Burlington, WI Trash & Recycling: Dumpster Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Permitting agency
- Department of Public Works (DPW)
- Winter placement
- Barred November 15 to March 15
- Off-season limit
- 3 continuous calendar weeks max
- Insurance
- Certificate required before permit issues
- Unpermitted placement penalty
- Double the normal permit fee
- Emergency winter exception
- Up to 3 weeks, revocable on 48 hrs notice
Summary
Placing a dumpster, roll-off container, or construction vehicle in a Burlington street or right-of-way requires a Department of Public Works permit under City Code § 274-15. Seasonal placement is barred outright from November 15 through March 15, and limited to three continuous weeks the rest of the year.
No person may place a dumpster, container or similar removable storage container, or any construction vehicle, on or in the public right-of-way without a permit from the Department of Public Works (DPW); or allow a dumpster, container or similar removable storage container, or a construction vehicle, to remain on or in the public right-of-way between November 15 and March 15. No person may allow a dumpster, container or similar removable storage container, or a construction vehicle, to remain on or in the public right-of-way for a period longer than three continuous calendar weeks between March 16 and November 14. ... No person may obtain a right-of-way permit without providing a certificate of insurance to the City indemnifying the City and holding the City harmless from any and all liability for placement of the dumpster or construction vehicle. ... Emergency placement permits may be revoked due to weather conditions and snowplowing operations with forty-eight-our notice to the permittee.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4997580; v29 updated 2026-07-07; through 07-07-2026).
Full Breakdown
City Code § 274-15C, part of the Right-of-Way Management article administered by the Department of Public Works (DPW) under § 274-14, bars anyone from placing a dumpster, container, similar removable storage container, or construction vehicle on or in a public right-of-way without a DPW permit. The same subsection flatly prohibits letting a dumpster, container, or construction vehicle remain in the right-of-way between November 15 and March 15, and during the rest of the year, March 16 through November 14, caps placement at three continuous calendar weeks.
Only rubber-tired construction vehicles are allowed. Before DPW will issue the permit, the applicant must furnish a certificate of insurance indemnifying and holding the City harmless for the placement. The DPW can make a narrow winter exception: where an applicant shows emergency circumstances, the City may permit placement between November 15 and March 15 for up to three continuous calendar weeks, weather and circumstances permitting, but that emergency placement permit can be revoked on 48 hours' notice for weather conditions or snowplowing operations (§ 274-15C, added by Ord.
No. 1764(16), effective March 1, 2005). The permit fee for dumpster or construction vehicle placement in the right-of-way is set by the Common Council under § 274-20C. DPW may also deny, revoke, suspend, or refuse to extend any right-of-way permit for grounds listed in § 274-24, including noncompliance with the article, misrepresentation of facts, failure to maintain the required insurance, or interference with safe travel over the right-of-way.
Violations & Fines
Placing or leaving a dumpster or roll-off in the right-of-way without the required DPW permit is treated as work done without a permit under § 274-25B: the responsible party must still obtain the permit after the fact and pay double the normal permit fee, double all other fees required under the article or other City Code chapters, and deposit the funds DPW needs to correct any right-of-way damage. DPW can also deny, revoke, or refuse to extend the permit under § 274-24 for noncompliance or for interfering with safe travel over the right-of-way.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I put a roll-off dumpster in the street in front of my Burlington house?
Is there a season when dumpsters cannot sit in the right-of-way in Burlington?
What happens if I place a dumpster in the right-of-way without a permit?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Burlington
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