Dumpsters can take up a lot of space — some are even the size of a two-car garage. That can be an inconvenience for those who need to move around it, which is why, sometimes, companies and individuals will need permits to rent a dumpster. However, not every project will require a permit for a dumpster rental. Each project is different, which means each project’s specific needs will vary.
Below, we dive into the two main categories most projects fall into, which then dictate what regulations the dumpster renter must follow. When in doubt, get in touch with your trusted dumpster company or city officials: they will tell you how to move forward so you can get the job done efficiently without breaking any hidden rules.
Dumpsters for Residential Projects
Residential projects, such as cleaning up debris after a bad storm, taking down a house in a demolition, or adding on an addition, for example, do not require any kind of special permit. The understanding here is that the home or property owner is handling the project that involves a dumpster rental, and as such the rental would be placed on private, not public, property. Property owners can have a rental for as long as they want; depending on the intensity of the project and your proximity to neighbors, it is advised that you let your neighbors know of the project so they can expect some noise and action.
Dumpsters can be placed on driveways, yards, backyards, or wherever on the owned property — the one thing to know is it can not be placed on any public areas, such as the sidewalk or road outside your home.
Dumpsters Located on Public Right-of-Way
Dumpsters living on a privately owned property are fair game; no permit needed. However, if you want your dumpster to be a right-of-way project, or one that interferes with traffic patterns or the public’s access to public land, then you will need a permit from your city. Sometimes, this can also be true of a residential project if you live in a shared neighborhood homeowner association. In this case you will have to go to the powers that be: this may be the homeowner association, the city council, or the public works department. You will need to clear this before reserving the dumpster and of course before it arrives.
Sometimes, there may be a fee with this permit. Always be sure to know how long the rental may be placed somewhere — if it is there after the terms of the permit are up, you may be charged a fine. Also have an idea of how large the dumpster may be as size may affect the terms of the permit.
Working with Trash It means you will have a team of experts telling you how the permit process works; we offer professional recommendations for the size of your dumpster and the length of your rental so you can be as informed as possible when moving forward with a permit.