Beaverton and Washington County apartment owners, asset managers, and on-site teams: avoid preventable civil infractions while giving residents the modern doorstep trash & recycling amenity they expect. National Doorstep’s valet trash & recycling program is engineered to align with Beaverton City Code Chapter 4.08 (Solid Waste and Recycling), the City’s multifamily recycling standards, Washington County’s minimum multifamily service volumes, and Oregon’s Opportunity to Recycle requirements for 5+ unit communities.
Within the City of Beaverton, property managers of multifamily communities are required to provide residents with adequate and convenient garbage and recycling service, including a two-sort recycling system (glass separate), minimum weekly capacity of 20 gallons garbage + 20 gallons recycling + 1 gallon glass per unit, and clear education on how to recycle. Failure to provide required recycling at a multifamily community is treated as a civil infraction by the owner/property manager, with the City’s civil-infraction schedule allowing fines of up to $500 per day, depending on violation class. In other Washington County cities and unincorporated areas, property managers are still expected to meet county and Metro minimum service volumes and keep containers clean, labeled, and convenient for residents.
- Protect NOI & Asset Value: Reduce risk of per-day civil infractions (up to $500/day for Class 1 violations) by aligning your multifamily trash & recycling system with Beaverton and Washington County standards.
- Resident-First Convenience: Doorstep collection that keeps residents out of dark enclosures, reduces trips to dumpsters, and supports renewals and online reputation.
- Code-Smart Design: Container layouts, labels, and service frequencies designed around 20/20/1 gallon per-unit minimums and Metro-aligned multifamily recycling rules.
- Hands-Off Compliance: We handle hauler coordination, resident education, and documentation so your team can focus on leasing, renewals, and operations.
At a Glance: City of Beaverton vs. Washington County & Other Cities
City of Beaverton (Inside City Limits)
- Mandate Type: Mandatory multifamily recycling service by city code and administrative rules.
- Applicability Threshold: Applies to multifamily communities (generally 5+ units) where residents share service; owners/property managers must provide adequate and convenient garbage and recycling.
- Property Manager Duties: Provide weekly service that meets at least 20 gal garbage, 20 gal recycling, and 1 gal glass per unit; maintain enough containers to prevent overflow; keep recycling containers in locations reasonably similar and convenient compared to garbage; and keep areas safe and sanitary.
- Program Duties: Provide a two-sort recycling system (glass separated from other recyclables); use city-approved signage and labels; give residents clear information on what and where to recycle to satisfy Oregon’s “opportunity to recycle” requirements.
- Key City Links: Beaverton Code – Chapter 4.08 Solid Waste & Recycling (PDF) · Beaverton Solid Waste & Recycling Administrative Rules · Beaverton – Property Managers (Apartments/Condos) · Beaverton – Residential & Shared Service Rates
Washington County & Other Cities
- Mandate Type: Mandatory multifamily service standards via Washington County & Metro rules, implemented by cities and franchised haulers.
- Applicability Threshold: Multifamily communities and condos (typically 5+ units) using shared containers; property managers must meet county minimums and provide recycling access and education.
- Regional Minimum Service: At least 20 gal garbage + 20 gal mixed recycling + 1 gal glass per unit per week, with enough capacity to prevent overflow and containers clearly labeled for residents.
- Program Duties: Work with the franchised hauler to meet or exceed minimum volumes; label containers with standardized regional signs; meet evolving color-coding requirements (e.g., gray/black for garbage, blue for recycling, orange for glass) where adopted; and coordinate resident education with Washington County’s Cooperative Recycling Program.
- How National Doorstep Helps: We design doorstep trash & recycling programs that fit Beaverton, Hillsboro, Tigard, Tualatin, Sherwood, Cornelius, Durham, King City, Banks, Forest Grove, North Plains, and unincorporated Washington County — so your properties are “inspection ready” across the west side.
- Key Regional Links: Washington County – Multifamily Recycling Standards · Washington County – Multifamily Property Managers · Washington County – Garbage & Recycling at Home · Oregon ORS 459A.007 – Opportunity to Recycle
Washington County Cities & Apartment Recycling Mandates
Across Washington County, state law, county standards, and city franchises work together to require recycling access at multifamily communities. Beaverton is the most explicit, directly tying failure to provide recycling at a multifamily community to a civil infraction for the owner. Other cities lean on Metro-aligned minimum service standards and franchise rules, but they still expect clean, well-managed enclosures and adequate recycling for residents.
