Austin, TX Trash & Recycling: Dumpster Rules (2026)

Chapter 15-6, Article 3 governs the private haulers that service commercial premises and multifamily buildings Austin doesn't collect from directly, and Section 15-6-42 sets the operating rules for their equipment. Subsection (B) is the specific placement rule: a licensee may not place a mechanically-handled solid waste container on public property or a public right-of-way except with the director's approval or the execution of a license agreement with the city. That covers the roll-off boxes and front-load dumpsters construction sites and businesses set at the curb, not just containers stored on private lots.

Before a hauler can even operate, Section 15-6-51 requires a license from the Code Compliance director, renewed every December 31 and non-transferable, and Section 15-6-52 conditions that license on filing an annual State of Texas vehicle inspection, a semiannual tonnage report, and proof of insurance. Section 15-6-53 sets the insurance floor at $250,000 per person and $500,000 per occurrence for bodily injury, plus $100,000 in property damage, or $1,000,000 on a combined single limit, with 30 days' notice to the City before any cancellation. Once a dumpster or roll-off is in service anywhere in the city, Section 15-6-112(B) separately makes it an offense to let that container or its contents become foul, offensive, or hazardous to public health, regardless of whether it sits on public or private ground.