Murfreesboro, TN Trash & Recycling: Dumpster Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Applies to
- Commercial, multifamily, industrial sites
- Enclosure
- Fence or wall required
- Base
- Concrete pad and apron
- Single-family homes
- Automated cart system instead
Summary
Commercial, multifamily, industrial and institutional developments in Murfreesboro must screen dumpsters from view, enclose them in a fence or wall, and set them on a concrete pad.
In all commercial, multiple family, single-family attached townhouse, industrial, or institutional developments, dumpsters, compactors and major elements for solid waste management: shall be screened and buffered from view from the public right-of-way or adjoining properties; shall be enclosed within a fence or wall; shall be constructed with a concrete pad and apron to support service vehicles; and, shall be accessible to the intended users. (E) Conversion to condominium ownership. Properties being converted to condominium ownership shall be inspected by the fire and building inspector and shall be brought up to applicable standards or agreed to prior to the Planning Commission approving any plat of a conversion. A copy of the homeowner's association, by-laws of agreement shall be provided to the Planning Director for the purpose of ensuring its compliance with Horizontal Property Act of the State of Tennessee. (F) Mobile home or house trailer in mobile home district only. No mobile home or house trailer may be parked on any lot that fails to comply with the provisions established for mobile home parks in this article. (G)Site lighting. Exterior lighting is an essential part of the total design of all projects. Well conceived lighting can extend the use of outdoor areas, create a sense of well-being and add interest to the nighttime landscape.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 18 Update 1).
Full Breakdown
Section 18(D)(2) of the zoning ordinance requires dumpsters, compactors and other solid-waste equipment on commercial, multifamily, single-family-attached townhouse, industrial, and institutional sites to be screened and buffered from the public right-of-way and adjoining properties, fully enclosed within a fence or wall, and built on a concrete pad and apron strong enough to support service vehicles, while still staying accessible to users. Single-family and duplex homes are exempt: they use the city's automated cart collection system instead. Multifamily or attached-townhouse projects over fifteen units may instead apply for city-provided automated collection, which can waive the dumpster requirement if approved.
Violations & Fines
Site plans that don't screen or enclose required dumpsters can be rejected at Planning Director review, and an unscreened dumpster on an existing site is a zoning code violation subject to city enforcement.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do apartment complexes in Murfreesboro have to hide their dumpsters?
Can a dumpster just sit on gravel or grass?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Murfreesboro
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