King County, WA Trash & Recycling: Yard Waste Collection (2026)
Key Facts
- Collection frequency
- 2x/month (weekly with organics program)
- Winter frequency
- Monthly, December-February
- Size limit
- 4 in. diameter, 4 ft. long
- Non-compliance result
- Container tagged, not emptied
- Coverage
- Unincorporated areas only
Summary
Unincorporated King County requires yard waste to be kept out of the garbage can. Certificated haulers won't empty a solid waste container with visible yard debris in it: they tag it and leave it instead.
Containers set out at single-family dwellings and multifamily structures or complexes in unincorporated service areas for collection of solid waste by certificated haulers shall not contain yard waste. However, if the division director determines that collection of organics is feasible; organics may be commingled with yard waste to be collected for composting.
Full Breakdown
Under K.C.C. 10.18.010, haulers must offer curbside yard waste collection to every single-family home and multifamily complex in the unincorporated service area, at least twice a month March through November and monthly December through February (weekly, year-round, where an organics program also runs). Grass, leaves, branches and prunings under four inches thick and four feet long qualify; unflocked holiday trees are accepted up to four feet with no diameter cap. Yard waste cannot go in the regular trash container: haulers skip and tag any container where it's visible.
Violations & Fines
Haulers refuse to collect and attach a tag to any solid waste container with visible yard waste, citing the source-separation requirement and explaining how to sign up for yard waste service; the code sets no separate monetary fine.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I put yard waste in my regular garbage can in unincorporated King County?
Does King County Code cover yard waste rules inside Seattle or Bellevue?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in King County
Compare King County to another location·View the Washington trash & recycling overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.