Dumpster Rental in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Philadelphia Rental Costs, RFID Permits & Licenses
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Get transparent Philadelphia dumpster pricing information with full permit cost breakdowns. We help you understand all costs before you rent.
Philadelphia Dumpster Rental Costs
| Container Size | Price Range | Average Cost | Weight Limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 Yard | $435-$703 | ~$569 | 2-3 tons |
| 20 Yard | $485-$771 | ~$628 | 3-4 tons |
| 30 Yard | $600-$1009 | ~$805 | 4-5 tons |
| 40 Yard | $766-$1009 | ~$888 | 5-6 tons |
Pricing Note: Costs shown are estimates based on 2025 market research and may not reflect current rates. Dumpster rental prices vary by provider, season, location, and specific project requirements. Contact local companies for accurate quotes.
Additional Costs to Consider
- Weight Overages: $90-115 per ton beyond included limits
- Distance Charges: $45-$90 for suburbs, $90-$180 for outer metro
- Rental Extensions: $20-25 per day beyond standard 7-day period
- Prohibited Items: $48 mattresses, $45 tires, $58-158 hazardous materials
- Peak Season Premium: 8%-18% increase during busy season
Included in Base Price
- ✓ Delivery and pickup
- ✓ 3-14 day rental period (varies by provider)
- ✓ 3-5 tons weight allowance
- ✓ Standard debris disposal
- ✓ Basic waste hauling
Additional Costs
- • Street permit: $80+
- • Distance charges: $45-180 (outer counties)
- • Extension fees: $20-50 per day
- • Overweight charges: $90-100 per extra ton
- • Trip/failure fees: $200-350
Note: Philadelphia pricing varies dramatically by provider tier and distance. Budget operators start at $435 but may include shorter rental periods and distance charges. Premium providers reaching $1009 include comprehensive service packages and extended rental periods.
Complete Cost Scenarios
Scenario 1: Kitchen Renovation (Private Driveway)
Scenario 2: Bathroom Renovation (Street Placement)
Scenario 3: Extended Construction (30 Days)
Philadelphia Permit Application Process
Obtain Prerequisites
You need three things first. Get a Commercial Activity License. Register your Waste & Recycling Plan with the Streets Department. Make sure you're current on all city taxes.
Select License Type
Choose from three options. Private Property costs $80-150 and lasts forever. Public Right-of-Way costs $200-500 each year. Construction Fleet costs $75 per 3 units.
Apply via eCLIPSE
Submit your application online at eclipse.phila.gov. Include site plans and documents. Online applications take 5 business days. In-person applications are processed the same day.
Pay and Receive RFID
Pay your license fees online. Credit cards have a 2.10% surcharge. You'll receive an RFID medallion. You must attach this medallion to your dumpster.
Maintain Compliance
Follow all service rules. No service between 9PM and 7AM. Clean your dumpster on schedule. Keep your RFID medallion working.
Quick Philadelphia Permit Facts
Permit Requirements
Service Restrictions
Philadelphia Market Insights
Rowhouse Architecture Challenges
Most Philadelphia homes are rowhouses. In fact, 70% of the city's housing consists of rowhouses. Many streets are less than 15 feet wide. This creates delivery challenges. Expect to pay 10-20% extra for narrow street placements. You may also pay $100-125 for traffic coordination. Some companies offer specialized 1.5-yard "job carts" for tight spaces. Others provide daily debris cycling services.
Center City Restrictions
Core Center City has strict rules. The city prohibits new dumpster licenses in this area. The only exception is if your location had permits before September 2016. Historic districts like Old City and Society Hill have extra requirements. You need approval from the Philadelphia Historic Commission. This adds time and complexity.
RFID Enforcement Technology
Philadelphia's RFID system is mandatory. It's unique among major cities. The city uses handheld readers for automated enforcement. The city also has 470 surveillance cameras. Together, these systems collected $3 million in fines in 2024. The city gives no warnings. Violations result in immediate fines.
Construction Boom Impact
Fishtown and Northern Liberties are booming. Right now, 1,646 apartment units are under construction. This creates high demand for dumpsters. Peak season runs from April to October. During this time, prices rise 15-25%. You should book 2-3 weeks ahead for 20-30 yard containers.
