Tacoma and Pierce County apartment owners, asset managers, and on-site property managers: avoid costly health-code and solid-waste violations while giving residents the modern valet trash & recycling amenity they expect. National Doorstep’s valet trash & recycling program is engineered to align with the City of Tacoma’s solid waste utility requirements, the Pierce County minimum service levels, and Tacoma–Pierce County Health Department (TPCHD) solid waste handling standards, helping you stay out of the up-to-$2,000 per-day penalty zone while boosting NOI.
Who this is for: multifamily owners, asset managers, regional operations leaders, and on-site property managers responsible for waste and recycling compliance at Tacoma and Pierce County–area apartment communities.
Within the City of Tacoma, residents are required to use the City’s solid waste services, and the City provides curbside garbage, recycling, and food/yard waste collection for multifamily customers. Multifamily developments are reviewed by Solid Waste Management during site planning and must have approved service locations and container layouts to receive a certificate of occupancy (see Tacoma’s Garbage & Recycling and Solid Waste Management Guidelines). Under recent City ordinances, no dwelling unit in a multifamily building (triplex or larger) may receive individual residential solid waste service unless that unit is directly billed for all city utilities, which effectively pushes multifamily communities into shared, centrally managed garbage and recycling service through the City utility.
Across Pierce County, WA, Chapter 8.29 of the Pierce County Code establishes minimum levels of service for residential recycling and yard waste. While the multi-family service section is marked “[Reserved]” in the current code text, county ordinances and hauler tariffs still require minimum service levels, and county planning documents reference minimum service levels for multi-family recycling (Ord. 2004-64). All of this sits on top of TPCHD Environmental Health Code authority to issue administrative civil penalties of up to $2,000 per day per violation for solid-waste handling violations.
- Protect NOI & Asset Value: Reduce risk of civil penalties up to $2,000 per violation, per day under TPCHD’s solid waste handling standards by aligning your on-site program with Tacoma and Pierce County expectations.
- Resident-First Convenience: Doorstep collection that keeps residents out of dark, remote enclosures, reduces trips to dumpsters, and supports renewals and online reputation.
- Code-Smart Design: Container layouts, enclosures, and service frequencies designed around City of Tacoma site-plan requirements, Pierce County minimum service levels, and health department expectations.
- Hands-Off Compliance: We handle hauler coordination, resident education, and documentation so your property management team can focus on leasing and operations.
At a Glance: City of Tacoma vs. Pierce County & Other Cities
City of Tacoma (Inside City Limits)
- Mandate Type: Mandatory solid waste service with a de facto multifamily recycling requirement.
- Applicability Threshold: Applies to all serviced multifamily properties. Tacoma requires residents to use City solid waste services, and recent ordinances specify that no unit in a multifamily dwelling (triplex or larger) may receive individual residential solid waste service unless that unit is directly billed for all City utilities.
- Owner / Property Manager Duties: Ensure your community uses City of Tacoma Solid Waste services for garbage and recycling; provide centralized containers sized and located according to Solid Waste Management approvals; keep enclosures clean, accessible, and safe for residents.
- Program Duties: Coordinate service levels, container sizes, and locations as part of your site plan; incorporate resident-facing education using Tacoma’s multifamily recycling resources and toolkit so residents know what and where to recycle.
- Key City Links: Garbage & Recycling – City of Tacoma · Recycling in Tacoma (Multifamily & Guides) · Tacoma Multifamily Recycling Toolkit · Tacoma Ordinance – Multifamily Solid Waste Service
Pierce County & Other Cities
- Mandate Type: County-wide minimum service levels for residential recycling; multifamily recycling implemented through hauler contracts and interlocal agreements.
- Applicability Threshold: Applies to residential and multifamily customers served under Pierce County Code Chapter 8.29 and related ordinances. Many cities (e.g., University Place, Bonney Lake, Lakewood, Puyallup) participate via interlocal agreements and franchise contracts.
- Program Duties: Maintain adequate garbage and recycling service; keep enclosures free of overflow and illegal dumping; follow hauler and county guidelines for container placement, signage, and contamination prevention.
- Risk Profile: Even where there is no standalone “apartment recycling” mandate in city code, properties can still be cited for unsanitary conditions, improper solid waste handling, and failure to meet minimum service levels, which can trigger TPCHD enforcement.
