Dumpster permits in the City of Charleston

A dumpster on a City of Charleston street, sidewalk, parkway or alley needs a dumpster permit before it goes down, and the City’s Department of Traffic and Transportation (T&T) issues all of them under City Code Sec. 19-493(a).⁠¹ Put the dumpster on your driveway or other private property and you usually need no permit.

The code’s dumpster is an approved metal container of 4 to 30 cubic yards used for construction debris, demolition debris or other discarded material, so our 15-yard dumpster is covered.⁠²

This page covers streets inside City of Charleston limits. Outside them, start with the Charleston County dumpster permit page. Not sure which side of the line you are on? Ask T&T Permits at 843-724-7378 before you apply.⁠³

Skip the permit

City code puts private property first: a dumpster may not be placed in the right-of-way if it can be placed on private property.⁠⁴

Driveway or other private-property placement usually needs no permit. You are responsible for clear access. The guide to putting a dumpster in your driveway covers setup.

Who issues it

T&T. It is the issuing authority for every City dumpster permit.⁠¹

You apply, not us. Street placement may require permits depending on city or county requirements. Customers are responsible for obtaining permits when required. RO RO Rentals does not apply for permits on your behalf.

The City application covers two parties: you, the applicant who leases the dumpster, and the dumpster owner. It needs all of this:⁠⁵

• Contact details for the applicant and for the dumpster owner
• A compliance statement signed by both
• Proof of a City business license, where applicable
• At least $1,000,000 of liability insurance naming the City of Charleston as additional insured
• An indemnity agreement

The owner’s details and signature are part of that list.⁠⁵ Call or text (843) 284-3707 before you apply. Ask T&T what insurance paperwork it will accept.

How to apply for a Charleston dumpster permit

1. Apply through the City’s Customer Service (CSS) portal under “Traffic & Transportation Street Blocking.” The City accepts applications only there.⁠⁶
2. Allow up to two weeks for processing.⁠⁶
3. Pay the invoice online, or in person at 180 Lockwood Dr. only.⁠⁶
4. The permit is issued by email once the fees are paid.⁠⁶

The code requires the permit before the dumpster goes on the street.⁠¹ Set the delivery date after the permit is in your inbox.

What it costs

The T&T fee schedule effective August 16, 2021 sets these for a dumpster in a non-metered parking space:⁠⁷

• Review fee: $18.50
• Inspection fee: $17.50 daily
• Dumpster fee: $10.00 per day

A metered space adds $18.00 per day per space.⁠⁷ In a non-metered space, the two daily fees come to $27.50 a day. Ask T&T for the exact total for your dates.

Rules once it is on the street

Under Sec. 19-494, a dumpster must:⁠⁴

• Sit on a firm, level surface, as close to the curb as possible
• Not block vehicle or pedestrian traffic, authorized parking, access to public easements or utility installations, or the view of right-of-way signs
• Stay free of posters, signs, stickers, drawings and graffiti

Sec. 19-494(c)(6) requires high-intensity retro-reflective sheeting at least 3 feet long and 2 inches wide along each side of the corner, or another retro-reflective or prismatic material T&T approves, plus any added warnings T&T requires.⁠⁸ Barricades with flashing lights go at each end of the dumpster at all times.⁠⁸ Plan the sheeting and barricades before you apply. Call (843) 284-3707 first.

Under Sec. 19-494(b), anyone moving a dumpster must secure its top with a tarp or other appropriate cover in transit, so no part of the load falls, sifts, blows or escapes.⁠⁹

The City files dumpster permits under street blocking.⁠⁶ Its notification guidelines ask holders of an approved street blocking permit to notify residents at least three days before the permit start date, and say major projects need notice to residents and businesses at least a week in advance.⁠¹⁰

Under Sec. 19-495, breaking the dumpster article can bring a fine of up to $500, up to 30 days in jail, or both, per offense.⁠¹¹ Each day counts as a separate offense.⁠¹¹ The dumpster owner, the rental company, is jointly and severally liable with the applicant.⁠¹¹

Daniel Island

• A dumpster in the street needs a City of Charleston T&T permit. The POA asks that the permit be shared with the POA and posted on the dumpster, and says City inspectors regularly check Daniel Island for permits.⁠¹²
• A May 9, 2025 POA notice says dumpsters in use must be kept in the driveway or the unit’s designated parking area, and should stay covered whenever they are not being used.⁠¹³
• The 2026 ARB Residential Demolition Application and Guidelines require the dumpster on the job site before demolition starts, securely covered at the end of the workday and over the weekend when not in use. A street dumpster needs the City T&T permit before it is left there, and the applicant must give the ARB a copy.⁠¹⁴

Ask the POA before you put a dumpster in a Daniel Island street. More on dumpster rental on Daniel Island.

Who to call

• City of Charleston T&T Permits: 843-724-7378, [email protected]. 180 Lockwood Blvd. Suite C, Charleston, SC 29403. Monday through Friday, 8:30am to 5pm.⁠³
• RO RO Rentals (the dumpster): call or text (843) 284-3707 before you apply.

Next step

Call or text (843) 284-3707 with the address and where you want the dumpster. Driveway or street, say which. $499 flat covers a 15-yard dumpster with 7 days and up to 2 tons. Or request a quote online.

Veteran-owned and operated. CAGE 193Y7. SAM UEI WDR4NMF8JJF1. Our yard is at 105 Barrington Blvd, Goose Creek, and we run dumpsters across Charleston, Berkeley, and Dorchester counties.