Do I Need a Permit to Rent a Dumpster?
Dumpsters are one of the best tools at your disposal for both commercial and residential projects. They can help you quickly and easily remove debris and junk from your property without the need for extra help. However, now that you’re ready to rent a dumpster, you might be wondering if you need to get a permit from your local municipality or town government to place the rental dumpster. It’s a fair question, and unfortunately there isn’t a straightforward yes or no answer we can give you, because it will depend on your specific situation.
When Do I Need a Permit for a Dumpster Rental?
Commercial Dumpster Permits
For many commercial or construction projects, placing your dumpster on the actual property isn’t an option. If you do find that you’ll need to place the dumpster on the street in a parking section, or even on the sidewalk, then yes you will need to obtain a permit to place it in that location. If it will be on public property that could potentially get in the way of transportation and other projects. If you are exclusively using a dumpster on your own property, then you shouldn’t need to worry about getting a permit.
Residential Dumpster Permits
In the case of a residential dumpster rental, the ability to place it on the actual property is much more common. It’s also much better for the renter when the location of the dumpster is closer to the home that you are clearing out. In this case you probably will not need to worry about getting a permit, but if you live in a densely populated urban area then it is much more common for renters to utilize the sidewalk or street space.
How to Obtain a Permit
Depending on the city or location of your property, the responsibility of obtaining the permit may fall on you, or it may fall on the actual dumpster rental service company. You should be able to figure out which it is with a simple phone call or google search, but alternatively, when you request an estimate, the company you book through should walk you through the procedure in your town. For this reason, sometimes it’s better to get in touch with an expert first and then do additional research if needed to save time. In some cases the dumpster rental company will even cover the cost of the permit so it’s even less work on your part.
Does My City Require a Permit for Dumpster Rentals?
A call to your local government, or a Google search with the name of your city/town and street occupancy or right of way laws are a great place to start. If you can, get your information from your local government office website, for the most accurate information. This site will usually end in .gov.
Contact Local Public Works Department
If you do need a permit, you’ll need to get in touch with your local Public Works Department. If you live in certain communities, you might also need to talk to the relevant homeowners association for approval.
