Berkeley, CA Trash & Recycling: Dumpster Rules (2026)

030 governs where garbage and waste containers, including commercial dumpsters and roll-off boxes, may sit on a property or in the street. Subsection A requires every property that produces garbage or rubbish to keep containers on-site in a location readily accessible to solid waste and environmental health personnel, sized and numbered to hold what accumulates between collections. Subsection C sets construction standards: containers other than bulk boxes must be metal or another impervious material with tight-fitting covers, kept leakproof, flytight and rodentproof, with handles able to bear a full container's weight.

The key placement restriction is subsection E: no garbage container or other waste container, other than one belonging to the City, may be placed, kept, stored or located within the right-of-way of a street or alley, unless the Public Works Department specifically authorizes that location for specified places and times because it is necessary for expeditious City collection. That means a commercial dumpster or construction roll-off cannot simply be dropped in a parking lane or alley; the hauler or property owner must first get Public Works sign-off for that curb or alley placement.

040, and any nonresidential tenant wanting independent garbage service from a private hauler needs the property owner's written agreement to guarantee payment under subsection A.