Dumpster permits in Isle of Palms

On your driveway or other private property in Isle of Palms, a dumpster usually needs no permit. On a public street or sidewalk, you need the City’s consent first: City Code Sec. 3-1-1 makes it unlawful to obstruct any public street, sidewalk or other public place for any purpose without City consent.⁠¹ Call the City’s Public Services Department at (843) 886-8956 and ask who signs off.⁠²

The code says consent, not permit. “Any purpose” is broad. Treat a dumpster in the street as an obstruction and get the yes before delivery.

Street placement may need a permit. When one is required, you get it. We do not apply for permits on your behalf.

Skip the permit

Private property is the clean way out. Driveway, yard, lot. A dumpster there usually needs no permit.

Two checks. If your home is in a community with an HOA or POA, read its rules before delivery. And pick a spot the truck can reach to drop and lift. The dumpster in your driveway guide covers the setup.

Not sure the pile fits in a 15-yard? Text a photo of it to (843) 284-3707.

Who issues an Isle of Palms dumpster permit

Who owns the road decides who you ask.

• City street, sidewalk or public place. City of Isle of Palms. Sec. 3-1-1 requires City consent before you obstruct it, and Sec. 3-1-2 requires removal within the time the City allows.⁠¹
• State-maintained road. SCDOT. Its encroachment permit covers work in SCDOT-maintained right-of-way.⁠³ Sec. 3-1-1 says any public street, so ask the City too. The SCDOT state road dumpster permit page walks through the state side.

To check a road, SCDOT points people to its free Street Finder at ris.scdot.org, or to its Customer Service Center at 1-855-GO-SCDOT, Monday through Friday, 8:30am to 5:00pm.⁠⁴ In SCDOT’s secondary road numbers, Charleston County is 10, so a route marked S-10-xxx is a state secondary road in Charleston County.⁠⁵

For building materials, Sec. 3-1-4 requires consent from the Director of Public Works before they go on any street.⁠⁶ It does not say whether a roll-off counts as building materials. Ask Public Services who signs off on a dumpster.

The City also has a street encroachment permit. It is filed with the Building Official and required to construct improvements or perform excavation on any City or County right-of-way (Sec. 3-1-60, 3-1-61).⁠⁷ As written, that is building and digging. Ask the City whether a dumpster falls under it before you file anything.

How to apply

You apply, not us. For a City street:

1. Call Public Services first. (843) 886-8956.⁠² Ask who gives consent for a dumpster on your street, what it costs, and how long it takes.
2. Know your spot and your dates. For building materials, Sec. 3-1-4 has the applicant say how much space is needed and for how long.⁠⁶ Have both ready. Measure the spot. Know the drop and pickup days.
3. Get the conditions. Under Sec. 3-1-4, the Director may set conditions.⁠⁶ Write them down before delivery and follow them.
4. Book delivery after the yes. Not before.

On a state road, SCDOT strongly encourages a preliminary meeting with County or District staff before you apply online through EPPS Next.⁠⁸ Get the City’s answer too.

What it costs

• City street consent: no verified fee. We have not verified a City fee for consent under Sec. 3-1-1 or 3-1-4. Ask Public Services.
• City encroachment permit: $250 for a private driveway encroachment. The only fee in Art. E, the build-or-dig permit above, is a $250 nonrefundable application fee for private driveway encroachment permits.⁠⁷ A dumpster on your own driveway is not building or digging.
• SCDOT: no fee. SCDOT charges no fee for its encroachment permit or for its online processing system.⁠³

Our side: $499 flat for a 15-yard roll-off. That covers delivery, 7 days, up to 2 tons (4,000 lbs) of disposal, and pickup. Over 2 tons, it is $85 per ton, billed off the certified landfill scale ticket. Extra day: $10 per day, under the rental extension policy. Additional haul: $300.

Rules once it is on the street

City rules first.

• Consent before it lands. No obstructing a public street, sidewalk or other public place without City consent.⁠¹
• Out on time. Sec. 3-1-2 requires removal within the time the City allows.⁠¹ If that window is shorter than our 7 days, the City’s window wins. Tell us the City’s deadline when you book.
• Conditions stick. For building materials on a street, the Director of Public Works may set conditions.⁠⁶ Whatever the City sets, follow it.

State law adds one line. SC Code § 57-7-210 makes it unlawful to willfully place obstructions on any highway, and defines highway to include the whole right-of-way, including shoulders and parking areas. Violations carry a fine of up to $100 per day, up to 30 days in jail, or both. The statute does not mention dumpsters or permits.⁠⁹

Our rules ride along. Debris no higher than the top rail. Heavy materials may require reduced fill levels. All loads are weighed at the disposal facility and billed by certified scale weight.

No hazardous waste. No liquids, oils, fuels, chemicals or solvents. No liquid or partially liquid paints, stains or sealants. No asbestos, medical or biohazard waste. No propane tanks, aerosols or gas cylinders. No tires, batteries or automotive fluids. No refrigerators, freezers or appliances with refrigerants. No electronics unless we approve them first. Restricted materials need approval before delivery. The full list is in the prohibited and restricted materials policy. Prohibited material can get a load refused, and you pay cleanup and special disposal.

Who to call

• City of Isle of Palms Public Services Department: 1303 Palm Boulevard (PO Drawer 508), Isle of Palms, SC 29451, (843) 886-8956.⁠²
• SCDOT Charleston Maintenance (state roads): (843) 740-1655, 2401 Maintenance Way, North Charleston, SC 29406.⁠¹⁰
• SCDOT EPPS help: 855-GO-SCDOT (855-467-2368) or 803-737-1200, Monday to Friday 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM.⁠⁸
• RO RO Rentals (the dumpster): call or text (843) 284-3707. Monday to Friday 6am to 5pm, Saturday 7am to 12pm.

Next step

Call or text (843) 284-3707 with the address, what you are tossing, and the day you need it. Say driveway or street. Or request a quote online. More on the island is on the Isle of Palms dumpster rental page.

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.