Junk Storage & Illegal Dumping Rules

What Is It?

A brown woman thinking about junk that needs to be thrown away. You are not allowed to store junk outdoors on your property or adjacent right-of-way, such as an alley or planting strip. Junk can be used materials, scrap metal or car parts, construction debris, furniture, trash, or inoperable vehicles. We regulate junk storage on private property.

What It Isn’t

This ordinance does not cover:

Dumping on public property such as at the curb or in an alley; contact Illegal Dumping at Seattle Public Utilities, use the Illegal Dumping Report Form, use the Find It Fix It app, or call (206) 684-7587
Junk or abandoned vehicles on public property; contact Seattle Police Department Parking Enforcement at (206) 386-9012 or report it using the Find It Fix It app
Discarded needles, syringes, and other sharp objects on public or private property in the Seattle city limits; visit the Customer Service Bureau website or report the problem using the Find It Fix It app

Rules to Follow

Our ordinance requires that you:

Keep yards, grounds, and right-of-way areas, such as planting strips, clear of junk
Keep items in active use (yard furniture, firewood, and materials for active construction projects) neatly stacked or stored when not in use
Store non-working vehicles in a garage or off site

Read the Code

"Junk storage" definition, SMC 23.84A.020 "J"
Private Property and Public Right of Way

Director's Rule 6-90, Junk Storage Prohibited as an Accessory Use to Residential Uses

Fines

The first-time penalty for violating this ordinance is $150. The penalty for additional violations is $500. Fines are higher in certain zones. Inspection charges may also apply.