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How Does Dumpster Rental Laws Change From State To State?

Apart from rental costs, placement space, dumpster size, and rental laws are other factors you should bring into consideration when renting one.

Laws governing dumpster rental are relative to state and rental company. What this implies is that they vary from one state to another and one rental company to another.

We cannot tell you what laws govern dumpster rental in a certain state but we can tell you about the general ordinances that prevail in different states.

This article aims to bring to light the different aspects of dumpster rental rules and the way they vary across different states. It also discusses the penalties that come with the violation of each law.  

Size and Weight Restrictions

What state are you looking to rent a dumpster?

Different states have different size and weight restrictions governing dumpster rental. Very big dumpsters can obstruct the visual appeal of certain locations, a situation in which you will be required to operate with much smaller sizes. However, in certain commercial locations, the same dumpster sizes might be allowed, with other rules taking effect. Even if you have enough space for the desired dumpster size, it is always advisable to first check with the local management on what size is allowed.  

Dumpster weight is critical when renting one since exceeding the set weight limit can damage the local roads as the container is being hauled to the dumpsite. Note that the violation of these restrictions will attract penalties that stretch from hefty fines to legal suits. 

Permits and Licensing 

Generally, almost all states have some sort of permits and licensing to be acquired before renting dumpsters. The reason for this is that dumpsters somehow interfere with the lives of other people and the environment in one way or another. For instance, a tall dumpster may hamper the visual appeal of certain areas, while the tossing of some items may affect public health. As a reason, permits and licenses are necessary before placing dumpsters in such areas. 

The provisions in permits and licenses vary from one state to another, depending on their specific waste policies. The timeline of processing such documentation also varies across different states. The cost of permits and licenses determines the total dumpster rental fees across different states. 

Environmental Regulations

Generally, hazardous items, medical equipment and automobile waste such as grease, tires and oils are prohibited from dumpsters. However, the list of items allowed into dumpsters varies across states and the dumper providers. The variation is dependent on the local waste policies, which also vary across different states. Most states and dumpster companies require dumpster renters to segregate waste according to class and type before discarding it. Depending on your state policies, you may also be required to separate recyclable from non-recyclable waste types. Likewise, failure to adhere to such regulations will automatically attract penalties that may even stretch to legal suits. 

Local Zoning Laws

Dumpster placement in some areas in some states is completely prohibited while in others, the placement is governed by stringent rules and regulations. For instance, dumpster placement can be allowed in some public streets but only for a specified duration. Dumpster placement on public streets may be prohibited in other states. Local zoning laws are usually aimed at protecting the visual integrity of such areas with environmental wellbeing being the focal point. 

Fees and Penalties

Fees and penalties also make the long list of dumpster laws prevailing in different states across the nation. The rental fees change according to location, dumpster size, the providing company, season, and the duration for which the dumpster is needed. Also coming into play are the non-compliance penalties. Non-compliance may come in various forms including exceeding the set weight limit, tossing prohibited items, and exceeding the rental duration. The amount of penalty fees for non-compliance is also dependent on how stringent such laws are in the specific states. 

Local Ordinances

Local ordinances such as operation hours and noise regulations may also apply in some states. To remain compliant with such ordinances, the providing company must adjust delivery and retrieval timelines to minimize noise disruptions in the specific zones. These too, like any other laws, attract penalties and fines from the relevant authorities. 

In conclusion, dumpster laws vary across different providing companies in different states. Certain things that are prohibited in one state may not be an issue in another state. This is why it is always advisable to first confirm with the local laws prevailing in your state. Most providing companies are familiar with prevailing dumpster laws and they will educate you at the point of renting one. 

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