Reading, PA Trash & Recycling: Dumpster Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Large dumpster (3+ cu yd)
- No sidewalk placement
- Small dumpster (≤3 cu yd)
- No street placement
- Permitting office
- Solid Waste Division
- ID marking height
- 3 inches minimum
Summary
Reading requires a Solid Waste Division permit for any permanent dumpster and bars large roll-offs from sidewalks and small dumpsters from streets, with mandatory screening from public view.
Permanent dumpster, cart, toter, or trash receptacles shall not be located in public right-of-way, or areas visible from public right-of-way, unless permitted by the Solid Waste Division. The property owner or lessee shall make application for permanent dumpsters through the Solid Waste Division... (1) Dumpsters of three cubic yards or greater may not be placed on sidewalk. (2) Dumpsters of three cubic yards or less may not be placed in the street.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-8: Current through August 10, 2026).
Full Breakdown
Chapter 496 treats permanent dumpsters as a right-of-way use that needs City sign-off, not something a business can just drop at the curb. Property owners must apply through the Solid Waste Division, and dumpsters placed where visible from the right-of-way need a zoning permit and site plan showing screening under § 600-916. The chapter also draws a hard size line: dumpsters of three cubic yards or more cannot go on the sidewalk, and dumpsters of three cubic yards or less cannot go in the street. Every dumpster, permanent or temporary, must display the owner's name, phone number and permit number in letters at least three inches tall, plus DOT reflective tape on its corners.
Violations & Fines
Placing a dumpster without the required Solid Waste Division permit, or violating the sidewalk/street size restrictions, draws a fine of $100-$1,000 per day and may lead to impoundment of the dumpster at the owner's cost.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit for a permanent dumpster in Reading?
Can a large roll-off dumpster sit on the sidewalk in Reading?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Reading
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