Rates
The City of Tacoma’s Environmental Services Department manages billing for three utilities: Solid Waste, Stormwater, and Wastewater. Tacoma Public Utilities handles water and electricity. Both departments bill together, and customers receive a single bill covering all utility services.
Solid Waste Rates
What Do Solid Waste Rates Pay For?
- Garbage & Recycling Collection: Pickup from all homes and businesses in Tacoma.
- Yard & Food Waste Collection: Annual recycling of 40,000 tons from homes and businesses.
- Recycling Services: Collection of around 27,900 tons of recyclable material annually.
- Household Hazardous Waste: Safe disposal of around 350 tons of hazardous waste annually.
- Neighborhood Cleanups: Nuisance, code enforcement, and litter cleanup programs.
- Bulk Waste Pickup: Call-2-Haul service for large item disposal.
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Your monthly bill for residential curbside garbage, recycling and food/yard waste service is determined by the size of your green garbage container(s). You can lower your monthly bill by decreasing your garbage capacity. Consider recycling, reusing, donating and composting to help prevent waste.
Residential customers may request two brown food/yard waste bins, and as many blue recycling bins as needed.
Residential customers may also access services including Call-2-Haul, and the Household Hazardous Waste facility and Recycle Center (both located at the Tacoma Recovery and Transfer Center) at no additional cost.
Container Size Quantity Monthly Rate 30-gallon 1 $28.35 45-gallon 1 $42.48 60-gallon 1 $56.63 90-gallon 1 $84.95 60-gallon 2 $113.26 60-gallon and 90-gallon 1 of each $141.58 90-gallon 2 $169.90 Residential customers are able to exchange their container for a different size once a calendar year at no charge. Additional exchanges within the year may be made for $30 each.
Assistance Programs
Residents who qualify as low-income seniors or low-income disabled may be eligible for a rate reduction. If you think you might qualify, call Customer Solutions at (253) 502-8400 to find out how to apply. You’ll find details on this and other bill-paying assistance on the Tacoma Public Utilities website.
Recycle Reset Surcharge
Changes to the City of Tacoma’s residential curbside recycling program, known as Recycle Reset, took effect on January 1, 2020. These changes include a recycling surcharge of $2.32 per month for all residential solid waste customers. These changes are identified on customers’ bills as “Recycle Reset Surcharge.” Customers who participate in the Tacoma Public Utilities and Environmental Services bill payment assistance programs will be waived from this surcharge. For more information visit tacomarecycles.org/changes.
Carry Service
Residents may request carry service for a fee on their premises, if it is established that it is impractical or infeasible to place containers in a location directly accessible to collection vehicles. Carry service must allow available access to containers on the premises and be approved by Solid Waste Management. For more information please call (253) 502-2100.
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Commercial rates are based on the size of garbage container a customer chooses for collection and are based on once/week pickup. Temporary service is available for all container types. The rates in the tables below do not include applicable sales tax for container rentals.
Barrel Containers
Container Size Quantity Rate Container Rent Total Monthly Charge 20-gallon 1 $38.52 $0 $38.52 30-gallon 1 $50.47 $0 $50.47 60-gallon 1 $62.79 $0 $62.79 90-gallon 1 $83.52 $0 $83.52 300-gallon 1 $166.05 $4.41 $170.46 Front-Load Containers
Box Size Quantity Rate Container Rent Total Monthly Charge Two cubic yards 1 $246.75 $9.10 $255.85 Three cubic yards 1 $312.03 $10.38 $322.41 Four cubic yards 1 $378.72 $12.37 $391.09 Six cubic yards 1 $509.87 $16.14 $526.01 Eight cubic yards 1 $643.26 $17.82 $661.08 Drop-Off Box Containers
Drop-off box containers are available for temporary rental. Please call (253) 502-2100, option 1, for more information.
Container Size Quantity Rate Container Rent Total Monthly Charge 15 cubic yards 1 $674.06 $44.65 $718.71 20 cubic yards 1 $770.60 $48.73 $819.33 25 cubic yards 1 $878.91 $49.64 $928.55 30 cubic yards 1 $996.33 $52.86 $1,049.19 40 cubic yards 1 $1,222.33 $59.86 $1,282.19 -
Rates effective January 1, 2025.
Material to be Recycled Container Size Haul Frequency Monthly Rate Yard Waste 90-gallon Weekly $21.42 Yard Waste 90-gallon Every-Other Week $10.72 Food Waste 60-gallon Weekly $21.42 Food Waste 60-gallon 2 hauls/week $42.83 -
Temporary drop off rentals are available for customers to rent for large projects that require temporary solid waste services. View the 2025 Contract for Temporary Solid Waste Services which includes more information.
