is no county penalty for a missed set-out; service depends on your hauler contract. Illegal dumping instead of using a certificated hauler or a county landfill draws fines under state and county solid-waste law.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Yakima County pick up my trash?
No. The county runs landfills and a transfer station, not curbside routes. Unincorporated homes use a UTC-certificated hauler such as Yakima Waste Systems or Basin Disposal, or self-haul to a landfill.
Who collects trash inside the City of Yakima?
The City of Yakima's own Refuse Division provides automated weekly cart collection. County unincorporated areas rely on private certificated haulers instead.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Yakima County

All Yakima County rules

Compare Yakima County to another location·View the Washington trash & recycling overview

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Pickup Rules & Schedules in Cities Across Yakima County