Royal Oak Township, MI Trash & Recycling: Dumpster Rules (2026)

Section 32-630 of the Charter Township of Royal Oak zoning chapter lets the planning commission permit or require dumpsters as an accessory to any use other than single- and two-family residential uses. Every dumpster then has to meet five standards.

Location: dumpsters belong in the side or rear yard, and none can extend closer to the front of the lot than any portion of the principal structure. A dumpster cannot encroach on a required parking area, must be clearly accessible to servicing vehicles, must meet the setback requirements for its zoning district, and must be located as far as practicable from any adjoining residential district.

Concrete pad: the dumpster sits on a concrete pad that extends a minimum of three feet in front of the dumpster enclosure.

Screening: the dumpster must be fully screened from view from adjoining property and public streets and thoroughfares. Three sides need a permanent building, decorative masonry wall, wood fencing, or earth mound not less than six feet high or at least six inches above the enclosed dumpster, whichever is taller. The fourth side needs an opaque locking gate the same height as the rest of the enclosure.

Bollards: concrete-filled metal posts or similar protective devices go at the opening of the dumpster to prevent damage to the screening wall or fence, and elsewhere as required to protect buildings, vehicles or landscaped areas.

Site plan: the location, design, and method of screening must be detailed on all site plans.

Two neighboring rules apply to waste handling. Section 22-26 bars commercial and manufacturing establishments from placing garbage outside between 3:00 p.m. on Friday, or any day before a legal holiday, and 6:00 a.m. of the next regular collection day. For residential property, § 8-196(a)(9) limits a temporary storage or portable on-demand storage (PODS) container to an impervious surface on private property for a maximum of 20 days within any six-month period, unless the Building Division grants an extension or waiver for fire or other casualty with proof.