For additional questions on temporary and rental containers please call (253) 502-2100 or email solidwaste@tacoma.gov.
Rates effective January 1, 2025:
Container (Click for photos) Placement Fee Daily Rent Charge Per Haul Min. Advanced Payment Dimensions 15-YD DOB $50.00 $1.50 $672.06 $724.06 Width: 8 ft.
Length: 16 ft. 6 in.
Height: 4 ft. 8 in.20-YD DOB $50.00 $1.50 $770.60 $820.60 Width: 8 ft.
Length: 16 ft. 6 in.
Height: 6 ft. 4 in.25-YD DOB $50.00 $1.50 $878.91 $928.91 Width: 8 ft.
Length: 18 ft. 9 in.
Height: 6 ft. 4 in.30-YD DOB $50.00 $1.50 $996.33 $1,046.33 Width: 8 ft.
Length: 18 ft.
Height: 7 ft. 6 in.40-YD DOB $50.00 $1.50 $1,222.33 $1,272.33 Width: 8 ft.
Length: 20 ft.
Height: 8 ft. 6 in.4-YD Fork Box $15.00 $1.00 $87.40 $102.40 Width: 72 in.
Depth: 52 in.
Height: 46 in.
(Addition of caster wheels adds 7-8 in.)6-YD Fork Box $15.00 $1.00 $117.66 $132.66 Width: 72 in.
Depth: 66 in.
Height: 73 in.18-YD Fork Box $15.00 $1.00 $148.44 $163.44 Width: 72 in.
Depth: 71 in.
Height: 80 in.300-Gallon Barrel $15.00 $1.00 $38.35 $53.35 Width: 56 in.
Depth: 54 in.
Height: 54 in.**Bulk Recycling DOB $50.00 $1.50 $50.00 plus $5.50 per mile one-way For more detailed dimensions and information, call (253) 502-2100 or email solidwaste@tacoma.gov.
**BULK RECYCLING: It is the customer’s responsibility to setup their own account with the recycling company where SWM will be transporting their material, i.e., roofing, concrete, demolition or yard waste. If a container is rented for dumping at a recycling facility and the load is contaminated, the container will be returned to the RTC for dumping and the customer will be charged the applicable RTC rate as noted in the commercial rate table in Section 12.09.120, of the TMC.
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Mixed – Paper, Plastic, Aluminum, Tin, Cardboard
Haul Frequency Container Sizes Rate Bi-weekly hauls 30, 60 or 90-gallon $8.80 Weekly 30, 60 or 90-gallon $17.50 Two per week 30, 60 or 90-gallon $34.96 Three per week 30, 60 or 90-gallon $52.34 Four per week 30, 60 or 90-gallon $69.76 Five per week 30, 60 or 90-gallon $87.13 Bi-weekly hauls 2 cubic yard box $43.12 Weekly 2 cubic yard box $71.79 Two per week 2 cubic yard box $143.52 Glass – Clear, Brown, Green (Must Be Separated)
Haul Frequency Container Size Containers Per Service Rate Bi-weekly hauls 60-gallon 3 $33.47 Weekly 60-gallon 3 $60.23 Two per week 60-gallon 3 $120.44 Three per week 60-gallon 3 $180.63 Four per week 60-gallon 3 Not available Five per week 60-gallon 3 Not available Cardboard – Corrugated
Haul Frequency Container Sizes Rate Bi-weekly hauls Two, four, six, or eight cubic yard box $25.27 Weekly Two, four, six, or eight cubic yard box $50.52 Two per week Two, four, six, or eight cubic yard box $101.02 Three per week Two, four, six, or eight cubic yard box $151.53 Four per week Two, four, six, or eight cubic yard box $201.01 Five per week Two, four, six, or eight cubic yard box Not available -
Tacoma Recovery & Transfer Center (formerly the Tacoma landfill) disposal fees vary, depending on the weight of your load and whether you are a City of Tacoma residential solid waste customer, business customer or non-City of Tacoma customer. To qualify for the City of Tacoma residential landfill disposal fee, you must meet the residency requirements and bring proof of your residency when you visit the Tacoma Landfill.
All fees are per load. Fractions of 100 pounds are billed to the next 100-pound increment. Call the Tacoma Recovery & Transfer Center at (253) 502-2100 for more information about the Tacoma Recovery & Transfer Center fees. Accepted payments include cash, credit card, or check.
