Scope: the City of Boston only. Other cities and towns set their own dumpster rules, and none of them is covered here — the authority for each is that municipality’s own departments. Prices below are national figures published by Angi, not Boston figures.
What a dumpster costs
D. Clancy & Sons quotes each job individually. The figures on this page are ranges published by the named sources, not a quote.
- Dumpster rental: $294–$480 per week, by size and rental length — Angi
- 2-cubic-yard dumpster, about 400 lb: $75–$200 per week — Angi
- 40-yard roll-off, 5–6 tons: up to $800 per week — Angi
- Weight overage fees: up to $200 — Angi
- Angi's guidance: construction materials, yard waste and hazardous items need different handling, which affects the total. — Angi
What Boston requires to place one
- A permit is required to have a dumpster. — Boston Public Works
- A dumpster needs a license from Public Works only if it sits on a public way; that license is obtained through a street occupancy permit. — Boston Inspectional Services
- The Site Cleanliness Ordinance applies to every bulk refuse container, commercial or residential. — Boston Inspectional Services
- The Site Cleanliness License fee is $50. — Boston Inspectional Services
- A home with six or more units needs a Site Cleanliness Permit from Inspectional Services (City Ordinance Article 23, Section 2); the fine is $50, and not more than $1,000. — Boston Public Works
- City property may not be occupied without valid permits from Public Works and Inspectional Services (Article 16, Section 122A). — Boston Public Works
- Dumpsters may not be overfilled (Article 23, Sections 1 and 8); the fine is $50. — Boston Public Works
What the street occupancy application asks
- For containers, the applicant supplies a letter of authorization from the company that owns them, and that company must hold a bond with the City. — Boston Public Works
- Surety bond: $5,000 for occupancy permits, $20,000 for excavation permits. — Boston Public Works
- The application asks whether a chute or other drop method is used; what staging or fencing is used; whether the sidewalk is obstructed and whether an ADA-compliant pedestrian detour is provided; the length of the truck; and how much street length and width will be used. — Boston Public Works
- Blocking metered spaces: signs at least two days before the job, fliers at least one day before. — Boston Public Works
- Public Works may withhold a permit if the scope of work is insufficiently described. — Boston Public Works
Questions to put to Boston Public Works
- Is a chute or other drop method being used? — ask Boston Public Works (Boston Public Works)
- What staging or fencing is used? — ask Boston Public Works (Boston Public Works)
- Is the sidewalk obstructed, and is an ADA-compliant pedestrian detour provided? — ask Boston Public Works (Boston Public Works)
- What is the length of the truck? — ask Boston Public Works (Boston Public Works)
- How much street length and width will be used? — ask Boston Public Works (Boston Public Works)
- Are metered spaces being blocked, and have signs gone up at least two days before and fliers at least one day before? — ask Boston Public Works (Boston Public Works)
Boston vs. Quincy Demolition Permits
Any scope of work that requires a state license is performed by licensed specialists that D. Clancy & Sons coordinates as part of the project.
Sources
- Boston Inspectional Services — How to apply for a Site Cleanliness License
- Boston Public Works — How to get a street occupancy, excavation or driveway permit
- Boston Public Works — How code enforcement works in Boston
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