Lehigh Dumpster

Lehigh County / population 127,138 (2024 est.)

City of Allentown: dumpster on the street

Allentown calls a dumpster on the street or sidewalk a temporary encroachment. The Engineering Bureau in the Department of Public Works handles it. The fee is charged by the month and depends on box size.

The rule, as written

  • Temporary encroachment for a dumpster or pod under 20 cubic yards: $35 per month.
  • Dumpster over 20 cubic yards: $55 per month.
  • A box of exactly 20 cubic yards: not confirmed yet. The fee sheet does not say which rate applies.
  • Application form cites Ordinance #13066 and has a line for dumpster or scaffolding details.
  • City trash pickup takes one bulk item or 40 pounds of bagged construction material, only on the second collection night. Larger loads fall outside the curbside limit.

Order of steps

  1. Know the box size. The fee sheet splits at 20 cubic yards.
  2. Fill in the Encroachment Application. Mark it temporary, give the address and the time period, and name the dumpster supplier.
  3. Send it to Engineering. The routing sheet on the form lists HARB (historic review), Engineering, Inspections and Traffic.
  4. The form ends with Approved and Rejected lines. A rejected request is sent to the City Clerk for City Council.

Where this comes from

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Need the box? Ask for prices from haulers who work in Allentown.