Boulder, CO Trash & Recycling: Dumpster Rules (2026)

C. 1981 § 8-5-11, part of Chapter 8-5 governing work in the public right-of-way, no person may maintain a construction site such that "trash dumpsters, materials, storage trailers or construction trailers shall not be placed in the right-of-way unless approved with the right-of-way permit" (§ 8-5-11(f)(3)). That right-of-way permit is itself required by § 8-5-3, which bars any work in the right-of-way or a public easement "without first obtaining a permit from the city," subject to narrow exemptions in § 8-5-17. scaffolding or covered walkways" for a single private project pays the base right-of-way permit fee plus $94 (cranes are $250).

The section conditions approval on the applicant demonstrating that "placement of the temporary construction equipment or materials outside of the right of way is not feasible," and caps the permit at the more restrictive of the authorized time frame or thirty days; once that period lapses the equipment must be removed or a new, separately-fee'd permit obtained for up to another thirty days. Section 8-5-11 also requires the site to keep trash and construction materials contained so nothing blows off site, and to remove trash often enough that it never becomes a health, fire, or safety hazard.

Work performed under a right-of-way permit, including any accompanying dumpster placement, is confined to the location and dimensions the city approved; unpermitted or noncompliant placement puts the permit itself at risk under § 8-5-18.