Dumpster Permits by Town

Why every rental needs a fire department permit

The state fire code (527 CMR 1.00) requires a permit from the local fire department for any dumpster over 6 cubic yards, on a private driveway too, unless it is delivered and removed on the same business day. Every size we rent is 10 yards or more and stays at least three days, so every rental needs one.

Getting the permits is the customer's responsibility. In Lynnfield and Watertown the DPW permit also needs a bond, so call us before booking there. We read every town rule below on the town's own website, bylaws or regulations, and each entry links to its source with the date we checked it. Rules change, so confirm with the town before delivery day.

Getting the permits

1. Apply to your fire department for the dumpster permit. Several take the application online.
2. Find your town below. If the town wants its own permit too, its row names it.
3. Apply before delivery day. Methuen's Board of Health permit must be obtained at least three business days before delivery, and Reading's must be issued at least five business days before delivery; most towns publish no lead time.
4. Where a form asks for the dumpster company, use SDC Container LLC, 617-459-7536. Our dumpsters are 10, 12, 15 and 20 cubic yards.

A driveway avoids the street permit and protects the road. If yours is tight, the 10-yard dumpster is made for tight driveways, and you can describe the spot in the placement notes when you book.

North Shore & Merrimack Valley

Towns served from our North Reading yard.

• Andover

  Driveway: Fire department permit + Board of Health permit.

  Fire permit: Andover Fire Rescue issues it as a separate permit.

  Town permit: A Board of Health permit is required for any temporary dumpster over 6 cubic yards (every size we rent), private property included.

  Street or sidewalk: Needs permission from the Select Board, in writing.

  Source: Andover Dumpster Affidavit; Health Division fee schedule; General Bylaws Art. XI s.3, checked Sep 29, 2026

• Arlington

  Driveway: Fire department permit + Inspectional Services Department permit.

  Town permit: An Inspectional Services Department permit is required for every temporary dumpster, private property included.

  Street or sidewalk: Arlington does not allow dumpsters on the street.

  Source: Arlington Bylaws Title V Art. 9 (a permit for every dumpster); ISD Dumpster/Pod Permit ("not allowed on the street"), checked Sep 29, 2026

• Bedford

  Driveway: Fire department permit only (no town permit found).

  Street or sidewalk: Needs permission from the Director of Public Works, in writing.

  Source: Bedford General Bylaws Art. 46.4, checked Sep 28, 2026

• Belmont

  Driveway: Fire department permit + Health Department permit.

  Town permit: A Health Department permit is required for every temporary dumpster, private property included, and each permit runs three months, renewable once.

  Street or sidewalk: Needs permission from the Police Department and the Department of Public Works.

  Source: Belmont BOH Dumpster Regulations (eff. 2024-11-25), checked Sep 28, 2026

• Billerica

  Driveway: Fire department permit only (no town permit found).

  Street or sidewalk: Billerica's bylaws bar storing trash or building materials on a public street or private road, and the Select Board licenses a temporary sidewalk obstruction during building work.

  Source: Billerica General By-Laws (updated 10-2023) Art. VI s.3.1, Art. XVIII s.9, checked Sep 29, 2026

• Burlington

  Driveway: Fire department permit only.

  Street or sidewalk: Needs permission from the Select Board, with proof of liability insurance.

  Source: Burlington Fire Department Permit Fees (Dumpster); Town Clerk New Business Guide, checked Sep 29, 2026

• Carlisle

  Driveway: Fire department permit only (no town permit found).

  Street or sidewalk: Needs permission from the Select Board and the Superintendent of Public Works.

  Source: Carlisle General Bylaws 10.3.3, 10.3.7, checked Sep 28, 2026

• Chelmsford

  Driveway: Fire department permit + Board of Health permit.

  Fire permit: The Fire Department issues it as a temporary dumpster permit.

  Town permit: A Board of Health permit is required for every temporary dumpster, private property included.

  Street or sidewalk: For a street spot, ask the Department of Public Works first.

  Source: Chelmsford Code s.201-21, s.201-23C; Permitting & Licenses page, checked Sep 29, 2026

• Danvers

  Driveway: Fire department permit only.

