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Dumpster permit in Harwich, MA

A green roll-off dumpster in the gravel driveway of a shingled Cape Cod house under renovation in Harwich

The street rule: Chapter 255

The bylaw reads, "No person shall obstruct or excavate any public or private way (excepting private driveways) without first obtaining a license therefor" The license is issued upon written application by the Director of Highways and Maintenance or the official in charge of the streets.

The same section lets the official require an indemnity bond and repair of any damage to the highway at the licensee's expense. The text does not name roll-off containers, and it lists no fee. Whether a dumpster at the curb counts as an obstruction is a question for the DPW: 273 Queen Anne Road, 508-430-7555.

Driveways, parking spaces and what goes inside

Chapter 255 excepts private driveways from its license requirement, and it is written about obstructing a way, not about the container. Another rule applies to parking areas: the zoning bylaw says "No parking area/space shall be used for disposal containers (dumpsters)" and wants a separate area beside the lot. It sits in the off-street parking article, written for sites that must provide parking, so ask the Building Department how it treats a house with a renovation under way.

What goes in is regulated too. Dumping rubbish on land that is not a licensed disposal area is barred, and fines run $100, $200 and $300 for a first, second and third violation. Hazardous waste has its own $300 fine.

When no container is the simpler answer

A roll-off is sized for a renovation or a whole-house clean-out. For one room, a deck's worth of lumber or a shed of rental-cottage leftovers, it costs a delivery, a rental period and a placement question.

JUNKRUN loads a trailer from the driveway and leaves: a quarter $209, a half $319, three-quarters $409, a full trailer $519, with a $159 minimum. No travel fee in any Harwich village. We do not place containers on streets, so a street license is not part of our job.

Who to call, in order, before a dumpster arrives

  1. Public Works (508-430-7555)

    Ask whether a container on a town street needs the Chapter 255 license and what the application is. DPW is at 273 Queen Anne Road.

  2. Building Department

    Ask how the zoning rule on dumpsters and parking spaces applies to your lot.

  3. Your hauler

    Confirm where it will set the container and who applies for any street license. The bylaw puts the obligation on 'any person' who obstructs a way.

  4. Keep the load legal

    Chapter 247 bars dumping rubbish except at a licensed disposal area. Mattresses are banned from disposal statewide.

  5. Skip the container

    For a small or medium load, text JUNKRUN a photo for a flat price.

Local resources in Harwich

Donation, reuse and recycling options near the pickup. We are not affiliated with these; confirm hours and what they accept before you go.

Quick answers

Do I need a permit for a dumpster in Harwich?

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We found no permit page on the town site. A license is needed to obstruct a public way other than a private driveway. Call the DPW at 508-430-7555.

Can I put a dumpster on my driveway in Harwich?

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Chapter 255 excepts private driveways from its license requirement. Ask the DPW and Building Department about any other rule.

Does the Harwich Transfer Station rent dumpsters?

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Its pages do not say so. It accepts construction debris on the C&D pad at $205 a ton.

What is the fine for illegal dumping in Harwich?

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$100 for a first violation, $200 for a second and $300 after that, under Chapter 247.

Sources

Rules, fees and hours change, so confirm with Harwich before you go.

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