Costa Mesa, CA Trash & Recycling: Dumpster Rules (2026)

Article 20, §§ 9-295 through 9-301, regulates renting dumpsters and other storage containers or devices to the public. Section 9-295 makes it unlawful for any person or business to rent or offer to rent a dumpster or storage device without first obtaining a permit from the director of public services. The application under § 9-296 must include a nonrefundable, council-set application fee plus a cleanup and repair deposit of not less than $300 nor more than $1,000, with the exact figure set by the director based on the size and number of devices the applicant owns and the applicant's track record for cleanup and damage.

Applicants must also carry Workers' Compensation coverage and public liability insurance of at least $1,000,000 combined single limits, naming the City of Costa Mesa and its officers and employees as additional insureds, with 30 days' notice before cancellation. Section 9-297 requires the application to list the owner's business address and phone number, the dimensions and count of every storage device size offered for rent, and the signature of an authorized officer or partner. Under § 9-298, a permit expires on the same date as the permittee's business tax registration certificate and renews with a new application and fee; the director can raise the deposit if the fleet grows or the cleanup record justifies it.

If a permittee fails to clean up or repair damage caused by placing, using or removing a storage device, § 9-299 lets the director deduct the cost from the deposit after notice and a chance to be heard, and bill the permittee directly for any shortfall as a debt to the city. Any business already renting storage containers when the article took effect had 60 days under § 9-300 to apply for a permit. Section 9-301 lets the director revoke a permit for violating the article or any related law, after mailed notice of the specific grounds and at least 10 days to respond or request a hearing; the revocation becomes final for appeal purposes once mailed or delivered.