  Fire permit: The Fire Prevention Bureau issues it, and each permit covers up to 45 days.

  Street or sidewalk: Danvers does not allow dumpsters on a street or sidewalk at all.

  Source: Danvers Fire Prevention Bureau, Dumpster Permit (Construction), checked Sep 28, 2026

• Dracut

  Driveway: Fire department permit; ask the Board of Health whether the town wants one too.

  Town rule: The Board of Health lists a temporary dumpster permit in its fee schedule but publishes no rule saying who needs one, so ask the Board of Health.

  Street or sidewalk: A dumpster on a town street needs a permit from the Department of Public Works, which cannot issue one for the state roads (Routes 38, 110 and 113); for those, ask MassDOT.

  Source: Dracut Board of Health Schedule of Fees (eff. 2026-07-01); DPW Dumpster Permit (OpenGov); General Bylaws Ch. 22 s.5.3, checked Sep 29, 2026

• Haverhill

  Driveway: Fire department permit + Board of Health permit.

  Town permit: A Board of Health permit is required for every temporary dumpster, private property included, and a temporary permit is good for one month.

  Street or sidewalk: Needs permission from the Engineering Department (a street obstruction permit).

  Source: Haverhill Building Permits FAQ; BOH temporary dumpster permit, checked Sep 28, 2026

• Lawrence

  Driveway: Fire department permit only.

  Fire permit: The Fire Prevention Bureau issues it.

  Street or sidewalk: A dumpster on the street or a public way needs a permit to obstruct from Inspectional Services.

  Source: Lawrence Fire Prevention Bureau Dumpster Requirements (527 CMR 19.1.1), checked Sep 28, 2026

• Lexington

  Driveway: Fire department permit + Board of Health permit.

  Town permit: A Board of Health permit is required for every temporary dumpster, private property included.

  Street or sidewalk: Needs permission from the Engineering Division (a right-of-way obstruction permit).

  Source: Lexington Code s.155-81C; OpenGov Dumpster Permit and ROW Obstruction Permit, checked Sep 28, 2026

• Lowell

  Driveway: Fire department permit + Development Services Division permit.

  Town permit: A Development Services Division permit is required for every temporary dumpster, private property included, unless the job's building permit already covers a construction dumpster.

  Street or sidewalk: Needs permission from the City Engineer's office (a dumpster permit of up to 14 days).

  Source: Lowell Code s.171-13, s.115-2; lowellma.gov/1760 Dumpster-Pod Permits, checked Sep 28, 2026

• Lynn

  Driveway: Fire department permit only for a clean-out; a construction dumpster must be covered by the job's building permit.

  Town rule: A clean-out dumpster removed within 30 days needs no Board of Health license, and a construction dumpster falls under the job's building permit.

  Street or sidewalk: Needs permission from the Department of Public Works.

  Source: Lynn Board of Health Dumpster Regulations (adopted 2023-05-03) s.1, s.2.1, s.4.12, checked Sep 29, 2026

• Lynnfield

  Driveway: Fire department permit + DPW Street Access permit. Call us before booking.

  Town permit: The DPW requires a Street Access permit, marked "Dumpster" on the application, for every temporary dumpster, private property included. The DPW asks for insurance and a bond with that permit, so call us before booking in Lynnfield.

  Street or sidewalk: Needs permission from the Select Board, in writing.

  Source: Lynnfield DPW Street Opening / Street Access / Trench permits page; Town Code s.143-6 A(3), s.217-4, checked Sep 29, 2026

• Melrose

  Driveway: Fire department permit + Building Department permit.

  Town permit: A Building Department permit is required for every temporary dumpster, private property included.

  Street or sidewalk: Needs permission from the City Engineer, plus a street occupancy permit from the Director of Public Works.

  Source: Melrose Revised Ordinances ch. 198 art. III, s.198-7C, s.198-8, s.198-9, checked Sep 29, 2026

• Methuen

  Driveway: Fire department permit + Board of Health permit.

  Town permit: A Board of Health permit is required for every temporary dumpster, private property included. It must be obtained at least three business days before delivery.

  Street or sidewalk: For a street spot, the Board of Health also needs approval from the Police, Fire and Public Works departments.

