Chelsea, MA Trash & Recycling: Dumpster Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Permit required
- issued by dept. of municipal inspections
- Residential fill hours
- 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. only
- Commercial fill deadline
- 6:00 p.m. absent an extension
- Residential screening
- required for every dumpster
- Governing law
- Code of Ordinances §§ 22-111 to 22-115
Summary
Chelsea licenses dumpsters through the department of municipal inspections and the fire department, requiring screening in residential areas and barring filling between 11:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. on residential property, under Code of Ordinances §§ 22-111 through 22-115.
Each dumpster must be located at a distance from the lot line so as not to interfere with the safety, convenience or health of abutters and residents and the public, and not to damage the physical integrity of the curb and sidewalk. ... All dumpsters in residential areas shall be covered with a screen. ... No dumpster shall be filled between the hours of 11:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. in or upon residential property. All dumpsters on commercial property shall be filled prior to the close of the working day, but no later than 6:00 p.m., unless special circumstances are shown to the enforcing agencies, who then at their discretion, may grant an extension of time.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 26).
Full Breakdown
Article V of chapter 22 regulates dumpsters citywide. Section 22-111 designates the department of municipal inspections and the fire department as the enforcing agencies, and requires a temporary permit or annual license, issued by the department of municipal inspections, before a dumpster can be placed, with fees set by the director of municipal inspections subject to city manager approval and filed with the city clerk. Section 22-112 requires each dumpster to sit far enough from the lot line that it does not interfere with the safety, convenience or health of abutters, residents or the public, and does not damage the curb or sidewalk, with the exact location subject to approval by both the department of municipal inspections and the fire department.
Section 22-113 requires every dumpster in a residential area to be covered with a screen, and lets an enforcing agency require a fully enclosed or screened dumpster site when it decides that is necessary. , unless the enforcing agencies grant an extension for special circumstances; dumpsters must stay covered and secured at all times except while actually being filled. Section 22-115 requires each dumpster to be sized adequately for its use, bars overflowing, and lets the department of municipal inspections deny a license or permit if the size or capacity does not meet its requirements. 00 for a third, enforced by building inspectors, code enforcement inspectors, police officers and fire prevention personnel.
Violations & Fines
Operating a dumpster without the required permit or license, leaving a residential dumpster unscreened, filling a residential dumpster between 11:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m., or filling a commercial dumpster after 6:00 p.m. without an approved extension violates Article V. The dumpster-specific fine schedule under section 1-8 runs $50.00 for a first offense, $150.00 for a second and $300.00 for a third, enforced by building inspectors, code enforcement inspectors, police officers and fire prevention personnel.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit for a dumpster in Chelsea?
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Sources & Official References
Other rules in Chelsea
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