- Key County Links: Pierce County Code – Ch. 8.29 Residential Recycling · Pierce County Solid Waste & Garbage · Tacoma–Pierce County Health Department · Pierce County – Cities & Towns
Pierce County Cities, Towns & Apartment Recycling Mandates
Across Pierce County, multifamily recycling is treated as part of the broader solid-waste system: the City of Tacoma operates its own utility with a strong multifamily recycling program; other cities and towns rely on Pierce County minimum service levels, interlocal agreements, and franchise haulers. Many jurisdictions do not have a standalone “apartment recycling” ordinance, but they still expect clean, well-managed enclosures and access to recycling for residents.
| City / Area | Apartment Recycling Mandate? | Notes for Owners & Property Managers |
|---|---|---|
| Tacoma (City) | Yes – De facto multifamily recycling requirement |
Residents are required to use City of Tacoma Solid Waste services, which include garbage and recycling for multifamily customers. Recent ordinances restrict individual residential solid waste service for units in multifamily dwellings (triplex or larger), effectively requiring shared, centrally managed service. Multifamily developments must have approved container locations and service levels as part of the site plan before a certificate of occupancy is issued. Key local links: City of Tacoma – Solid Waste · Recycling in Tacoma (Multifamily) |
| Unincorporated Pierce County | Yes – County minimum service levels for recycling |
Governed by Pierce County Code Chapter 8.29 and Ordinance 2004-64 establishing minimum service levels for residential recycling. While the multi-family section is presently labeled “[Reserved]” in the online code, county planning documents reference minimum service levels for multi-family recycling. Multifamily properties are expected to maintain adequate garbage and recycling service and avoid unsanitary conditions. Key local links: Pierce County Code – Ch. 8.29 · Pierce County Solid Waste |
| University Place | De facto mandatory multifamily recycling |
City ordinances and service contracts define multi-family recycling centers and embed recycling into the required level of service. If a multifamily property uses city/franchise garbage service, recycling is expected as part of that service. Unsanitary or overflowing enclosures can trigger TPCHD enforcement. Key local links: City of University Place |
| Puyallup | De facto mandatory multifamily recycling |
Franchise haulers must provide recycling for multifamily residences, and development standards require screened enclosures for both trash and recycling. Multifamily properties are treated as commercial/multifamily solid-waste customers with an expectation of on-site recycling access. Key local links: City of Puyallup |
| Lakewood | Mandatory garbage + embedded recycling expectations |
Lakewood’s development code requires trash and recycling receptacles within screened enclosures for multifamily projects. Recycling is implemented through city and county programs and hauler contracts; properties are expected to provide residents with convenient access to both trash and recycling. Key local links: City of Lakewood |
| Bonney Lake | Mandatory collection + multifamily recycling via ILA |
Solid-waste collection is compulsory, and the city participates in Pierce County’s system via interlocal agreements that include multifamily recycling. Multifamily properties should assume that recycling service is part of expected solid-waste management for residents. Key local links: City of Bonney Lake |
| Gig Harbor | Multifamily recycling via county-coordinated programs |
Participates in the Pierce County solid-waste system through ILAs and franchise haulers. Multifamily properties are expected to have garbage and recycling containers sized and serviced appropriately to prevent overflow and nuisance conditions. Key local links: City of Gig Harbor |
| Fife | Mandatory collection + standard multifamily recycling |
Multifamily properties are treated as commercial/multifamily customers; recycling is typically bundled with garbage service under city/franchise agreements. Failure to manage enclosures cleanly can lead to enforcement. Key local links: City of Fife |
| Edgewood | Multifamily recycling via hauler contracts |
Apartments are expected to maintain adequate garbage and recycling service via contracted haulers. Development standards generally assume storage for both waste and recycling in enclosures. Key local links: City of Edgewood |
| DuPont | Multifamily recycling via city/county system |
Participates in Pierce County’s regional solid-waste system; multifamily recycling is provided through hauler contracts. Owners should treat on-site recycling for residents as a standard expectation rather than an optional amenity. Key local links: City of DuPont |
| Sumner | Multifamily recycling via franchise hauler |
Solid-waste collection is regulated by the city, with multifamily properties using franchise haulers. Recycling access for residents is part of the expected level of service and helps avoid enforcement related to overflow and nuisance. Key local links: City of Sumner |
| Ruston | Multifamily recycling via county/hauler system |
Small city adjacent to Tacoma using regional solid-waste infrastructure. Multifamily owners should coordinate garbage and recycling service through the city’s contracted haulers to ensure residents have access to both. Key local links: City of Ruston |
| Fircrest | Multifamily recycling expected via county system |
Participates in Pierce County solid-waste planning; multifamily properties are expected to provide recycling alongside trash. Clean, well-managed enclosures are especially important in this compact community. Key local links: City of Fircrest |
| Buckley (Pierce County portion) | Multifamily recycling via local/county system |
Buckley spans Pierce and King Counties. Multifamily communities typically coordinate garbage and recycling via city or county-approved haulers; on-site recycling is strongly encouraged for residents. Key local links: City of Buckley |
| Auburn, Enumclaw, Milton, Pacific (Pierce County portions) | No standalone Pierce-only apartment recycling mandate |
These cities span multiple counties. Multifamily properties in the Pierce County portions are served through a mix of city codes, county plans, and hauler contracts. Recycling is typically available and expected but not governed by a Pierce-County-specific apartment ordinance. Key local links: City of Auburn · City of Enumclaw · City of Milton · City of Pacific |
| Roy | Multifamily recycling via hauler/county standards |
Small city using regional solid-waste providers; multifamily properties should include recycling whenever garbage service is provided to residents. Key local link: City of Roy |
| Orting | Multifamily recycling via city/hauler agreements |
Orting regulates solid waste locally and relies on franchise haulers. Multifamily recycling is not a separate ordinance but is expected as part of modern property operations. Key local link: City of Orting |
| Carbonado, Eatonville, South Prairie, Steilacoom, Wilkeson (Towns) | Multifamily recycling via town/hauler and county system |
These towns regulate solid waste through town codes and partner with haulers and Pierce County. Multifamily properties are fewer but should provide on-site recycling where garbage service is offered, to avoid nuisance and health-code issues. Key local links: Town of Eatonville · Town of Steilacoom |
Tacoma–Pierce County Fines & Penalties Snapshot
- Health-Department Civil Penalties: Under the Tacoma–Pierce County Health Department Environmental Health Code, the Health Officer may impose administrative civil penalties of up to $2,000 per day per violation for solid-waste handling violations, including failure to correct unsanitary or noncompliant conditions after notice.
