Coeur d'Alene, ID Trash & Recycling: Dumpster Rules (2026)

The dumpster rule sits in the design standards for the Neighborhood Commercial district, § 17.05.1070. Item D says trash areas must be completely enclosed by a structure constructed of materials similar to the principal building, and that dumpsters must have rubber lids. The section applies its whole list to all uses within an NC district, and the permitted uses in that district include retail, personal services, commercial and professional office, and medical/dental, so all of them face the same enclosure requirement. The text gives no enclosure height, gate or dimensions. The test is the printed one: completely enclosed, in materials similar to the principal building.

The same standards list carries site rules a dumpster location has to fit with. Surface parking should be located to the rear or to the side of the principal building (item C). Each use must plant one tree for every eight surface parking stalls, at least fifteen feet tall at planting (§ 17.05.1060), and nonresidential uses can be open for business only between 6:00 A.M. and 10:00 P.M. (§ 17.05.1080).

The Community Commercial district repeats the standard in § 17.05.1270(D): trash areas must be completely enclosed by a structure constructed of materials similar to the principal building, and dumpsters must have rubber lids. Commercial business parks use a different formula in § 17.07.710. Garbage and refuse containers shall be contained within buildings, or concealed by screening walls of materials similar to and compatible with that of the building. Outside screened storage areas must not project beyond the front face of the principal building on any site or into any required building setback area, and maneuvering spaces for vehicles using service areas shall be paved and maintained by the owner or park association.