After 6 years of collaboration with city departments and the development and design community, SMC 23.54.040 will be updated effective October 5, 2025. The Solid Waste storage, access, and collection code now reflects long-time guidance and best practices for safe and efficient solid waste collection. It is effective across all zones and reflects the needs of housing density plans.
Changes include:
23.54.040.G: Access to solid waste containers for solid waste service providers and solid waste collection vehicles – new size requirements for gates, openings, and overhead clearance for certain containers. Also includes slope requirements.
23.54.040.A.1.a: Section applies to principal structures and DADUs
23.54.040.A.1.b: Section applies to non-residential additions over 5000 sq ft
23.54.040.A.1.c: Section applies to non-residential change of use over 10,000 sq ft
23.54.040.A.1.d: Section applies to the addition of 2 or more live-work units
23.54.040.A.1.f: Section applies to addition of 4 or more sleeping rooms
23.54.040.A.2: Each single dwelling unit must provide storage space of 2.5’ x 6’ (instead of previous 2’ x 6’), unless part of HOA or complies with 23.54.040.E.1
Table C for 23.54.040: A new table for “minimum solid waste storage dimensional requirements for residential development” that is increased from previous code: 8’ x 8’ for 1-15 units, 14’ x14” for more than 15
Table D for 23.54.040: A new table for “minimum solid waste storage dimensional requirements for non-residential development”: 8’ x 8’ for 1 – 15,000 sq ft, 14’ x 14’ for more than 15,000 sq ft
Table E for 23.54.040: A new table for “minimum solid waste storage dimensional requirements for development with a mix of residential and non-residential uses”
23.54.040.E.1: Unit lots may share solid waste storage space with parent lot
23.54.040.F: New solid waste staging areas and solid waste collection location requirements
The legislation can be found in the city’s legislative information center.
In addition, SPU Solid Waste will provide an ad hoc review for projects with 4 or more units.