  Source: Methuen BOH Dumpster Regulations s.5.1.2, s.6.1, checked Sep 29, 2026

• Middleton

  Driveway: Fire department permit only (no town permit found).

  Street or sidewalk: Needs permission from the Board of Health, in writing.

  Source: Middleton Code s.206-6, checked Sep 28, 2026

• North Andover

  Driveway: Fire department permit + Building Department permit.

  Town permit: A Building Department permit is required for every temporary dumpster, private property included, unless the job's building permit already covers the dumpster.

  Street or sidewalk: North Andover publishes no street rule for a dumpster that we found, so ask the Director of Public Works first.

  Source: North Andover Building Department, Temporary Dumpster Permit (OpenGov record type 6508), checked Sep 29, 2026

• North Reading

  Driveway: Fire department permit only (no town permit found).

  Street or sidewalk: Needs permission from the Director of Public Works.

  Source: North Reading Code Ch. 158 (Streets and Sidewalks) s.158-6, checked Sep 28, 2026

• Peabody

  Driveway: Fire department permit only.

  Fire permit: The Fire Department issues it, and the permit names the dumpster company.

  Street or sidewalk: The Fire Department's rules also say dumpsters must be placed off the street.

  Source: Peabody Fire Department dumpster permit; City Code s.14-32, checked Sep 28, 2026

• Reading

  Driveway: Fire department permit + Board of Health permit.

  Fire permit: The Fire Department signs off on the dumpster's spot.

  Town permit: A Board of Health permit is required for every temporary dumpster, private property included. It must be issued at least five business days before delivery.

  Street or sidewalk: Needs permission from the Select Board or its designee.

  Source: Reading Health Reg. Section 04 (Dumpster), eff. 2025-09-11; General Bylaw Art. 8.1, checked Sep 29, 2026

• Saugus

  Driveway: Fire department permit + Inspectional Services Department permit.

  Town permit: An Inspectional Services Department permit is required for every temporary dumpster, private property included.

  Street or sidewalk: Needs permission from the Department of Public Works.

  Source: Saugus ISD Dumpster Permit form, checked Sep 28, 2026

• Stoneham

  Driveway: Fire department permit + Board of Health permit.

  Town permit: A Board of Health permit is required for every temporary dumpster, private property included.

  Street or sidewalk: Needs permission from the Select Board.

  Source: Stoneham Code Ch. 20 Art. V (Dumpster Regulations) s.20-34(a), s.20-35, s.20-44, checked Sep 29, 2026

• Tewksbury

  Driveway: Fire department permit; ask the Health Department whether the town wants one too.

  Fire permit: The Fire Department issues it.

  Town rule: The Board of Health's rules tie a short-term dumpster to a building permit or the Health Agent's approval, so ask the Health Department before a clean-out.

  Street or sidewalk: Needs permission from the Department of Public Works and the Police Department.

  Source: Tewksbury Board of Health Dumpster Regulations Ch. 7, s.7.3, s.7.5 (and s.7.4.4, s.7.6.5), checked Sep 29, 2026

• Tyngsborough

  Driveway: Fire department permit; ask the Board of Health whether the town wants one too.

  Town rule: The Board of Health runs a dumpster permit but has not published its dumpster rules, so ask the Board of Health whether a short rental needs one. The town bylaws also require a container this size to sit at least 10 feet from any building.

  Street or sidewalk: Needs permission from the Engineering Department, through a right-of-way obstruction permit.

  Source: Tyngsborough BOH Dumpster Permit (OpenGov); Health Fee Schedule 2023; General Bylaws Art. XXIV, checked Sep 29, 2026

• Wakefield

  Driveway: Fire department permit + Board of Health permit.

  Town permit: A Board of Health permit is required for every temporary dumpster, private property included, and a temporary permit covers up to 45 days.

  Street or sidewalk: A street spot needs a right-of-way permit from the DPW Engineering Division, but the Board of Health's rules bar dumpsters on the public way, so confirm with Engineering first.

  Source: Wakefield Board of Health Dumpster Regulation (rev. 2024-10-18); DPW Engineering FAQ; Code s.175-4, checked Sep 29, 2026

• Westford

  Driveway: Fire department permit only (no town permit found).

