Illegal dumping is the problem nobody wants. Mattresses on side streets, broken furniture in vacant lots, construction debris dumped on rural roadsides. Pierce County has rules; here’s the gist plus what to do if you encounter it.
The Laws
Washington State law (RCW 70A.205.195) prohibits dumping solid waste outside a permitted disposal site. Penalties are tiered by volume — small loads are a civil infraction, larger loads can be a misdemeanor or gross misdemeanor, and dumping hazardous materials can escalate to a felony. Violators also pay restitution for cleanup costs.
The City of Tacoma adopted a tiered littering and illegal-dumping ordinance in 2024 that mirrors the state structure.
Specific materials are regulated separately — hazardous waste, asbestos, medical waste, and electronics all have their own rules.
What to Do If You Find Illegal Dumping
- On your property: You’re typically responsible for cleanup (yes, even if someone else did it). Document, photograph, and remove. Hoss handles haul-away.
- On public land: Report it through the local jurisdiction’s code-enforcement channel. Don’t touch it; it’s evidence.
- Inside a city: Use the city’s non-emergency reporting line or the city’s 311 service.
What to Do If You See Someone Dumping
- Don’t confront. Note vehicle, license plate, time, location. Take a photo from a distance if safe.
- Report it through the appropriate channel:
- Inside Tacoma — the city’s a city 311 service.
- Unincorporated Pierce County or another Pierce city — that jurisdiction’s code-enforcement / illegal-dumping line.
- Hazardous spill or active dumping with immediate safety risk — 911.
How to Avoid Being the Reason for Illegal Dumping
Legitimate haul-away is cheap and easy. Hoss has posted, flat-rate pricing — see the pricing section. Pierce County transfer stations accept walk-ins. There are no good excuses for dumping in 2026.
We Can Help
If you’ve got illegal dumping on your property and need cleanup, we handle it. We’ll document the load (helpful for insurance or reporting) and haul to appropriate disposal.
Call (253) 553-2978.