Hazardous waste generation fee

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This fee applies to businesses that generate hazardous waste in Washington state.

Each spring, we mail this fee to all businesses that might have generated hazardous waste during the previous year. It is not a permit.

You must pay this fee if your business met one or both of the following criteria in the previous calendar year:

Your business generated dangerous waste in the year billed AND the value of all your products, gross proceeds of sales, or gross income exceeded $12,000.
Your business had an active EPA/State Site Identification number AND reported dangerous waste generation activities.

You might qualify to pay $0.

If your business did not generate hazardous waste, or you are unsure your business meets the above requirements:

Please fill out our request for a waiver or exemption before the due date. We will review your request and contact you with our decision or any follow-up questions.

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How much is the fee?

The current fee is $65.

The previous fee was $60.00.
The amount changes with inflation.

Who is required to pay the fee?

You must pay this fee if your business met one or both of the following in the previous calendar year:

Your business generated dangerous waste in the year billed AND the value of all your products, gross proceeds of sales, or gross income exceeded $12,000.
Your business had an active EPA/State Site Identification number AND reported dangerous waste generation activities.

If you are unsure or do not meet the requirements above:

Please fill out our request for a waiver or exemption so we can determine if you need to pay the fee.

Why did your business receive an invoice?

We are required to send invoices to any business if they met one or both of the following requirements in the previous calendar year:

Your North American Industrial Classification System (NAICS) code falls within those that typically generate hazardous waste AND your business grossed more than $12,000.
Your business reported hazardous waste under an EPA/State Identification (Site ID) number.

What is a NAICS code?

Your NAICS code is listed on the back of your invoice. A NAICS code is:

A 6-digit number used to identify industry business sectors and activities.
Recorded as part of your business license application.
Determined by the Department of Revenue (DOR).

The federal government oversees the NAICS code system. They update NAICS codes every 5 years. If this is the first time you have received this fee, it could be because the system changed your NAICS code during this process.

Why might your business qualify to pay $0?

The NAICS code requirement is often why some businesses receive an invoice. If your business does not generate hazardous waste, you might qualify for a waiver or exemption (in which case, you could pay $0).

Fill out the request for a waiver or exemption before the due date on your invoice to apply for:

One year waiver: If you did not generate any amount of hazardous waste in the year billed.
Exemption: If you never generate hazardous waste.

If you are unsure if the fee applies to you:

Please fill out the request for a waiver or exemption so we can determine if you need to pay the fee.

After we receive your request:

We will respond within a few business days by email.
We may request additional information in order to make a determination.

Frequently asked questions

If you think your business is classified under the wrong NAICS code, please do the following:

Fill out our request for a waiver or exemption (if you did not generate hazardous waste during the previous year).
Contact Washington Department of Revenue to see if they can change your NAICS code to something closer to your business industry. This is not required, but can be helpful if your NAICS code classification is a clear mismatch for your industry.

We cannot update your NAICS code on your behalf.

Some businesses may receive two bills if they:

Received a reminder notice for an unpaid bill and an invoice for the new billing cycle.
Have more than one business required to pay the fee.
Made a change to their business license last year, which then changed their state tax identification number.

If you made a change to your business, you must:

Pay the fee for the old business tax number.
Apply for a one year waiver for the new tax number.

Contact Washington Department of Revenue (DOR) to update your:

Business mailing address (Note: Address changes may affect the mailing of your tax information.)
NAICS code
Other business information

We cannot update your information on your behalf. We receive your information directly from DOR. You must contact DOR and work with them to make any updates.

If you made a change to your business that caused your tax number to change, you must:

Pay the fee for the old business tax number.
Apply for a one year waiver for the new tax number.

The fee was established by the Legislature in 1990. We use the funds to provide non-regulatory, confidential technical assistance to businesses like yours.

Want help?

Take advantage of this service to learn to manage waste safely and:

Reduce hazardous waste and prevent pollution.
Find safer alternatives to toxic chemicals.
Improve and maintain safety in the workplace.
Avoid environmental accidents.
Understand the dangerous waste regulations.
Reduce energy loss.

Many businesses have reduced or eliminated waste through these consultations, and also reduced overall business costs.

Most businesses in Washington generate some type of dangerous waste — waste that’s potentially harmful to health and the environment. For the purpose of the fee, dangerous waste and hazardous waste mean the same thing.

Hazardous waste is a federal term. Dangerous waste is a state term.

Learn more about:

Common types of dangerous wastes that businesses generate
Dangerous waste guidance

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We offer free language services about our programs and services for people whose primary language is not English. We can provide written information in your preferred language and interpreters in person or over the telephone.

Contact our Language Access team: civilrights@ecy.wa.gov

Contact information

Hazardous Waste Generation Fee Team
HazWasteGenFee@ecy.wa.gov
866-211-2955

Need an interpreter?
Interpreter services are available for many languages when you call us at the number above.