Dumpster Rental Guidelines

Published
April 25, 2021

Most people don't know what all is involved in renting a dumpster. It's actually very easy and convenient, but there are several guidelines you need to be aware of regarding roll off dumpster delivery and use. In this article, we will go over the four most important dumpster rental guidelines to keep in mind the next time you rent a roll off dumpster. We also made a short video on this very subject. You can check that out HERE.

1. Minimum Space Requirements

residential dumpster delivery in driveway

Most people don't realize that the roll off trucks that carry the dumpsters are very large. The newer style roll off trucks (often called "hook trucks") are very maneuverable and can get in and out of tighter spaces. However, they still need quite a bit of room to move. They need a minimum amount of distance in length width and height to be able to get the dumpster in and out of wherever the customer wants it placed. This means watching out for things like fences, gates, mailboxes, and electrical wires or lights up above. See the minimum requirements needed by a truck below.

  • 60 feet in length - from house or garage to the end of the driveway, for example
  • 60 feet in height - from the ground to any possible structure in the air that could be caught by the truck driving underneath it
  • 12 feet in width - side to side, like an alley, or a fenced in area

2. Weight Limit

All dumpster rentals have a weight limit associated with their price. Although all dumpsters are capable of carrying a lot of weight (up to 10 tons or more), the way it works with us at Trash Daddy Dumpster Rentals is we charge one affordable flat rate price that includes a certain weight. If your dumpster rental goes over that weight limit, then you just pay a little extra. However if you stay under that limit (and most people do), you just pay the one price - simple and easy! See the weight limits included with each size for us below (limits can vary by state).

3. Items That Cannot Go In A Dumpster

Dumpster rentals are great because you can dispose of so many things that would be difficult otherwise. Almost anything can go in a dumpster. However, there is a small list of things you cannot put in dumpster. We have the full list as well as other Frequently Asked Questions on our website, and we also have a page dedicated to prohibited items with details. See below which items cannot go in a dumpster.

  • Electronics like TVs, computers, radios, etc. - these need to go to specific recyclers. They cannot go to the landfill.
  • Refrigerators, air conditioners or other appliances with chemicals like Freon in them
  • Tires
  • Paint cans, household cleaners, adhesives, or any other chemicals
  • Oil and gasoline
  • Contaminated dirt

4. Don't Overfill The Dumpster

Every dumpster has a "fill line", which is typically a few inches under the top. In most areas, in order for the dumpster to be hauled legally, it must be covered so that the trash doesn't spill out on the road. If it is over-flowing (like the image here), not only can it not be covered, but this trash will certainly spill out if it were to be hauled on the road. If you overfill the dumpster, there is a good chance the driver will not haul the load until you remove some items, and if the driver has to leave and come back, it can result in extra charges often called a "dry run fee".

overloaded dumpster

Dumpster Rental Guidelines Conclusion

These are four basic dumpster rental guidelines that apply to any area of the country. At Trash Daddy Dumpsters, we have the most experienced team in the dumpster rental industry, and we always want to help our customers by providing them the information that can not only save them money but make their dumpster rental experience smooth and easy. If you follow these guidelines when you rent a dumpster, you won't have any issues. Reach out to us anytime if you have any questions.