Is Dumpster Diving Legal in Washington?
Dumpster Diving is legal with restrictions in Washington as of 2026. Washington State does not explicitly prohibit dumpster diving, but entering private property without permission to access dumpsters may be prosecuted under RCW 9A.52.070 (criminal trespass). Items discarded in public dumpsters are generally considered abandoned property.
Dumpster Diving is LEGAL WITH RESTRICTIONS in Washington
Dumpster Diving is legal in Washington but with specific restrictions and regulations.
Dumpster Diving Laws in Washington: Quick Facts
- 1 Legal Status: Dumpster Diving is currently legal with restrictions in Washington.
- 2 Possession: Possession of items from dumpsters on public property is legal; private property dumpsters require permission.
- 3 Sale: No specific laws regulating sale of found items; selling stolen goods is illegal.
- 4 Age Restriction: None
- 5 Penalties: Criminal trespass is a gross misdemeanor with penalties including fines and jail time.
Detailed Legal Breakdown
| Possession | Possession of items from dumpsters on public property is legal; private property dumpsters require permission. |
| Sale | No specific laws regulating sale of found items; selling stolen goods is illegal. |
| Age Restriction | None |
| Penalties | Criminal trespass is a gross misdemeanor with penalties including fines and jail time. |
| Pending Legislation | None known |
How Does Washington Compare?
Across all 50 states, Dumpster Diving is fully legal in 1 states, legal with restrictions in 49 states, and illegal in 0 states. Washington is among the 49 states where it is legal with restrictions.
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Editorial Standards
This page was researched and written by the editorial team at IsThisLegalInMyState.com. All legal information is sourced directly from official state statutes, regulatory agency publications, and legislative databases. Our team reviews each page for accuracy and updates it when laws change.
Source
Citation: Revised Code of Washington - Criminal Trespass
https://app.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=9A.52.070
Last verified: 2026-01-15
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