| City / Area | Apartment Recycling Mandate? | Notes for Property Managers & Owners |
|---|---|---|
| Beaverton | Yes – explicit multifamily recycling requirements |
Owners and property managers of multifamily communities are required to provide residents with adequate and convenient garbage and recycling, including a two-sort recycling system and minimum weekly volumes of 20 gal garbage + 20 gal recycling + 1 gal glass per unit. Failure to provide required recycling at a multifamily community is treated as an infraction by the owner, with enforcement through Beaverton’s civil infraction system (potentially up to $500/day, depending on classification). Key links: Beaverton Code – Ch. 4.08 · Beaverton – Admin Rules · Beaverton – Property Managers |
| Hillsboro | Yes – bundled garbage & recycling via city-franchised haulers |
Hillsboro sets rates for franchised haulers; standard residential and many multifamily services bundle garbage, mixed recycling, glass, and organics. While Hillsboro does not publish a standalone “multifamily mandate” chapter, apartment communities are expected to provide recycling to residents through these bundled services and to keep enclosures clean and compliant. Key links: Hillsboro – Garbage & Recycling · City of Hillsboro – Official Site |
| Tigard | Yes – “opportunity to recycle” via solid waste franchise |
Under Tigard Municipal Code and its solid waste franchise, haulers are required to provide the opportunity to recycle to all customers, including multifamily communities. Apartments are treated as commercial customers but must be offered recycling service that aligns with regional standards. Property managers should ensure recycling is included with shared service and that residents have clear access and instructions. Key links: Tigard – Solid Waste & Recycling · Tigard Code – Solid Waste Management |
| Tualatin | Yes – explicit multifamily trash & recycling expectations |
Tualatin’s trash and recycling program is provided by Republic Services under a city franchise. The city is part of the Washington County Cooperative Recycling Program and publishes specific guidance for “Multifamily (Apartments/Condos)”, aligning with county minimum service volumes and container standards. Property managers are expected to provide residents with adequate garbage, recycling, and glass service and to use county/Metro-aligned signage. Key links: Tualatin – Trash & Recycling · Tualatin – Garbage & Recycling FAQs |
| Cornelius | Yes – city code references state & county recycling requirements |
Cornelius Code Chapter 8.05 adopts state recycling requirements and any Washington County waste reduction program, and the city participates in the Cooperative Recycling Program. Apartment communities are expected to follow county minimums and Metro rules, with recycling bundled through the franchised hauler. Key links: Cornelius – Garbage & Recycling · Cornelius Code – Ch. 8.05 Solid Waste |
| Durham | Yes – explicit multifamily minimums on city site |
Durham’s garbage & recycling page states that if you manage an apartment or multifamily community, your garbage company is required to provide service that meets or exceeds minimum volumes for garbage, recycling, and glass. All containers must use region-aligned labels and, by 2028, color-coded bodies (gray/black for garbage, blue for recycling, orange for glass). Key links: Durham – Garbage & Recycling Information |
| King City | Yes – explicit multifamily requirements on city site |
King City, served by Pride Disposal & Recycling, mirrors Washington County’s multifamily requirements. The city notes that multifamily property managers must ensure their garbage company provides at least the minimum volumes for garbage, recycling, and glass and that containers follow regional labeling and color-coding standards. Key links: King City – Garbage & Recycling · King City – Garbage & Recycling Rates |
| Sherwood | Yes – multifamily served through Pride Disposal & county standards |
Sherwood contracts with Pride Disposal & Recycling and participates in the Cooperative Recycling Program. While the city doesn’t publish a stand-alone multifamily code section, apartment communities are expected to receive recycling service that at least meets the Washington County minimums, and to keep shared areas clean and accessible for residents. Key links: Sherwood – Garbage & Recycling |
| Forest Grove | Yes – design standards plus bundled multifamily service |
Forest Grove’s development standards require new multifamily buildings (3+ units) to plan for solid waste and recycling storage, and the city’s solid waste program bundles garbage and recycling through its hauler. Property managers should ensure shared service meets or exceeds county minimums and that enclosures are sized and labeled correctly. Key links: City of Forest Grove – Official Site |
| Banks | Yes – franchise regulations include multifamily recycling |
Banks’ recycling regulations require franchisees to provide weekly collection of principal recyclable materials, including for multifamily complexes within the service area. Property managers should coordinate with the franchise hauler to ensure residents have practical access to recycling and that service volumes match demand. Key links: Banks – Recycling Service Regulations (Appendix A) · City of Banks – Official Site |
| North Plains | Yes – via franchise & county/Metro standards |
North Plains is served by franchised haulers that follow Washington County’s minimum service standards. Multifamily properties have access to recycling through these haulers and should provide residents with adequate capacity and clear signage, even though the city does not publish a stand-alone multifamily recycling chapter. Key links: City of North Plains – Official Site |
| Gaston | Yes – baseline via county/Metro + hauler service |
Gaston multifamily communities are served by regional haulers that provide garbage and recycling. While there is no separate multifamily ordinance published, state law and county/Metro standards still expect property managers to provide residents with recycling service and to prevent overflow and nuisance conditions. Key links: City of Gaston – Official Site |
| Unincorporated Washington County | Yes – county minimum standards for multifamily |
In urban unincorporated Washington County, county administrative rules require haulers to provide at least 20 gal garbage + 20 gal recycling + 1 gal glass per unit per week at multifamily communities and condos. Residents have the right to adequate, clearly labeled service, and property managers are responsible for providing recycling access and education. Key links: County – Multifamily Recycling Standards · County – Garbage & Recycling at Home |
Beaverton & Washington County Fines & Penalties Snapshot
- Beaverton Civil Infraction Penalties: Under Beaverton’s civil infractions ordinance, violations classified as civil infractions can carry forfeitures of up to $500 per day (Class 1), $250 per day (Class 2), or $100 per day (Class 3). Failure to provide required recycling at a multifamily community is specifically identified as an infraction by the owner/property manager.