Garbage Disposal
Resident Status Rate per 100 Pounds Minimum Charge Additional Information City of Tacoma Residential Rate $7.25 $20.00 The $20.00 minimum charge covers the first 400 pounds. Non-City of Tacoma Residential Rate $8.50 $40.00 The $40.00 minimum charge covers the first 400 pounds. City of Tacoma Commercial Rate $8.50 $40.00 $8.50 per 100 pounds with a minimum charge of $40.00. Yard Waste
Resident Status Rate per 100 Pounds Minimum Charge City of Tacoma resident $0 $0 Non-City of Tacoma Resident $8.50 $40.00 Commercial $8.50 $40.00 Additional Fees
Items for Disposal Within City of Tacoma Outside City of Tacoma Asbestos - accepted by appointment from City of Tacoma residents only, call 311 for information $20.00 minimum, plus $150.00 per ton Not Accepted Appliances with compressors $20.00 each, plus tonnage $40.00 each plus tonnage Car seats $3.25 each plus tonnage $6.75 each plus tonnage Furniture - large $11.00 for the first four pieces, plus $11.00 for each additional item, plus tonnage $40.00 for the first four pieces, plus $11.00 for each additional, plus tonnage Tires - Passenger and light truck $3.25 each, plus tonnage $6.75 each plus tonnage Tires - on rims (no large tires) $6.75 each, plus tonnage $13.00 each plus tonnage Tires - larger than 10x20 $16.50 each, plus tonnage $33.00 each plus tonnage All fees are based on one half-hour unloading time. When unloading time exceeds one half-hour, an additional fee of $12.25 for each half-hour increment will be charged. Unloading times are determined by an automated scale system. Any vehicle still being unloaded past closing time may be assessed an additional fee. Any customer that has insufficient funds to pay the disposal fee at the time of unloading may be charged an additional insufficient funds fee of $10.
View complete instructions for proper disposal of asbestos.
Special Handling Fees
Customers with waste material requiring special handling will pay additional fees based on the resources required for proper disposal, unless otherwise specified. There is a special handling fee of $100 per load plus tonnage charges, unless otherwise specified.
Stormwater Rates
What Do Stormwater Rates Pay For?
- Pollution Prevention: Protects Commencement Bay, Puget Sound, and tributaries from polluted stormwater runoff.
- Flood Protection: Maintains over 500 miles of pipes, 22,000+ catch basins, pump stations, and detention ponds.
- Innovative Treatment: Maintaining our advanced stormwater treatment systems.
- Inspections & Monitoring: Ensures stormwater systems are functioning safely and effectively.
- Habitat Restoration: Restoration projects in wetlands, tidelands, and uplands.
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Tacoma’s stormwater rates are based on the actual cost to build, maintain and operate the stormwater Management System, including storm drains and pipes, flood control projects, water quality testing and improvements, billing systems and other projects required to meet state regulations. This adds up to about $40 million per year.
The proportion you pay depends on which of the five development categories your property falls into:
- Undeveloped (undeveloped land that soaks up much of the rainfall)
- Light development (land with very limited impervious surface)
- Moderate development (single-family homes with yards to soak up some of the runoff)
- Heavy development (most commercial property with parking and some vegetation)
- Very heavy development (industrial with mostly impervious surface and lots of runoff)
The more stormwater that drains off your property, as determined by your development category, the higher your rate will be. Your bill also takes into account the size of your property. The bigger your property, the higher your bill will be. In addition, property that abuts Puget Sound is charged at a lower rate.
Stormwater Rates Effective January 1, 2025
- A fixed charge of $12.34, plus:
- An area charge per 500 square feet, depending on development type and whether your property is on the waterfront.
Rates for development categories (standard parcels) are:
Category Monthly Rate per 500 Square Feet Undeveloped area – one acre or less $0.34 Undeveloped area in excess of one acre $0.08 Light development $1.11 Moderate development $1.53 Heavy development $2.24 Very heavy development $3.05 Single-family residences fall in the moderate development category. The monthly stormwater bill for a typical single-family lot (7,000 square feet) is $33.72 per month in 2025.
Waterfront and Direct Discharge Parcels
Waterfront/direct discharge parcels are those abutting Puget Sound with at least 50 feet of frontage or discharging all or most of their stormwater directly into the Puget Sound. These properties have different rates. Call Billing and Technical Services at (253) 502-2100 for information.
Ways to Lower Your Stormwater Bill
A property that uses and maintains low-impact development that conforms to the standards in the City’s Stormwater Management Manual, and are permitted and approved by the City, can qualify for a one-category rate reduction. For more information about this program call Site Development at (253) 591-5760.
Assistance Programs
Residents who qualify as low-income seniors or low-income disabled may be eligible for a rate reduction. If you think you might qualify, call Customer Solutions (253) 502-8400 to find out how to apply. Help for other customers is also available from the utilities and local organizations. You’ll find details on bill-paying assistance on the Tacoma Public Utilities website.
