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:

  • Transfer Stations
  • Drop-Box Locations
  • Landfills
  • Piles Used for Storage and Treatment
  • Surface Impoundments and Tanks
  • Moderate Risk Waste Facilities
  • Composting Facilities

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 will determine if wastes generated from a site or business for final disposal are hazardous, solid waste, regulated, or non-regulated so you can properly dispose in Snohomish County.

Email the Health Department to see if your situation requires a Waste Screening Determination Form to be submitted.

Solid waste permit application information

Food_ApplyOnlineTo submit for a solid waste handling permit, exemption or modification, please click here.

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:

Solid waste facility types

In addition to the above materials, each facility will need to submit one or more of the following applications:

Solid waste permit exemptions

Solid Waste Handling Standards specifies that certain solid waste facilities are exempt from solid waste permitting if they meet certain requirements and operation procedures as identified in Chapter 173-350 WAC. Exempt facilities may include recycling facilities, composting facilities, piles used for storage treatment, moderate risk waste facilities, etc. To operate as an exempt facility, the following must be submitted for review:

SOLID WASTE PERMIT Modifications

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

PERMIT RENEWALS

Solid waste permits are valid July 1 through June 30 each year. Additionally, all permitted facilities must complete the Annual Permit Renewal Application and submit the appropriate permit fee. The complete renewal applications must be emailed to shd-ehq@snoco.org. By April 1st each year, Annual Reports must be sent to both the Department of Ecology and the Snohomish County Health Department. Reports must be emailed to shd-ehq@snoco.org.

All permits issued by the 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 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. Please see the Permits and Fees pages for more information

*In addition to base fees, we charge $235 an hour when base fee time limits are exceeded.