- Each Day = Separate Offense: When a property manager fails to provide required recycling, adequate container capacity, or a safe, sanitary collection area, each day that condition persists may be treated as a separate civil infraction, multiplying exposure until the site is brought into compliance.
- Enforcement Path: Beaverton’s City Manager and code enforcement staff can issue infractions, which are heard in municipal court. Judges may enhance penalties for repeat offenders or ongoing non-compliance.
- County & Hauler Enforcement: Washington County enforces minimum service standards and can act against haulers that fail to provide required multifamily recycling service. Property managers who block access, under-size service, or allow chronic overflow can still face complaints, inspections, and enforcement under property maintenance and solid waste rules.
- Risk Management Tip: Build a record: keep hauler contracts, service logs, photos of container areas, contamination notices, and resident education pieces. Documentation helps demonstrate good-faith compliance if a complaint or inspection occurs.
Beaverton & Washington County Multifamily Recycling Compliance Checklist
| Task | Action / Requirement | Helpful Links |
|---|---|---|
| ☑ Confirm Jurisdiction & Unit Count | Identify whether your community is inside Beaverton city limits, another Washington County city, or unincorporated county. For 5+ unit communities with shared service, assume you are expected to provide residents with on-site recycling that meets state, county, and local standards. | Beaverton – Property Managers · County – Multifamily Property Managers |
| ☑ Meet Minimum Per-Unit Volumes | Ensure your shared service provides at least 20 gallons garbage + 20 gallons mixed recycling + 1 gallon glass per unit per week. Many communities need more to avoid overflow; adjust volumes or pickup frequency based on resident behavior and seasonality. | County – Multifamily Standards · Metro – Multifamily Volume Estimation Guide |
| ☑ Align Containers, Labels & Color-Coding | Place recycling containers in locations that are reasonably similar in quantity and convenience to garbage containers. Use region-approved signage and color-coding (gray/black for garbage, blue for recycling, orange for glass where required). Make it easy for residents to know what goes where at a glance. | County – Garbage & Recycling at Home |
| ☑ Provide Resident Education | Give every new resident clear information on how to use the trash & recycling system within 30 days of move-in, and send reminders at least once a year. Reinforce expectations with signs at enclosures, leasing offices, mail areas, and digital channels. | County – Tools for Property Managers |
| ☑ Keep Areas Clean, Safe & Accessible | Inspect enclosures regularly to prevent overflow, illegal dumping, and blocked access. Adjust service, container size, or National Doorstep collection frequency if containers routinely overflow or residents leave bags outside carts or dumpsters. | Beaverton – Code Compliance Program · Washington County – Solid Waste & Recycling |
| ☑ Document Service & Adjust as Needed | Maintain a file with service invoices, route logs, contamination notices, photos, and resident communications. Use this record to adjust service levels proactively and to demonstrate due diligence if a city or county inspector has questions. | Pride Disposal & Recycling (regional hauler) · WM – Washington County |
Want to stay out of the civil-infraction risk zone? Request a Free Compliance Audit for your Beaverton or Washington County property. We’ll review your current setup, right-size containers and service, design a resident-friendly valet trash & recycling program, and prepare the inspector-ready documentation you need to show alignment with Beaverton, Washington County, and Oregon recycling requirements.
Interested in talking about how we can work together? Here's our contact info.
