Garbage & Waste

Snohomish County Health Department is involved in permitting and monitoring how garbage and other waste is handled in Snohomish County. The Health Department works to assure compliance with RCW 70.95, WAC 173-304 - Minimum Functional Standards for Solid Waste Facilities and WAC 173-350 - Solid Waste Handling Standards. 

Garbage complaints

We investigate complaints concerning the following activities:

  • Uncontained putrescible garbage or excessive amounts of animal waste that attracts flies or rodents
  • Illegal dumping on private or public property without the owner's permission
  • Burning of non-vegetative materials
  • Improper hazardous waste storage

When we receive a complaint, we investigate the concern and work to resolve the issue with involved parties.

Garbage disposal & recycling facilities

Garbage must be disposed of at an approved Snohomish County Solid Waste Facility. See Snohomish County for a list of transfer stations.

Recyclable materials, such as appliances, construction debris, yard waste and metals, may be disposed at recycling centers for specific items. See list of recyclers.

  1. How to File a Complaint
  2. Nuisance Properties

HOW TO FILE A COMPLAINT

Contact the Health Department by phone, email or online. Your name and phone number are kept confidential, but they help ensure we can properly follow-up and investigate. Anonymous complaints may not be investigated.

Please be prepared to provide the following information:

  • What is the problem? Describe the type of nuisance and how often it happens
  • Where is the problem? Street address or cross streets, plus city and zip code
  • What kind of material is involved? What type of garbage or waste?
  • How much is there?

CONDITIONS INVESTIGATED BY OTHER AGENCIES

Snohomish County Health Department does not investigate the following types of complaints. Please visit the partners linked below.