# WAC 173-304-130: WAC 173-304-130. Locational standards for disposal sites

> Washington · Regulations · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_ADC_173_304_130

## Section

- **Citation:** WAC 173-304-130
- **Heading:** WAC 173-304-130. Locational standards for disposal sites
- **Jurisdiction:** Washington
- **Kind:** Regulations
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** Washington Administrative Code / Title 173 / Chapter 173-304 / Section 173-304-130

## Text

(1) Applicability. These standards apply to all new and expanded disposal sites including landfills, landspreading disposal sites, and piles and surface impoundments that are to be closed as landfills. These standards do not apply to:
(a) Existing facilities or facilities that have engaged in closure and closed before the effective date of this regulation;
(b) Interim solid waste handling sites;
(c) Energy recovery and incineration sites;
(d) Piles and surface impoundments used for storage, unless otherwise referred to in WAC 173-304-400 , Solid waste handling facility standards;
(e) Utilization of sludge and other waste on land;
(f) Inert wastes and demolition wastes as defined in WAC 173-304-100 unless otherwise referred to in WAC 173-304-400 , Solid waste handling facility standards; and
(g) Problem wastes, as defined in WAC 173-304-100 .
(2) Locational standards. All applicable solid waste facilities shall be subject to the following locational standards:
(a) Geology. No facility shall be located over a holocene fault, in subsidence areas, or on or adjacent to geologic features which could compromise the structural integrity of the facility.
(b) Groundwater.
(i) No facility shall be located at a site where the bottom of the lowest liner is any less than ten feet above the seasonal high level of groundwater in the uppermost aquifer, or five feet when a hydraulic gradient control system or the equivalent has been installed to control groundwater fluctuations;
(ii) No landfill shall be located over a sole source aquifer; and
(iii) No facility's active area shall be located closer than one thousand feet to a down-gradient drinking water supply well, in use and existing at the time of the county's adoption of the comprehensive solid waste management plan unless the owner or operator can show that the active area is no less than ninety days travel time hydraulically to the nearest down-gradient drinking water supply well in the uppermost useable aquifer.
all be located closer than one thousand feet to a down-gradient drinking water supply well, in use and existing at the time of the county's adoption of the comprehensive solid waste management plan unless the owner or operator can show that the active area is no less than ninety days travel time hydraulically to the nearest down-gradient drinking water supply well in the uppermost useable aquifer.
(c) Natural soils. See WAC 173-304-400 , such as WAC 173-304-460 (3)(c)(i), landfill liners;
(d) Flooding. See WAC 173-304-400 such as WAC 173-304-460 (3)(d), landfill, floodplains;
(e) Surface water. No facility's active area shall be located within two hundred feet measured horizontally, of a stream, lake, pond, river, or salt water body, nor in any wetland nor any public land that is being used by a public water system for watershed control for municipal drinking water purposes in accordance with WAC 248-54-660 (4);
(f) Slope. No facility's active area shall be located on any hill whose slope is unstable;
(g) Cover material. See WAC 173-304-400 , such as WAC 173-304-460 (3)(e), landfills, closure;
(h) Capacity. See WAC 173-304-400 , such as WAC 173-304-460 , Landfilling standards, (for standards that vary according to capacity);
(i) Climatic factors. See WAC 173-304-400 such as WAC 173-304-460 (3) landfill standards, (for standards applicable to arid climates);
(j) Land use. No facility shall be located:
(i) Within ten thousand feet of any airport runway currently used by turbojet aircraft or five thousand feet of any airport runway currently used by only piston-type aircraft unless a waiver is granted by the federal aviation administration. This requirement is only applicable where such facility is used for disposing of garbage such that a bird hazard to aircraft would be created;
(ii) In areas designated by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service or the department of game as critical habitat for endangered or threatened species of plants, fish, or wildlife;
craft unless a waiver is granted by the federal aviation administration. This requirement is only applicable where such facility is used for disposing of garbage such that a bird hazard to aircraft would be created;
(ii) In areas designated by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service or the department of game as critical habitat for endangered or threatened species of plants, fish, or wildlife;
(iii) So that the active area is any closer than one hundred feet to the facility property line for land zoned as nonresidential, except that the active area may be no closer than two hundred and fifty feet to the property line of adjacent land zoned as residential existing at the time of the county's adoption of the comprehensive solid waste management plan;
(iv) So as to be at variance with any locally-adopted land use plan or zoning requirement unless otherwise provided by local law or ordinance; and
(v) So that the active area is any closer than one thousand feet to any state or national park.
(k) Toxic air emissions. See WAC 173-304-400 such as WAC 173-304-460 (2)(b), landfill performance standards.

## Nearby sections

- [WAC 173-304-010 WAC 173-304-010. Authority and purpose](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_ADC_173_304_010.md)
- [WAC 173-304-011 WAC 173-304-011. County planning requirements](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_ADC_173_304_011.md)
- [WAC 173-304-012 WAC 173-304-012. Planning requirements for energy recovery or incineration facilities](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_ADC_173_304_012.md)
- [WAC 173-304-015 WAC 173-304-015. Applicability](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_ADC_173_304_015.md)
- [WAC 173-304-100 WAC 173-304-100. Definitions](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_ADC_173_304_100.md)
- [WAC 173-304-130 WAC 173-304-130. Locational standards for disposal sites](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_ADC_173_304_130.md)
- [WAC 173-304-190 WAC 173-304-190. Owner responsibilities for solid waste](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_ADC_173_304_190.md)
- [WAC 173-304-195 WAC 173-304-195. Permit required](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_ADC_173_304_195.md)
- [WAC 173-304-200 WAC 173-304-200. On-site containerized storage, collection and transportation standards for solid waste](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_ADC_173_304_200.md)
- [WAC 173-304-300 WAC 173-304-300. Waste recycling facility standards](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_ADC_173_304_300.md)
- [WAC 173-304-400 WAC 173-304-400. Solid waste handling facility standards](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_ADC_173_304_400.md)
- [WAC 173-304-405 WAC 173-304-405. General facility requirements](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_ADC_173_304_405.md)
- [WAC 173-304-407 WAC 173-304-407. General closure and post-closure requirements](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_ADC_173_304_407.md)
- [WAC 173-304-410 WAC 173-304-410. Transfer stations, baling and compaction systems, and drop box facilities](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_ADC_173_304_410.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_ADC_173_304_130. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.
