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Permit
$50 base + $0.10/sq ft/day for first 500 sq ft + $…
Public right-of-way (street/curb)
Permit required
Yes (3 separate permits)
Cost
$50 base + $0.10/sq ft/day for first 500 sq ft + $0.05/sq ft/day for additional sq ft. Plus Site Cleanliness License $50/year via ISD. Metered space $20/meter/day. Sign $4 each.
Max days
Variable; renewals available
Authority
Public Works (street) + Inspectional Services + Fire Department
Portal
Online + 1010 Mass Ave
Processing
7-14 days
Special rules
$5,000 surety bond required for occupancy permits ($20K for excavation). Site Cleanliness License $50/year via Inspectional Services Dept (ISD) renewable annually. Apply via boston.gov. Residential dumpsters >24hrs require Boston Fire Dept Dumpster Placement Permit (≥3 cu yd).
Private property (driveway/yard)
Permit required
Site Cleanliness license required
Cost
$10 + $2/dumpster (commercial); $50-$1,000 for residential violations
Max days
Permit-dependent
Special rules
Beacon Hill requires Civic Association affidavit. Back Bay/North End streets need 60 ft straight-line, 23 ft vertical.
Prohibited items & penalties
State landfill bans
MA broad waste bans (310 CMR 19.017): Mattresses (Nov 2022), textiles (Nov 2022), food waste >0.5 ton/wk, lead-acid batteries, CRTs, whole tires, white goods, paper/cardboard/glass/metal/plastic, yard waste, asphalt/brick/concrete, treated/untreated wood, clean gypsum.
Common prohibited
All MA-banned items above PLUS hazardous waste, paints, oils, batteries, tires, electronics, refrigerants, asbestos, medical waste, fluorescent bulbs, propane
Max fine
$50-$1,000 for unpermitted dumpster
VERIFIED Apr 2026 against boston.gov/departments/public-works — verbatim match to fee schedule.
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