Scope: the City of Boston only. The Site Cleanliness License is issued by the City’s Inspectional Services Department; every line below links the City page it comes from.
The short answer
Who it applies to
- The license applies to any commercial or residential property using a dumpster or bulk refuse container. — Boston Inspectional Services
- Boston Public Works’ code-enforcement page says a home with six or more units needs a Site Cleanliness Permit from Inspectional Services. — Boston Public Works
The two City pages describe the threshold differently. Confirm with Inspectional Services before relying on either one.
What the license requires
- Under the Site Cleanliness Ordinance, property and business owners must prevent overflowing dumpsters, wind-blown litter, and rodents and pests. — Boston Inspectional Services
- Bulk refuse containers must be leak-proof, free of structural holes or cracks, fitted with secure and tight drain plugs, and kept tightly closed with lids. — Boston Inspectional Services
- Dumpster applicants supply the waste hauler’s name, address and phone number, how often the hauler services the site, and a copy of the current solid waste disposal contract, with a recent invoice if the contract is more than a year old. — Boston Inspectional Services
Fees, renewal and fines
- The license must be renewed every year. Renewal notices start to go out in October, and licenses are valid until December 31. — Boston Inspectional Services
- The City says it normally approves licenses within a week, and no inspection is required to receive one. — Boston Inspectional Services
- Fines for Site Cleanliness Ordinance violations can range from smaller amounts up to $1,000 per day. — Boston Inspectional Services
How to apply
- Applications can be made by email, in person or by mail; the email address is isdenvironmental@boston.gov. — Boston Inspectional Services
- If the dumpster sits on a public way, like a sidewalk or street, a Street Occupancy Permit from Public Works is also needed. — Boston Inspectional Services
Construction debris in Boston
- The City of Boston does not collect construction debris and tells residents to find a private hauler for it. — Boston Public Works
Boston Dumpster Permits · 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 — Site Cleanliness License
- Boston Public Works — How code enforcement works in Boston
- Boston Public Works — Trash
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