Code Compliance

When a homeowner or occupant receives a NOW, they will be informed:

• When the trash– also called solid waste– must be removed
• What is considered solid waste on your property, and
• Actions the County may take if the solid waste is not removed

“We encourage people to reach out to us before a violation is issued. We are here to help and we can work with them on cleaning up the property,” she said.

When we talk about household garbage, construction debris, abandoned appliances or tires, we often will use the term, “solid waste.”

Having solid waste dumped on your property without your permission is a crime called illegal dumping.

The Solid Waste Abatement Program (SWAP) assists property owners and occupants of properties who are victims of illegal dumping. This program provides financial assistance in the form of a voucher that can be used at the Astoria transfer station to dispose up to one ton of solid waste.

If you are a victim of illegal dumping or have questions about the program, please nmendoza [at] clatsopcounty.gov (email) Nancy Mendoza or call her at 503-325-8611.

Some everyday items we have in our homes are considered household hazardous waste. That means they could be dangerous to human health and the environment. They could catch fire, explode and negatively react with other substances if not properly disposed of.

When we say household hazardous waste, we mean cleaners, paints, batteries, and fertilizers that contain potentially hazardous ingredients that require special care when you dispose of them.

How to Dispose of Household Hazardous Waste

• DO bring your HHW to our free monthly HHW event.
• Do NOT dispose of HHW down the drain, on the ground, into storm drains, or in the trash. Doing so would pollute our environment and pose a threat to human health.

How to Handle Household Hazardous Waste

• Avoid accidents at home by carefully following product label instructions on how to use and store them.
• Read product labels for disposal directions. That will reduce the risk of products exploding, igniting, leaking, or mixing with other chemicals.
• Never store hazardous products in food containers. Keep HHW them in their original containers and never remove labels.

Find Out Which Household Hazardous Waste Items Are in Your Home

Cleaning Products

Pesticides

Automotive Products

Shop/Painting Supplies

Other items

Visit our Household Hazardous Waste webpage to find out more.

If there are two or more non-working vehicles being stored on a property in Unincorporated Clatsop County, the property owner may be in violation of Clatsop County Land and Water Use Development Code (LAWDUC).

That is because an auto wrecking yard is defined as any property where two or more motor vehicles are not in running condition, or the parts are stored in the open and the vehicles are not being restored to operation. It also applies to any land, building or structure used for the wrecking or storing of such motor vehicles or parts.

An auto wrecking yard is a land use that requires a development permit from the Clatsop County Community Development Department. Auto wrecking yards are only allowed in specific zones in Clatsop County. These include: General Commercial, Light Industrial and Rural Community Light Industrial zones.

“Vehicles that are not in running condition are inoperable. They may have broken or missing windows, windshields, wheels or tires, lack an engine or transmission or have an inoperable engine or transmission,” said Gail Henrikson, Community Development Director.

If your property fits the definition of an auto wrecking yard, there are several ways you can avoid receiving a violation:

1. Actively begin restoring your vehicle. Save your receipts, document your progress. The key is to show you are doing it not just saying you’re doing it.
2. Have the vehicle towed to an auto wrecking yard. Depending on circumstances, it may not cost you any money to have it towed.

“We encourage people to reach out to us if they have questions. We are happy to work with residents to resolve any potential code violations,” she said.

Contact codecompliance [at] ClatsopCounty.gov (Clatsop County Code Compliance) for more information at 503-325-8611 or visit ClatsopCounty.gov.