Solid Waste Permits

The Snohomish County Health Department issues permits for garbage disposal, waste handling, and composting activities in Snohomish County. Examples of permitted activities include:

  • Drop-box locations
  • Land application of biosolids
  • Landfills
  • Piles used for storage and treatment
  • Surface impoundments and tanks

Solid waste permit application information

Every new facility is required to submit applicable permits, plans and the required fee at the time of application. Application submittals may need the following:

permit renewals

Annual operating permits for solid waste handling facilities are issued on a mid-year basis and expire on June 30th each year. Additionally, all permitted facilities must complete the Annual Permit Renewal Application and submit the appropriate permit fee. 

Email the Completed Renewal Applications. 

As a reminder, Annual Reports are due to the Department of Ecology by April 1st each year. An additional copy must be emailed to the Snohomish County Health Department.

All permits issued by Snohomish County Health Department are subject to review by Washington State Department of Ecology (DOE). DOE retains the right to appeal any Health Department decision.

Solid waste facility types

Each facility will submit one or more of the following applications based on their operations and facility use:

Waste clearance

Some wastes aren’t accepted at Snohomish County transfer stations or other disposal sites without pre-approval from the Snohomish County Health Department. The Snohomish County Health Department provides a determination for some wastes generated from a site or business for final disposal, per Health Department Code 2.15.220 and WAC 173-303-070. Email the Health Department to see if your situation would require you to submit a Waste Screening Determination Form. This process will determine if the waste is hazardous, solid waste, regulated, or non-regulated so you can properly dispose in Snohomish County.

Solid waste permit modifications

Facilities that need to make changes to an existing solid waste handling permit must submit the following:

Solid waste permit exemptions

Chapter 173-350 WAC, Solid Waste Handling Standards specifies that certain solid waste facilities are exempt from solid waste permitting if they meet certain requirements and operating procedures as identified in the rule. These facilities include certain recycling facilities, compost facilities, intermediate solid waste handling facilities, piles used for treatment or storage, and moderate risk waste facilities. One of the requirements is for the facility to submit a Notice of Intent to Operate Under Terms and Conditions for Solid Waste Permit Exemption application to the WA State Department of Ecology and the Snohomish Health Department with their intent to operate as a facility exempt under chapter 173-350 WAC. For most exempt facilities, there is also Annual Reporting and an application review and inspection fee (see the Solid Waste Fee Schedule (PDF)).

Solid waste permit fees

Solid waste permits are valid July 1 through June 30. Permits issued on or after January 1 are eligible for a reduced fee.

Fees for multiple solid waste facilities at one location are charged the highest permit fee plus 2/3 of the applicable permit fee for each additional permitted operation.

*In addition to base fees, we charge $205 an hour when base fee time limits are exceeded.