  Street or sidewalk: Needs permission from the Select Board, in writing.

  Source: Westford General Bylaws s.148.4, checked Sep 28, 2026

• Wilmington

  Driveway: Fire department permit only (no town permit found).

  Street or sidewalk: Needs permission from the Department of Public Works.

  Source: Wilmington Code s.285-2, checked Sep 28, 2026

• Winchester

  Driveway: Fire department permit + Board of Health permit.

  Town permit: A Board of Health permit is required for every temporary dumpster, private property included, and the short-term permit runs 30 days.

  Street or sidewalk: Needs permission from the Select Board or its designee, in writing.

  Source: Winchester Board of Health Dumpster Regulation s.B, s.D.1, s.E.5 (eff. 2017-07-01), checked Sep 29, 2026

• Woburn

  Driveway: Fire department permit only (no town permit found).

  Street or sidewalk: Needs permission from the Superintendent of Public Works.

  Source: Woburn Municipal Code (through 2025-08-01) Title 8 Art. VII s.8-17; s.12-15, s.12-16, checked Sep 29, 2026

MetroWest

Towns served from our Hudson yard.

• Acton

  Driveway: Fire department permit only, for a normal rental.

  Town rule: The Board of Health registers dumpsters only when they are kept longer than three months.

  Street or sidewalk: Needs permission from the Select Board, in writing, if it stays 24 hours or more.

  Source: Acton Health Reg. 2.6.1; General Bylaws s.E38, checked Sep 28, 2026

• Ashland

  Driveway: Fire department permit + Board of Health permit.

  Town permit: A Board of Health permit is required for every temporary dumpster, private property included.

  Street or sidewalk: Needs permission from the Select Board.

  Source: Ashland BOH regulation s.314-6.A; Code s.249-11, checked Sep 28, 2026

• Ayer

  Driveway: Fire department permit only.

  Street or sidewalk: Needs permission from the Department of Public Works (a street opening permit).

  Source: Ayer Fire Dumpster Permit FP-6; Code s.455-5E, s.438-1B, checked Sep 28, 2026

• Berlin

  Driveway: Fire department permit only.

  Fire permit: The Fire Department issues it, and the application is filed online.

  Street or sidewalk: Berlin's bylaws bar placing any obstruction in a public way, and the town publishes no street permit for a dumpster that we found.

  Source: Berlin Fire Department, Dumpster Permit Application (OpenGov); General By-laws Art. VI s.1, checked Sep 29, 2026

• Bolton

  Driveway: Fire department permit only (no town permit found).

  Street or sidewalk: Needs permission from the Select Board, in writing.

  Source: Bolton Code Ch. 211 Art. I s.211-1, s.211-2, checked Sep 29, 2026

• Boxborough

  Driveway: Fire department permit only (no town permit found).

  Street or sidewalk: Needs permission from the Select Board, in writing.

  Source: Boxborough General Bylaws Art. 2-8, checked Sep 28, 2026

• Clinton

  Driveway: Fire department permit only, for a normal rental.

  Town rule: The Board of Health permits only permanent dumpsters, so a rental of up to 30 days needs no Board of Health permit.

  Street or sidewalk: Needs permission from the Department of Public Works, in writing.

  Source: Clinton BOH Solid Waste Disposal Regulations (2015); Administrative By-Laws Art. XVIII s.5, checked Sep 28, 2026

• Concord

  Driveway: Fire department permit only.

  Fire permit: The Fire Department issues it, and each dumpster location on a site needs its own permit.

  Street or sidewalk: Needs permission from Concord Public Works, through a right-of-way permit from the Engineering Division.

  Source: Concord Fire Department Dumpster Permit application (rev. 2/16), citing 527 CMR 1.00 s.1.12.8.5, checked Sep 29, 2026

• Framingham

  Driveway: Fire department permit, plus Board of Health permission if the dumpster sits within 25 feet of the street.

  Town rule: A dumpster within 25 feet of a public way needs written permission from the Board of Health.

  Street or sidewalk: Needs permission from the DPW Engineering and Transportation Division (an obstruction permit).

