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Island County, WA Trash & Recycling: Recycling Rules (2026)

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

Key Facts

Governing section
§ 13.02A.080, Chapter 13.02A
Permit required from
Island County Health Department
County recycling priority
Second, after waste reduction
Unpermitted-site penalty
Misdemeanor, up to $1,000 / 90 days
No curbside mandate
Chapter 13.04 service levels repealed 2013

Summary

Unincorporated Island County's solid waste code doesn't ban or discourage recycling: section 13.02A.080 says nothing in Chapter 13.02A stops waste recycling at a reclamation site, provided the operation follows applicable law. Running that reclamation site does require a permit from the Island County Health Department, the same office that oversees the rest of the county's solid waste system.

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

Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to prohibit or inhibit waste recycling at reclamation sites so long as otherwise conducted in accord with applicable laws, rules, and regulations. A reclamation site shall be subject to permit requirements of the Health Department.

View official code

Full Breakdown

080 carves out recycling specifically. 070. 030 ranks waste reduction first, waste recycling second, energy recovery and incineration third, and landfill last, and lets the Board of County Commissioners weigh environmental, collection, disposal and capacity savings when it negotiates waste reduction and recycling service contracts. B, gathers public input on the county's solid waste management plan, including its recycling priorities. 04, was repealed in 2013.

Violations & Fines

Operating a reclamation site without the Health Department permit required by section 13.02A.080 exposes the operator to the general Chapter 13.02A penalty in section 13.02A.120: a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of up to $1,000, up to 90 days in jail, or both, with each day of noncompliance treated as its own offense. An unpermitted site can also be declared a public nuisance under section 13.02A.130, letting the prosecuting attorney seek an injunction to shut it down.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is recycling allowed at reclamation sites in unincorporated Island County?
Yes. Section 13.02A.080 of the Island County Code says nothing in the solid waste chapter is meant to prohibit or inhibit waste recycling at a reclamation site, as long as the operation otherwise complies with applicable laws, rules and regulations.
Do I need a permit to run a recycling reclamation site?
Yes. Section 13.02A.080 makes reclamation sites subject to the same permit requirement the Island County Health Department applies to other solid waste facilities under section 13.02A.070, covering siting, construction, and operation.
Does the county require a set amount of recycling from residents?
No specific recycling rate or curbside requirement is in force. Section 13.02A.030 lists waste recycling as the county's second priority after waste reduction, but the chapter that once set minimum residential recycling service levels, Chapter 13.04, was repealed in 2013.
What happens if a reclamation site operates without the required permit?
It becomes a misdemeanor under section 13.02A.120, punishable by up to a $1,000 fine, up to 90 days in jail, or both, with each day counted separately, and the site can be declared a public nuisance under section 13.02A.130.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Island County

Bulk Item DisposalLight RestrictionsFence Regulations: Height LimitsSome RestrictionsIllegal DumpingHeavy RestrictionsRecycling RequirementsFew RestrictionsPickup Rules & SchedulesSome RestrictionsParking Rules: EV ChargingLight RestrictionsFence Regulations: Retaining WallsSome RestrictionsFence Regulations: Fence Permit RequirementsSignificant RestrictionsFence Regulations: Neighbor Fence RulesFew RestrictionsAnimal Ordinances: Veterinary Clinic ZoningSome Restrictions

All Island County rules

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