Do I Need a Permit to Rent a Dumpster in Arizona?

Whether you’re completely overhauling a retail space, you’re renovating your kitchen or bathroom, or you need to clean out a basement or attic that’s piled high with junk, if you’re about to embark on a project that’s going to generate a lot of waste, you might be planning on renting a dumpster. Before you rent a dumpster, however, there are a few factors that you’re going to want to take into consideration: the size you’re going to need, how long you’ll need it for, and which company to hire, for example. There’s another key factor that you’re going to want to consider, and one that many people overlook: whether or not you need to get a permit. 

Roll-off Dumpster Rental

Believe it or not, in some jurisdictions, in order to place a dumpster on a property, ordinances require permits. If your city does require a dumpster rental permit and you fail to secure one, you could end up facing fines and other problems. In order to avoid unnecessary headaches, read on to find out if what you need to know about dumpster rental permits. 

The Type of Property and The Location

The type of property and the location where you will be placing the permit will largely determine whether or not a permit will be required. If you’re planning on having the dumpster you’ll be renting on public property, in most cities, a permit will be required. Examples of public locations include public right-of-ways, such as a sidewalk in front of your business, a street that is open to the public, or a property that is owned by the city. Why do you need a permit to place a dumpster on public property? Because you aren’t allowed to impede or block the flow of traffic – vehicular or pedestrian – without first letting your city know about your intentions and obtaining their permission, and alerting your jurisdiction about your intentions and asking for their approval requires filing an application for a permit at your local permitting office. 

If the property that you are planning on placing the dumpster you’re going to be renting is privately owned, in the vast majority of cities, a permit will not be required. Examples of private property include your front or backyard, or your driveway. It’s important to note, however, that if you have a Homeowner’s Association (HOA), there may be rules that you’ll need to keep in mind regarding where the container can be placed and whether or not you’ll need a permit. With that said, if you do have an HOA, make sure that you find about the rules before you make arrangements to rent a dumpster and have it dropped off on your property. 

The Type of Project

Whether the property is public or private, if the project you’re planning on doing is major and requires permits, those permits may cover the dumpster rental. For example, if you’re adding an addition, such as a new room or an entirely new floor, to your home, you’re going to completely renovate your commercial property, or any other big project, you’ll likely need permits before you can do the work, and often, these types of permits will cover a dumpster rental. When you’re securing permits for your project, make sure you find out exactly what it covers, and ask outright if a container rental will be covered. 

How to Secure a Dumpster Rental Permit

The location where the project is being done will impact whether you or the company you will be renting the dumpster from is be responsible for securing a permit. In some jurisdictions, companies that offer dumpster rentals and waste disposal services are responsible for securing dumpster permits. In other locations, securing a permit is the responsibility of the individual who will be renting the container. 

Here are some tips that you can use to figure out if you need to get a permit and if so, how to obtain one. 

  • Find out about permitting requirements. Start by finding out if your city requires permits for dumpster rentals. A quick online search including the name of your location and terms like “street occupancy”, “right away”, or even “dumpster rental permits” should return results that will indicate the policies that have been established for your area. 
  • Contact your public works department or HOA. If you do need to get a permit, get in touch with your local public works department or your HOA. These organizations will be able to tell you exactly what you’ll need to do in order to secure a permit for the dumpster that you will be renting. 

Looking for Reliable Dumpster Rental Services in Arizona? 

If you’re planning a big project in Phoenix that requires a lot of debris and you need reliable dumpster rental services, contact Arizona Portables! As a leading full-service waste management company that services the greater Phoenix area, you can count on us to help you with all your dumpster rental needs. 

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