Dumpsters are sized in cubic yards. The common sizes are 10, 15, 20, 30 and 40. Some Lehigh Valley towns limit the width of a dumpster on the street or its distance from the curb.
| Size | Dumpsters.com | WM | Street permit fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 yard | 14 x 7.5 x 3.5 | 15 x 8 x 2 | Allentown $35 a month. Emmaus $100. |
| 15 yard | 16 x 7.5 x 4.5 | Not listed | Allentown $35 a month. Emmaus $100. |
| 20 yard | 22 x 7.5 x 4.5 | WM's page lists two different sizes | Allentown lists no rate for exactly 20. Emmaus $100. |
| 30 yard | 22 x 7.5 x 6 | 22 x 8 x 5 | Allentown $55 a month. Emmaus $125. |
| 40 yard | 22 x 7.5 x 8 | Not listed | Allentown $55 a month. Emmaus $125. |
Whitehall Township allows a dumpster no wider than 8 feet on the street. The dumpsters in the table are 7.5 to 8 feet wide.
Upper Macungie Township allows a dumpster to extend no more than 9 feet from the curb. Every size in the table is longer than 9 feet, so the long side runs along the curb.
Palmer and Upper Macungie require 15 feet between a dumpster and a fire hydrant.
Allentown and Emmaus charge a higher permit fee for a dumpster over 20 cubic yards.
Dumpsters.com states that its driver needs 60 feet of straight space and 23 to 25 feet of overhead clearance to place a dumpster. Outside dimensions differ by manufacturer. The volume in cubic yards stays the same.
Sources checked Nov 11, 2026. Town rules are sourced in the town table.