- Each Day = Separate Offense: If a multifamily site continues to operate with overflowing containers, inadequate service, or unsafe, noncompliant enclosures, each day the violation persists may be treated as a separate offense for penalty purposes.
- City & County Code Enforcement: In addition to TPCHD, city and county code enforcement staff may issue citations for nuisance, property maintenance, and solid-waste violations if enclosures are not maintained, illegal dumping is present, or residents lack safe, lawful disposal options.
- Documentation Matters: Both owners and contracted haulers may be scrutinized. Keeping clear records of service levels, contamination notices, resident education efforts, and photos of enclosures helps demonstrate good-faith compliance.
- Risk Management Tip: Treat recycling access and clean enclosures as a health and safety requirement rather than an optional amenity. This keeps your community out of the civil-penalty zone and supports resident satisfaction.
Tacoma & Pierce County Multifamily Recycling Compliance Checklist
| Task | Action / Requirement | Helpful Links |
|---|---|---|
| ☑ Confirm Jurisdiction & Utility Provider | Determine whether your property is inside the City of Tacoma, in another Pierce County city, or in unincorporated Pierce County. Confirm who provides garbage and recycling service (City of Tacoma, a city franchise hauler, or a county-approved hauler). Your obligations follow the city or county code + TPCHD rules. | Pierce County – Cities & Towns · PCC 8.29 – Residential Recycling |
| ☑ Align with Tacoma Solid Waste Rules (if in Tacoma) | If your community is in Tacoma, ensure all units are using City of Tacoma Solid Waste services (not off-contract providers) and that multifamily garbage and recycling containers are sized and located per Solid Waste Management approvals. New projects must have waste and recycling service approved before the certificate of occupancy is issued. | City of Tacoma – Solid Waste · Solid Waste Management Guidelines |
| ☑ Provide On-Site Recycling Wherever Trash Is Provided | For any multifamily property in Tacoma or Pierce County, treat recycling as required wherever you offer trash. Ensure residents have on-site recycling containers that are reasonably convenient relative to trash containers and sized to handle typical resident volumes. | Recycling in Tacoma · Pierce County Solid Waste |
| ☑ Design Safe, Clean Enclosures | Work with your hauler and local planning department to ensure trash and recycling enclosures meet design standards: adequate space, screening, lids/doors that close, safe resident access, and truck access for collection. Keep these areas free of bulk overflow and illegal dumping to avoid nuisance and health-code violations. | Tacoma Solid Waste Design Guidance · Tacoma–Pierce County Health Department |
| ☑ Educate Residents & Staff | Use city and county toolkits to provide clear instructions to residents on what can be recycled, where containers are located, and how valet trash collection works (if offered). Train maintenance and leasing staff so they can answer resident questions and spot contamination or overflow issues early. | Tacoma Multifamily Recycling Toolkit · Multifamily Recycling Guide & Toolkit |
| ☑ Document Service, Inspections & Issues | Maintain a compliance file for each community: hauler contracts, service schedules, photos of enclosures, contamination notices, resident communications, and inspection notes. This helps you respond quickly to complaints and show TPCHD or city inspectors that you are managing solid waste and recycling responsibly. | Pierce County Solid Waste Contacts · Tacoma Solid Waste Contacts |
Want to stay out of the up-to-$2,000/day risk zone? Request a Free Compliance Audit for your Tacoma or Pierce County property. We’ll review your current enclosures and hauler 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 Tacoma, Pierce County, and TPCHD requirements.
Interested in talking about how we can work together? Here's our contact info.
