Sammamish, WA Trash & Recycling: Recycling Requirements (2026)
Key Facts
- Requirement
- storage space for recyclables, compost, solid waste
- Applies to
- all new buildings
- Exempt occupancies
- Group R-3 (1-2 family) and Group U
- Design standard
- sized for occupancy needs, accessible to haulers
- Adopted via
- 2021 IBC amendment, SMC 16.05.070(3)
Summary
Sammamish's adopted building code requires every new building to include dedicated storage space for recycled materials, compost, and solid waste, under Municipal Code 16.05.070(3). The rule exempts single-family and duplex (Group R-3) and utility (Group U) occupancies, and the space must fit the building's needs and be usable by both occupants and haulers.
(3) Recyclable materials, compost, and solid waste storage. For the purposes of this section, the following definitions shall apply: COMPOST means biodegradable solid wastes that are separated for composting such as food waste, food soiled paper and yard waste. RECYCLED MATERIALS means those solid wastes that are separated for recycling or reuse, such as papers, metals and glass. All local jurisdictions shall require that space be provided for the storage of recycled materials, compost, and solid waste for all new buildings. EXCEPTION: Group R-3 and Group U Occupancies. The storage area shall be designed to meet the needs of the occupancy, efficiency of pickup, and shall be available to occupants and haulers.
Official source re-checked September 8, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: current through Ordinance O2026-598, and legislation passed through August 18, 2026).
Full Breakdown
070. ' It then states flatly that 'all local jurisdictions shall require that space be provided for the storage of recycled materials, compost, and solid waste for all new buildings,' with a carved-out exception for Group R-3 (detached one- and two-family dwellings and townhouses) and Group U (accessory/utility) occupancies. The storage area itself 'shall be designed to meet the needs of the occupancy, efficiency of pickup, and shall be available to occupants and haulers,' meaning building plans submitted to the City must show a space sized for the expected volume of recyclables, compost and trash and physically accessible for collection.
05, the requirement is checked at the building permit and plan review stage administered by the City's community development department, alongside the rest of the amendments and additions the City made when adopting the 2021 IBC, such as its snow-load, seismic, and wind-speed design criteria.
Violations & Fines
Recycling storage is a building code design requirement, so failing to provide it blocks plan approval and building permit issuance; if noncompliant construction proceeds anyway, SMC 16.05.170 routes the violation to the Title 23 civil code compliance process, where SMC 23.100.010 allows an infraction of up to $1,000 and a stop-work order of up to $1,000.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Sammamish require recycling bins in new buildings?
Are single-family homes in Sammamish subject to the recycling storage rule?
Where in the code is Sammamish's recycling space requirement found?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Sammamish
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Recycling Requirements in Nearby Cities
How other cities in King County handle recycling requirements.