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Kitsap County, WA Trash & Recycling: Recycling Requirements (2026)

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

Key Facts

Governing section
KCC § 9.48.040(1)(A)
Default rule
Automatic if you have garbage service
Exemption
Approved senior/disabled property-tax-exempt
Applies to
Unincorporated Kitsap County only
Exemption process
Apply to solid waste division
Multifamily rule
Same automatic billing, § 9.48.040(2)(A)

Summary

Curbside recycling is not opt-in for most Kitsap County households: if a single-family customer already gets garbage pickup in unincorporated Kitsap County, the hauler automatically adds recycling service and bills for it. Kitsap County Code 9.48.040(1)(A) makes this the default, with a narrow exemption only for approved senior and disabled property-tax-exempt households.

These county ordinances apply to unincorporated areas of Kitsap County. Incorporated cities within the county may have their own rules that take precedence over county-level regulations.

Single-family customers receiving curbside garbage collection service will receive and be billed for curbside recycling service. Senior citizens and disabled persons that are approved by the Kitsap County assessor for property tax exemption or rental home tenants that meet the age or disability requirements and income threshold for the Kitsap County tax exemption are eligible for exemption from participation in the curbside recycling program. These citizens must apply to the division to qualify for this exemption. The division must notify the solid waste company of the names and addresses of the citizens that qualify for this exemption. These citizens will not receive curbside recycling service and will not be billed for the service.

View official code

Full Breakdown

010, and the chapter sets the minimum service level rather than leaving it to the hauler's discretion. 040(1)(A) states that single-family customers receiving curbside garbage collection service will receive and be billed for curbside recycling service; there is no separate sign-up. The only carve-out is for senior citizens and disabled persons approved by the Kitsap County assessor for a property tax exemption, or rental home tenants who meet the same age, disability and income thresholds, who must apply to the county's solid waste division to be exempted from participation and billing.

040(1)(B). 030 limits the whole program's territorial reach: curbside recycling service is available to all single-family and multifamily customers in unincorporated Kitsap County only, not inside Bremerton, Port Orchard, Poulsbo or Bainbridge Island. 040(2)(A), tied to whether the building already receives curbside garbage service.

Violations & Fines

Kitsap County Code does not fine a household for its mandatory recycling charge; the requirement is structural, built into the garbage bill under WUTC-approved rate structures. A customer who believes they qualify for the senior or disabled exemption but was not enrolled must apply to the solid waste division, which notifies the hauler of qualifying names and addresses so billing stops.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I opt out of curbside recycling billing in Kitsap County?
No. Under Section 9.48.040(1)(A), single-family customers receiving curbside garbage collection automatically receive and are billed for curbside recycling service; there is no separate enrollment. The only way out is the exemption for approved senior citizens, disabled persons, or qualifying rental tenants, who must apply through the county's solid waste division.
How do I get the senior or disabled recycling exemption?
Apply to the Kitsap County solid waste division. Section 9.48.040(1)(A) limits the exemption to seniors and disabled persons approved by the county assessor for a property tax exemption, or rental tenants meeting the same age, disability and income thresholds; once approved, the division notifies the hauler so billing and service stop.
I don't have garbage pickup, can I still get recycling service?
Yes. Section 9.48.040(1)(B) lets single-family customers without curbside garbage service contact the solid waste company directly to receive and be billed for curbside recycling service on its own. Multifamily buildings follow the same automatic-billing structure as single-family accounts once they have curbside garbage collection, under Section 9.48.040(2)(A).

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Kitsap County

Collection ScheduleSome RestrictionsRecycling RulesSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Street Parking LimitsSome RestrictionsPickup Rules & SchedulesSome RestrictionsYard Waste CollectionSome RestrictionsIllegal DumpingHeavy RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Vehicle NoiseSignificant RestrictionsParking Rules: Commercial & Oversized VehiclesSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Driveway RulesSome RestrictionsParking Rules: EV ChargingSome RestrictionsAnimal Ordinances: Veterinary Clinic ZoningSome Restrictions

All Kitsap County rules

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