Lakewood, CO Trash & Recycling: Dumpster Rules (2026)

Section 8.14.028, in Chapter 8.14, "Garbage, Trash and Refuse Storage and Disposal," reads in full: "A no-charge public way permit must be obtained prior to the placement of a temporary roll-off dumpster in the public right-of-way. The applicant must comply with the terms set forth on the permit. Temporary roll-off dumpsters shall not be permitted in the public right-of-way for more than 30 days unless due cause for an extension of time can be demonstrated." The permit itself carries no fee, but every roll-off placed in the street, alley or parkway still needs one, and the 30-day clock only stops if the applicant shows "due cause" for more time.

That right-of-way rule sits alongside the general placement standard in Section 8.14.025: outside curbside pickup, all containers, including commercial dumpsters, "shall be placed on private property and shall not extend onto the public right-of-way," and any commercial dumpster kept on private property "shall be placed on an improved all-weather surface, such as gravel at least ¾-inch thick and three inches depth, hot mix asphalt or concrete paving," and must not obstruct the sight triangle. Section 8.14.020(E) separately forces a property into commercial dumpster service, after notice from the code enforcement supervisor, when a multifamily building of three or more units or a commercial or industrial property generates more than eight containers or bags, a bag over 50 pounds, or evidence of insects, rodents, spillage or dumping into a neighbor's dumpster.

Noncompliance runs through the abatement process in Sections 8.14.060 through 8.14.090: a written notice giving 72 hours to remove the violation, a right to demand a municipal court hearing within 72 hours of service, and, if the city ends up hauling the dumpster's contents itself, a lien against the property for the removal cost plus an inspection and administrative fee starting at $108.00, rising to as much as $352.00 for a second violation and $514.00 for a third within 24 months.