  Source: Framingham Code Ch. 458 s.458-1B; DPW Obstruction Permit, checked Sep 28, 2026

• Harvard

  Driveway: Fire department permit only.

  Street or sidewalk: Harvard publishes no street rule for a dumpster that we found, so ask the Department of Public Works first.

  Source: Harvard Fire Department dumpster permit, checked Sep 28, 2026

• Holliston

  Driveway: Fire department permit only (no town permit found).

  Street or sidewalk: Holliston publishes no street rule for a dumpster that we found, so ask the Department of Public Works first.

  Source: Holliston General By-laws (May 2026), Art. XVII and Art. XVIII: no dumpster rule, checked Sep 29, 2026

• Hopedale

  Driveway: Fire department permit + Board of Health permit.

  Town permit: A Board of Health permit is required for every temporary dumpster, private property included, and the dumpster must sit at least 15 feet from every lot line.

  Street or sidewalk: Hopedale publishes no street rule for a dumpster that we found, so ask the Highway Department first.

  Source: Hopedale BOH Dumpster Regulations (eff. 2026-01-01, rev. 2026-02-19), checked Sep 28, 2026

• Hopkinton

  Driveway: Fire department permit only.

  Street or sidewalk: Hopkinton's bylaws bar obstructing a street or sidewalk unless the Town authorizes it, so ask the Department of Public Works first.

  Source: Hopkinton Fire permit fee schedule: Dumpster Permit (over 6 yard capacity); Hopkinton General Bylaws s.174-7 (obstruction of streets and sidewalks), checked Sep 29, 2026

• Hudson

  Driveway: Fire department permit + Board of Health permit.

  Town permit: A Board of Health permit is required for every temporary dumpster, private property included.

  Street or sidewalk: Needs permission from the Director of Public Works.

  Source: Hudson Board of Health Reg. 10-1 s.6a; General By-Laws Art. VI s.20, checked Sep 28, 2026

• Lincoln

  Driveway: Fire department permit only (no town permit found).

  Street or sidewalk: Needs permission from the Select Board, in writing.

  Source: Lincoln General Bylaws s.3.B, checked Sep 28, 2026

• Littleton

  Driveway: Fire department permit only.

  Street or sidewalk: Needs permission from the Highway Department (a street opening permit).

  Source: Littleton Fire dumpster permit (MGL c.148 s.10A); Code SR7-2A, checked Sep 28, 2026

• Marlborough

  Driveway: Fire department permit only.

  Street or sidewalk: On a street it also needs a DPW obstruction permit.

  Source: Marlborough Fire Department Dumpster Permit (OpenGov); DPW Obstruction Permit, checked Sep 29, 2026

• Maynard

  Driveway: Fire department permit + Board of Health permit.

  Town permit: A Board of Health permit is required for every temporary dumpster, private property included, and each permit runs for up to 30 days.

  Street or sidewalk: Needs permission from the Board of Health, with notice to the Police Department.

  Source: Maynard Solid Waste Regulations (2026) s.12.2, checked Sep 28, 2026

• Mendon

  Driveway: Fire department permit + Board of Health permit.

  Town permit: A Board of Health permit is required for every temporary dumpster, private property included.

  Street or sidewalk: Mendon's rules also say the dumpster must sit on the property.

  Source: Mendon BOH Dumpster Regulations (amended 2026-02-11) s.H.2, checked Sep 29, 2026

• Milford

  Driveway: Fire department permit + Board of Health permit.

  Town permit: A Board of Health permit is required for every temporary dumpster, private property included, and the dumpster must sit at least 15 feet from every lot line.

  Street or sidewalk: Needs permission from the Select Board.

  Source: Milford BOH Dumpster Regulations s.E.1; Bylaws Art. 12 s.3, checked Sep 28, 2026

• Natick

  Driveway: Fire department permit + Board of Health permit.

  Town permit: A Board of Health permit is required for every temporary dumpster, private property included.

  Street or sidewalk: Needs permission from the Select Board (a permit to occupy a public way).

  Source: Natick BOH Ch. 16; Bylaws Art. 50 s.1, checked Sep 28, 2026

• Newton

  Driveway: Fire department permit only (no town permit found).

