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Dumpster permit in Swampscott, MA

A green roll-off dumpster in the driveway of a shingled Swampscott house under renovation with a ladder against the wall

The permit and where to get it

The Health Department's trash and recycling handout on construction debris says you will require a Temporary Dumpster Permit, and applications can be obtained through the Health office. Temp permits last for 45 days and a $15 fee is required with application.

The office is in Swampscott Town Hall, 22 Monument Avenue, and the number is (781) 596-8864. The handout also says the office can provide a list of permitted waste contractors. Ask for that list before you book a rental company.

What the handout does not settle

The handout describes a roll-off delivered to your driveway. It does not say whether a dumpster on the street needs separate approval, how wide the street must be, or whether Public Works, Police or the Building Department weigh in. Those answers could not be found on the town pages. If your driveway is short or the house is on one of Swampscott's one-way or dead-end streets, ask the Health Department that question directly before paying a rental company.

A building permit for the work itself is a separate matter. The Building Department issues those: inspector office hours are Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., phone 781-596-8857. The handout says construction and demolition debris is banned from landfills and will not be picked up curbside.

When a dumpster is more than the job needs

A 45-day permit and a rental suit a gut renovation. A garage or basement clean-out, an estate or a few rooms of furniture rarely need one. The same handout names bag services such as the Bagster as another route for smaller loads.

JUNKRUN loads the trailer from inside the house in one visit, so there is no container to permit or to leave in the driveway: a quarter trailer is $209, a half $319, a three-quarter $409 and a full trailer $519. The price is flat, with a $159 minimum and no travel fee. Renovation debris such as drywall and lumber is priced by the load. Checked November 2026.

Before the dumpster arrives in Swampscott

  • Call the Health Department at 781-596-8864 and ask whether your placement (driveway or street) is covered.
  • Pick up the Temporary Dumpster Permit application at Town Hall, 22 Monument Avenue, and bring the $15 fee.
  • Ask the Health Office for its list of permitted waste contractors; book one from it.
  • Measure the driveway and check overhead wires and the stone wall at the apron.
  • Count the days: the permit runs 45, so schedule the pickup inside that window.
  • Keep mattresses out of the load; the state bans them from disposal (see the town mattress program).

Local resources in Swampscott

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 Swampscott?

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Yes. The Health Department issues a Temporary Dumpster Permit; apply at Town Hall.

How long does a Swampscott dumpster permit last?

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45 days, according to the Health Department's handout, with a $15 fee at application.

Who issues the dumpster permit?

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The Health Department, at 22 Monument Avenue, phone (781) 596-8864.

Can I put a dumpster on the street in Swampscott?

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The handout describes driveways only. Ask the Health Department whether street placement is allowed.

Sources

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

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