Little Rock, AR Trash & Recycling: Dumpster Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- City Code § 28-10
- Who must comply
- Commercial, industrial, institutional sites
- Hauler requirement
- Must contract with licensed hauler
- Container standard
- Watertight, covered, screened from view
Summary
Every commercial, industrial, and institutional site in Little Rock must contract with a licensed hauler and keep watertight, covered dumpsters on-site, screened from street view.
Each commercial, industrial and institutional establishment shall contract with any licensed hauler for the storage, collection and disposal of all solid waste. Each such establishment shall have on location storage containers of sufficient capacity to contain all solid waste between collection cycles. Containers shall be constructed of durable, nonabsorbent, noncombustible material with suitable watertight covers. Covers shall be kept closed except when containers are being loaded or emptied. All containers shall be maintained in a sanitary condition. Containers shall not be stored or maintained in such a manner as to institute a public nuisance, public health or safety hazard or environmental hazard. The containers shall be placed in such a manner as to minimize visibility from streets or pedestrian walkways.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 83).
Full Breakdown
City Code § 28-10 requires each commercial, industrial, and institutional establishment to contract with a licensed hauler for solid waste storage, collection, and disposal, and to keep on-site containers with enough capacity to hold waste between pickups. Containers must be durable, nonabsorbent, noncombustible, and watertight, with covers closed except when loading or emptying, and placed to minimize visibility from streets or pedestrian walkways. Businesses cannot use city-provided containers unless the city is their contracted collector.
Violations & Fines
Improperly stored, uncovered, or unscreened commercial containers can be cited as a public nuisance or health/safety hazard under § 28-10(a); dumping business waste in city-provided residential containers without city service violates § 28-10(b).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a business use the city's residential trash cans?
Do dumpsters need to be hidden from the street?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Little Rock
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