  Street or sidewalk: Needs permission from the Commissioner of Public Works (a street occupancy permit).

  Source: Newton Ord. s.26-17, checked Sep 28, 2026

• Northborough

  Driveway: Fire department permit only (no town permit found).

  Street or sidewalk: Needs permission from the Select Board for a town road, or MassDOT on a state highway.

  Source: Northborough Code Ch. 9-96 s.9-96-010, checked Sep 29, 2026

• Sherborn

  Driveway: Fire department permit only (no town permit found).

  Street or sidewalk: Needs permission from the Director of Public Works, in writing.

  Source: Sherborn Code s.205-2, checked Sep 28, 2026

• Southborough

  Driveway: Fire department permit only (no town permit found).

  Street or sidewalk: Needs permission from the Select Board or its designee, in writing.

  Source: Southborough Code Ch. 152 Art. I s.152-4, checked Sep 29, 2026

• Stow

  Driveway: Fire department permit only (no town permit found).

  Street or sidewalk: Needs permission from the Chief of Police if it would block traffic on a public way.

  Source: Stow General Bylaws Art. 6 s.13(b), checked Sep 28, 2026

• Sudbury

  Driveway: Fire department permit only (no town permit found).

  Street or sidewalk: Sudbury publishes no street rule for a dumpster that we found, so ask the Department of Public Works first.

  Source: Sudbury General Bylaws (eff. 2025-08-13), Ch. 237 and Ch. 256: no dumpster rule, checked Sep 29, 2026

• Upton

  Driveway: Fire department permit + Board of Health permit.

  Town permit: A Board of Health permit is required for every temporary dumpster, private property included, even for a short job.

  Street or sidewalk: Its rules also say a dumpster may not block a public way or sidewalk.

  Source: Upton BOH Dumpster Regulations s.2.J, checked Sep 28, 2026

• Waltham

  Driveway: Fire department permit only, for a normal rental.

  Town rule: The Health Department licenses only dumpsters kept longer than six months, so a normal rental needs no Health Department license.

  Street or sidewalk: Needs permission from the Director of Public Works.

  Source: Waltham Code Ch. 7 Art. III s.7-22, s.7-25, checked Sep 28, 2026

• Watertown

  Driveway: Fire department permit + Health Department permit + DPW permit with a bond. Call us before booking.

  Town permit: A Health Department permit is required for every temporary dumpster, private property included. Watertown's DPW also requires its own permit and a $10,000 bond for every dumpster, so call us before booking in Watertown.

  Street or sidewalk: The DPW requires every dumpster to sit in a driveway, clear of the sidewalk, and the Board of Health bars temporary dumpsters from public streets and private roads from November 1 to April 1.

  Source: Watertown DPW Permits FAQ (permit and bond for every dumpster); Watertown BOH Regulation Regarding the Use of Dumpsters and Waste Hauling (eff. 2024-07-01), checked Sep 29, 2026

• Wayland

  Driveway: Fire department permit only (no town permit found).

  Street or sidewalk: Wayland publishes no street rule for a dumpster that we found, so ask the Department of Public Works first.

  Source: Wayland Code Ch. 153 (Solid Waste) and Ch. 158 (Streets and Sidewalks): no dumpster rule, checked Sep 29, 2026

• Westborough

  Driveway: Fire department permit only (no town permit found).

  Street or sidewalk: Westborough's bylaws forbid placing waste, refuse or rubbish in any public way except where and as the Board of Health directs, so ask the Board of Health first.

  Source: Westborough General Bylaws Art. 22 s.2 (Refuse in Public Ways Prohibited), checked Sep 29, 2026

• Weston

  Driveway: Fire department permit + Board of Health permit.

  Town permit: A Board of Health permit is required for every temporary dumpster, private property included.

  Street or sidewalk: Needs permission from the Department of Public Works, through a street occupancy permit.

  Source: Weston Board of Health, Requirements for Construction Projects (Dumpster Permit), checked Sep 29, 2026

Dumpster permit questions

This guide is general information, not legal advice. Town rules change; the source link on each entry is the authority. See the FAQ for placement and what can go in the dumpster.