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Lakewood, WA Trash & Recycling: Recycling Rules (2026)

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

Key Facts

Permit required
All transporters except City's contractor
Permit term
Calendar year, Jan 1-Dec 31
Application fee
$1,000 per year, LMC 13.06.310
Cart registration fee
$100 per cart/location, LMC 13.06.340
Penalty
Up to $500/day unpermitted, 13.06.300(E)

Summary

Lakewood, Pierce County, Washington bars anyone other than the City's licensed garbage contractor from collecting recyclables from generators in the City without a transporter permit under LMC 13.06.300. Unpermitted collection of recyclables carries a civil penalty of up to $500.00 per day.

A. Unless specifically and statutorily exempted from compliance, no transporter other than the City’s contractor shall collect recyclables from generators within the City without having obtained a permit from the City of Lakewood. ... ... E. Any transporter who collects recyclables within the City without a permit shall be subject to a civil penalty of up to $500.00 per day.

View official code

Official source re-checked September 8, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: current through Ordinance 852, passed June 15, 2026).

Full Breakdown

300 regulates who is legally allowed to collect recyclables from any generator in Lakewood at all. Unless a statutory exemption applies, no transporter other than the City's own contractor may collect recyclables from generators within the City without first obtaining a transporter permit from the City of Lakewood. 300(B). 06 LMC. 310, goes to the Public Works Department and must include the applicant's business information, business license number, proof of liability insurance, indemnification language, and a $1,000 application or renewal fee. 340(A), renewable annually.

Violations & Fines

Collecting recyclables within Lakewood without a transporter permit carries a civil penalty of up to $500.00 per day under LMC 13.06.300(E). Placing or maintaining a recycling cart or container in the City without the required permit and location registration is a separate violation, also punishable by a civil penalty of up to $500.00 per day under LMC 13.06.340(D).

Frequently Asked Questions

Can any recycling company collect recyclables in Lakewood?
No. LMC 13.06.300(A) requires any transporter other than the City's own licensed contractor to obtain a transporter permit from the City before collecting recyclables from generators in Lakewood, unless a specific statutory exemption applies.
How much does a Lakewood recyclables transporter permit cost?
LMC 13.06.310(G) sets the application or renewal fee at $1,000 per calendar year, and the permit runs from January 1 through December 31 regardless of when in the year it is issued or paid for, per LMC 13.06.300(B).
What happens if a company collects recyclables in Lakewood without a permit?
It faces a civil penalty of up to $500.00 per day under LMC 13.06.300(E). Placing or maintaining a recycling cart or container in the City without the required permit and $100.00 location registration is a separate violation carrying the same up-to-$500-per-day penalty under LMC 13.06.340(D).

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Lakewood

Collection ScheduleSome RestrictionsBulk Item DisposalSome RestrictionsDumpster RulesSome RestrictionsPickup Rules & SchedulesSome RestrictionsRecycling RequirementsSome RestrictionsYard Waste CollectionSome RestrictionsHoliday Pickup ScheduleLight RestrictionsBin Placement RulesSome RestrictionsIllegal DumpingSome RestrictionsParking Rules: EV ChargingLight RestrictionsParking Rules: Loading ZonesSome RestrictionsAnimal Ordinances: Wildlife FeedingSome RestrictionsAnimal Ordinances: Mandatory Spay/NeuterSome RestrictionsAnimal Ordinances: Exotic PetsHeavy RestrictionsEnvironmental Rules: Boat Dock PermitsSome Restrictions

All Lakewood rules

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