Snohomish County council approves new solid waste fee schedule, including tipping-fee increases

Snohomish County Council on June 4 approved Ordinance 25-027 and Motion 25-207 to revise the Solid Waste Division fee schedule, a package that creates a separate waste-export fee schedule, updates tipping fees and sets a 3% annual increase beginning Jan. 1, 2027. The votes were unanimous, 5-0.

The proposed ordinance "would amend Snohomish County Code to increase' excuse me, to include a separate waste export service fee schedule for specific services," Council staff member Deb Everson Bell told the council during a staff report. Bell said the fee schedule would take effect Jan. 1, 2026, with the 3% annual increase starting Jan. 1, 2027, and that secured-load enforcement fees are not included in the 3% annual adjustment.

The change aligns with the county's cost-recovery standard under Snohomish County Code 7.41.020. Several private haulers and advisory-committee representatives told the council they support predictable, multi-year rate paths to maintain service levels as county tonnage grows.

"In 2024, Snohomish County processed 750,000 tons of solid waste," said Vargas, municipal manager for Republic Services, who urged the council to "align your tipping fees with the rest of the state to cover the cost of your operations and disposal." Vargas said…