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Huntsville, AL Trash & Recycling: Dumpster Rules (2026)

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

Governing section
City Code Sec. 22-87
Right-of-way placement
Prohibited
Pad requirement
Concrete or asphalt surface
First waste-outside-dumpster fine
$200-$500 or 10 days
Enforced by
HPD or Code Enforcement

Summary

Huntsville requires commercial dumpsters to sit on a paved surface, stay screened from adjacent property, and never block a city right-of-way.

It shall be unlawful for the dumpster owner and the person in charge of the premises to place or locate a dumpster... on any right-of-way or easement of the city... The person in charge of the premises shall provide a concrete or asphalt surface of sufficient dimension for the location and placement of the dumpster... It shall be unlawful for the person in charge of the premises to maintain a dumpster that is not screened so as not to be visible from the ground level of adjacent property.

View official code

Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 30 Update 2).

Full Breakdown

City Code Sec. 22-87 bars placing a dumpster on any city right-of-way or easement and requires the person in charge of the premises to provide a concrete or asphalt pad sized for the dumpster. Owners must keep it in good repair with tight-fitting lids, screen it from ground-level view on adjacent property, and keep a log of the premises contact and dumpster type available to the city on request. The Huntsville Police Department and Community Development Code Enforcement Section enforce it.

Violations & Fines

Letting garbage sit outside the dumpster carries its own escalating fine track: $200-$500 or up to 10 days jail on a first conviction in a 12-month period, $300-$500 or up to 30 days on a second, and a mandatory minimum 2 days in jail plus a $500+ fine on a third. Other subsections default to the general Sec. 1-7 penalty.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a business put its dumpster in the alley right-of-way?
No. Sec. 22-87(b) bars placing a dumpster on any city right-of-way or easement except one placed by the city or its contractor.
Does a Huntsville business need to screen its dumpster?
Yes. Sec. 22-87(g) requires it not be visible from ground level of adjacent property, unless the director of public works grants a hardship waiver.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Huntsville

Collection ScheduleSome RestrictionsBulk Item DisposalSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Street Parking LimitsSome RestrictionsAnimal Ordinances: Dog Leash LawsSome RestrictionsParking Rules: RV & Boat ParkingSome RestrictionsPickup Rules & SchedulesSome RestrictionsIllegal DumpingHeavy RestrictionsBin Placement RulesSome RestrictionsYard Waste CollectionSome RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Vehicle NoiseSome RestrictionsFence Regulations: Material RestrictionsSome RestrictionsAnimal Ordinances: Veterinary Clinic ZoningSome Restrictions

All Huntsville rules

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