Winter Advantages
Winter offers better deals. From November to February, pricing drops 10-15%. Availability is also better. This is ideal for interior renovations. Watch out for snow accumulation. Snow adds weight to your dumpster. This can trigger overage fees of $95-135 per ton. University City follows academic calendars. Expect spikes in May and August for move-outs.
Multi-Tier Market Structure
The market has three tiers. Budget providers charge $299-500. Mid-market companies charge $435-680. Premium providers charge $680-1,009 or more. Premium providers charge 20-35% more than budget options. You get same-day delivery. They offer regulatory compliance help. They also have specialized logistics for challenging rowhouse placements.
Philadelphia Permit Contacts
Department of Licenses and Inspections (L&I)
Address: 1401 JFK Boulevard, Room 1160
Phone: (215) 686-8686 or 311
Portal: eclipse.phila.gov
Hours: M-F 8:00AM-3:30PM
Streets Department: (215) 686-5500
SWEEP Violations: (215) 685-4275
Appointments: Required for in-person
In-person processing: While you wait
You need Streets Department approval for public right-of-way permits.
Pro Tips for Philadelphia Rentals
Plan Prerequisites
Get your Commercial Activity License first. Register your Waste Plan before applying. These requirements add 1-2 days for first-time applicants.
Choose Lifetime Permits
Private property licenses never expire. They cost $80-150 one time. This is much cheaper than annual public right-of-way permits at $200-500 per year.
Protect RFID Medallion
Operating without a medallion brings immediate fines. A lost medallion costs $75 to replace. A damaged medallion costs $25. You must bring the damaged unit.
Book Winter for Savings
November through February offers 10-15% lower prices. Availability is better too. This is ideal for interior projects. Cover containers to prevent snow weight overages.
Understand Service Hours
No service is allowed from 9PM to 7AM citywide. General waste needs weekly pickup minimum. Garbage needs twice weekly pickup. Clean and sanitize every 6 months minimum.
Use eCLIPSE System
Apply online via eCLIPSE. Processing takes 5 days. In-person applications at 1401 JFK Blvd are processed while you wait. You need an appointment.
Philadelphia Dumpster Rental Companies
Tri-State Waste & Recycling
Phone: (215) 288-8797
Email: info@tswaste.com
Website: tswaste.com
Service Areas: Philadelphia County & surrounding areas
Specialties: Family-owned, transparent pricing, permit assistance
Accurate Recycling
Phone: (610) 623-7772
Website: accuraterecycling.com
Experience: 4 generations of service
Service Areas: Philadelphia region
Specialties: Same-day rental, flexible scheduling, RFID compliance
Hart Dumpster Rentals
Website: hartandsonwaste.com
Container Sizes: 10, 15, 20-yard options
Service Areas: Every zip code in Philadelphia
Specialties: Rowhouse placement, tight alley navigation
Hippo Philly Dumpster Rental
Phone: (215) 888-2203
Website: philadelphia.hippodumpsters.com
Service Areas: Philadelphia plus 30+ suburbs
Coverage: Ardmore, Conshohocken, Media, Chester
Note: Contact companies directly for current pricing and availability. Make sure they understand Philadelphia's RFID medallion requirements and license types.
Philadelphia Area Coverage
Center City/South
- Center City
- Rittenhouse Square
- Society Hill
- Queen Village
- Bella Vista
- South Philadelphia
- Passyunk
- Point Breeze
North Philadelphia
- Northern Liberties
- Fishtown
- Kensington
- Frankford
- Germantown
- Mount Airy
- Chestnut Hill
- Olney
West Philadelphia
- University City
- Powelton Village
- Mantua
- West Oak Lane
- Overbrook
- Wynnefield
- Cobbs Creek
- Southwest Philly
Northwest/Suburbs
- Manayunk
- Roxborough
- East Falls
- Fairmount
- Conshohocken
- Ardmore
- Media
- Chester
Also serving: Also serving: Camden, NJ; Wilmington, DE; Montgomery County, Delaware County, Chester County, and all of Greater Philadelphia
Frequently Asked Questions
Get answers to common questions about dumpster rental in Philadelphia.
Permits & Regulations
Philadelphia-Specific Challenges
Local Providers & Market Dynamics
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