Some Seattle homeowners say their garbage bills are starting to look like a bad joke. Surprise “extra” trash fees are popping up on Seattle Public Utilities statements, and residents insist they are being charged for bags that never hit the curb. Capitol Hill homeowner Elizabeth Forsyth says one recent bill included $27.90 for two extra bags even though her Ring camera shows only standard, closed-lid bins by the garage. Neighbors have told her some households have piled up hundreds of dollars in extra fees over multiple billing cycles, pushing frustrated residents to demand concrete proof of how and when these charges are added.
What's showing up on bills
Forsyth told KIRO 7 she has spotted extra-bag fees on and off for years. On a February bill, she pointed to a $27.90 charge for two extra bags while her Ring footage, she says, shows no overflow at the curb. She also said one neighbor had roughly $350 in extra-garbage fees spread across five separate bills. Those kinds of numbers have motivated residents to press the utility to show clear proof whenever they tack on extra-bag charges.
How SPU charges work
According to Seattle Public Utilities, customers pay $13.60 for each extra bag, bundle, or 32-gallon cart that exceeds their regular service. Each extra unit is supposed to be capped at 60 pounds. The utility’s rate information states that any overflow that keeps a lid from closing counts as extra garbage and lays out options for special pickups and possible rate adjustments. Customers can review these charges on their combined utility accounts and are encouraged to contact SPU with billing questions.
Why residents are skeptical
Residents who have called to dispute the surprise add-ons say they are not getting the basic proof they expect. Forsyth told reporters she has not received photos documenting the alleged extra bags and added that “I think they should be taking photos” anytime those fees appear. SPU spokeswoman Sally Hulsman told reporters the utility has averaged about $8 million a year in extra-garbage charges over the past five years and said SPU will begin photographing extra bags for customers who repeatedly report errors as it updates how it bills for extras, as reported by KIRO 7.
What to do if you see a charge
If an unexpected extra-bag fee shows up on your bill, start by checking your combined utility statement or SPU online account and hang on to any home video or photos that show your cans and the curb at pickup time. You can call SPU Customer Service at (206) 684-3000 to dispute a charge or request a review. The rates page explains how to seek special rates or waivers, per Seattle Public Utilities. Keeping timestamps, screenshots, and copies of all correspondence can help speed up any review.
A long-running policy
Charging for extra garbage is nothing new in Seattle, and has been part of the city’s system for years, according to The Seattle Times, which noted in 2002 that the city was already collecting revenue from extra-garbage fees as enforcement tightened. The rules are written into city law, and the municipal code spells out solid-waste charges and directs those revenues to Seattle’s solid-waste fund, per Seattle's municipal code. The current blowback from residents highlights a familiar tension among enforcement, billing transparency, and customer trust as the utility works on updating its processes.
