Permit requirement
Allentown requires a dumpster permit for a dumpster placed on a street or sidewalk. The city's name for it is a temporary Encroachment permit. The Engineering office at the Department of Public Works issues it.
Dumpster permit rules in Allentown, PA
- Permit required
- Yes, on a street or sidewalk
- Issuing office
- Engineering, Department of Public Works
- Fee
- $35 or $55 a month, by size
- Time limit
- Not listed in this guide
- Application form
- City of Allentown Encroachment Application
- Phone
- Not listed in this guide
- Checked
- Nov 11, 2026
Permit fee
The fee is charged by the month. A dumpster or storage pod under 20 cubic yards costs $35 a month. A dumpster over 20 cubic yards costs $55 a month. The fee sheet lists no rate for exactly 20 cubic yards.
Time limit
No time limit is listed in this guide. The application has a line for the time period requested.
Application
The form is the Encroachment Application, marked as temporary. It asks for the address, the time period and the type of encroachment. It also asks for the name and phone number of the dumpster supplier.
The form has review lines for Engineering, Inspections, Traffic and the historic review board (HARB). A rejected request goes to the City Clerk for action by City Council.
Curbside pickup
City trash pickup takes one bulk item or 40 pounds of contained construction material. Either one is collected only on the second collection night of the week.
Sources
- City of Allentown engineering permits page
- City of Allentown engineering fee sheet
- City of Allentown Encroachment Application
Sources checked Nov 11, 2026. The town table lists all 21 towns.