Claims
If you believe your property has been damaged by a City sewer or storm drain backup, call our 24-hour spills hotline right away at (253) 502-2222. The law allows you three years to file a claim for damages, but we can’t pay unless we can investigate and document the damage, so it’s better to call sooner rather than later. City staff will come out to inspect the property, document any damage and let you know if the damage is eligible for a claim. City staff will then walk you through the claim filing process.
For all other claims involving injuries or vehicle or property damage, visit the Tacoma FIRST 311 web page or call 311 within Tacoma city limits or (253) 591-5000 outside city limits
Wastewater Rates
What Do Wastewater Rates Pay For?
- Sewage Treatment: Prevents untreated sewage from contaminating Commencement Bay and streams.
- Water Reclamation: Reclaims billions of gallons of water annually.
- Energy Generation: Produces biogas for renewable energy use.
- TAGRO Production: Creates around 32,000 cubic yards of premium gardening products each year.
- System Maintenance: Operation and upkeep of wastewater collection, transmission, and treatment systems.
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Homeowner wastewater rates are based on the amount of fresh water a household uses during the most recent four-month winter billing cycle, typically December through March, when water usage should be at its lowest. This eliminates any extra water used in summer gardening and yard maintenance, which doesn’t end up in the wastewater treatment system.
New customers are charged based on average residential use. A typical single family home in Tacoma uses 600 cubic feet, or 6 ccf, of water each month during the winter months. Once a customer establishes a winter water usage history, their monthly rates will be adjusted accordingly.
Monthly Rates for Residential Customers in 2025
Monthly rates for a single-family residence, effective January 1, 2025, are:
- A fixed charge of $35.75, plus:
- A flow charge of $6.27 per hundred cubic feet of water used
A single family home that uses 6 ccf of water in the winter pays $73.37 per month for wastewater fees in 2025.
Ways to Reduce Your Wastewater Bill
- Use less water during the winter months
- Watch for leaks and other changes in winter water use that could result in higher consumption
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Different types of businesses send different amounts and concentrations of wastewater through the system. That’s why a restaurant will pay a different wastewater rate than a hospital.
Monthly wastewater rates in 2025 for commercial and industrial customers include:
- A fixed charge of $18.71, plus
- A flow charge per hundred cubic feet (ccf) of water used. The flow charge for unmonitored customers ranges from $8.73 per ccf to $19.87 per ccf.
- Most businesses, which typically send most of the water they use through the wastewater system, have rates based on monthly water use measured through their water meters. About two dozen businesses have their rates calculated through sampling and metering of each business. A monthly minimum charge $32.50 applies to all commercial wastewater customers per Tacoma Municipal Code 12.08.460.
For monitored customers, the flow charge is based on individual sampling results.
For unmonitored customers, the flow charge is set based on the specified strength for the user group you are in.
Ways to Lower Your Wastewater Bill
Some businesses (such as restaurants and taverns that prepare food) have the option of installing grease interceptors for a lower rate. Other businesses wanting to reduce wastewater costs should focus on conserving the amount of fresh water used. For information about commercial or industrial wastewater rates, please call Billing and Technical Services at (253) 502-2100.
Need Help Paying Your Utility Bill?
Tacoma’s five utilities – Solid Waste, Stormwater, Wastewater, Tacoma Power and Tacoma Water – have a number of services to help customers who qualify for help paying their bills. See payment assistance for more information or call (253) 502-8369.
Utility Scams
Protect yourself from scammers by knowing the common tactics and what to do if you receive a suspicious call or email about your bill.
- Phone Scams: Scammers can make it look like they’re calling from TPU’s Customer Service at (253) 502-8600. If someone claims to be from TPU and demands payment, hang up immediately.
- Email Scams: Scammers may send fake utility bills by email. If a bill looks unusual or asks for personal information like your Social Security or credit card number, delete it and don’t click any links.
Remember, Tacoma Public Utilities and Environmental Services will NEVER:
- Demand immediate payment by phone, email, or in person.
- Request financial information or payment on a prepaid card.
- Shut off service without giving at least seven days’ written notice.
How Are Rates Set?
Tacoma works closely with residents to ensure fair and cost-effective rates for Environmental Services utilities.
The Environmental Services Commission (ESC) represents the community by learning about programs, analyzing the budget, and making recommendations on wastewater, stormwater, and solid waste rates. The ESC consists of 15 members, appointed by the city manager, from various parts of the community.
Tacoma Public Utilities Bill
Tacoma Public Utilities (TPU) manages electricity and drinking water services. Click the buttons below for power and water rate details:
For TPU billing inquiries, call (253) 502-8600.