A roll-off dumpster on your own driveway or private lot needs no street permit. One on a street, a sidewalk, a parkway or an alley sits in the public right-of-way, and that needs approval from whoever owns that space. In the Los Angeles area that is not one office: the City of Los Angeles, LA County and each separate city run their own process. This guide sets out what each one publishes, so you know what to ask when you look into a dumpster permit in Los Angeles.
Dumpsters Los Angeles is an independent referral site, not a dumpster company. When you call or send the form, the site’s operator passes your request to an independent roll-off provider serving your part of Los Angeles or LA County, which quotes, delivers and hauls the container.
Ask the provider first
Many roll-off providers apply for the permit as part of the job; some leave it to the customer. Ask who applies, what it costs and how it affects the drop date before you book.
City of Los Angeles
The City’s sidewalks, streets and alleys are its public right-of-way, and the Bureau of Street Services, known as StreetsLA, administers the permits for using them. StreetsLA’s Investigation and Enforcement Division reviews requests and pre-inspects the location. Other departments can be involved: the Bureau of Engineering where the project already has an A or B permit, and LADOT where a traffic control plan is required.
StreetsLA’s Building Materials Permit is the one it describes for construction projects on private property that “need to make use of public property (usually a sidewalk) in some way”. It is issued for a maximum of 60 days. StreetsLA does not publish a separate page for a residential roll-off bin, so ask the provider which permit it pulls for a bin on your street, or contact StreetsLA directly.
Unincorporated LA County
In unincorporated areas of the county, LA County Public Works handles bins in the road through a Road Encroachment Permit applied for online. The County states that only Los Angeles County approved vendors are allowed to place bins in the right-of-way. If you are not sure whether your address is in a city or in unincorporated county territory, check before you book.
Long Beach
Long Beach Public Works issues a Storage/Dumpster Bin Temporary Occupancy Permit, which the City says can “authorize placing a storage pod or dumpster bin on a parking lane for up to 90 days.” More on dumpster rental in Long Beach.
Burbank
Burbank Public Works issues Street Use Permits, which cover the temporary placement of roll-off bins. The City states that roll-off bin permits are valid for 14 days, and some street uses need a traffic control plan. More on dumpster rental in Burbank.
Pasadena
Pasadena’s Department of Public Works issues Public Right-of-Way permits for work on City streets and sidewalks. Ask the provider or Pasadena Public Works which conditions apply to a roll-off. More on dumpster rental in Pasadena.
Santa Clarita
In Santa Clarita, roll-off service runs through the City’s franchised haulers. Ask the provider whether it is one, and what applies if the container cannot go on your property. More on dumpster rental in Santa Clarita.
Making the street placement go smoothly
- Keep the container as close to the curb as possible and away from driveways, fire hydrants and marked curbs.
- Keep the permit at hand and follow its conditions, including any reflectors, cones or no-parking signs it requires.
- Leave sidewalks passable for people on foot and in wheelchairs.
- Agree the pickup date so the container does not outstay the permit.
A driveway placement avoids all of this. If your driveway can take the container and the truck, start there; the dumpster sizes guide explains how container size and space fit together, and roll off dumpster rental Los Angeles covers the rest of the rental.
Questions people ask
Do I need a permit to put a dumpster in my driveway in Los Angeles?
A container entirely on private property is not in the public right-of-way, so no street permit is involved. Private rules, such as an HOA’s, may still apply.
Who issues permits for using City of LA streets?
The Bureau of Street Services (StreetsLA) administers permits for the City’s public right-of-way, with other departments involved where needed.
How long can a dumpster stay on the street?
It depends on the city and the permit. Long Beach’s bin permit runs up to 90 days, Burbank’s roll-off permit is valid for 14 days, and StreetsLA’s Building Materials Permit is issued for up to 60 days.
Does the dumpster company get the permit?
Often, but not always. Ask the provider who applies and whether the cost is in the quote.