Chicopee, MA Trash & Recycling: Dumpster Rules (2026)

Section 169-5(D) of the Chicopee Code governs placement. Semipermanent garbage and rubbish receptacles, such as dumpsters, cannot be located between the principal building and the street line or closer than six feet to any building used as a dwelling unit. Only dwellings with five or more dwelling units can have one. It must be kept closed at all times when not in use and built to stand secure from entry by children and animals. Dwellings with four units or fewer are instead placed in the mandatory recycling program under Chapter 223.

Temporary dumpsters on residential property are allowed for a total of eight weeks and only for household demolition and construction debris. The property owner must secure approval from the Health Department first. A temporary dumpster on City property needs a permit from the Department of Public Works, and any such dumpster must have working flashing lights on both sides at night. Section 160-8 also lists a miscellaneous fire department permit fee of $25 covering items such as cutting and welding and dumpsters.

Hours: § 200-5 prohibits dropoff, pickup, emptying and removal of trash container dumpsters within 1,000 feet of any residential zone between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. Section 200-6 makes the Chicopee Police Department, Building Department and Health Department the enforcers.

Service limits: under § 169-4 City sanitation service does not extend to commercial, industrial and business properties, except those receiving curbside service as of July 1, 2016 and not opting out, and it does not cover removal of material accumulated from building, remodeling or demolition. Dumping rubbish on City property is forbidden under § 169-8.