Bethlehem requires city approval before a dumpster is placed on a street, sidewalk or alley. The dumpster permit is part of the city's Engineering Permit Application. The Director of Public Works gives final approval for anything placed on a city street.
The fee is not listed in this guide. It does not appear on the application form.
No time limit is listed in this guide. The application asks for the dates of use.
The form is the Engineering Permit Application from the Department of Public Works. It has a check box for Dumpster and another for Moving Pod. It asks for the dates of use, the insurance carrier and a sketch of the location.
A lane closure or an effect on parking needs approval from the Traffic Superintendent before traffic is affected.
The city code does not allow a trash container to be stored on a street, a private alley or a vacant lot.
A hauler in Bethlehem must hold a Pennsylvania Act 90 waste hauling license and a city Business Privilege License. Dumpsters must be tarped or covered whenever they are hauled through the city.
A dumpster at a business, an institution or a building with more than four apartments needs approval before use. The Director of Community and Economic Development gives that approval. The dumpster must meet the zoning and street rules, and the lid stays closed except during loading.
Fines under the trash article are $200 for a first violation, $500 for a second and $1,000 for a third or later one. Each day counts as a separate offense.
Sources checked Nov 11, 2026. The town table lists all 21 towns.
