Skip bins – or dumpsters in US and Canadian English – are basically waste containers built out of certain materials and to a certain size so they can hold specific materials. People can select different skip bin sizes depending on the type of waste they’re planning to throw away and the amount of it. Some people hire or rent skip bins from a licensed contractor or company. These are typically given for a certain time period – anywhere between a few hours to a few months.
One doesn’t typically need to secure a permit when hiring or renting a skip. In some cities, however, the laws are very strict and very specific when it comes to waste disposal and management. Seeing as skip bins fall under that category, permits, receipts, and other documents might be required by the city council before you can legally obtain your skip bin. A permit isn’t usually required if the bin is placed on private property. On the other hand, publicly accessible areas – like a road, sidewalk, back alley, footpath, or nature lane – have certain health restrictions, thus requiring a permit issued by the proper council.
WHO CAN OBTAIN A PERMIT
This generally varies from state to state, but generally speaking for Melbourne, permits can only be issued to licensed and/or accredited contractors. Skip hire companies like us!! – http://ezyskips.com.au/ are ultimately responsible for the skip bin placement on city land. Therefore, securing a permit for their skip bins is mandatory. Business and homeowners looking to obtain an individual permit would be better off contacting accredited companies to hire a skip bin or to obtain a permit of their own. If the skip bin will be placed on private property – as mentioned above – a permit isn’t required.
HOW LONG DO I HAVE TO WAIT BEFORE I GET MY PERMIT?
While the answer again depends on different states – and will, therefore, vary – an application for a permit (whether submitted online or in person) can take up to 2 or 3 business days to be considered. Submitting online or in person does not directly affect the waiting period.
HOW LONG IS A PERMIT VALID?
A skip bin permit is typically valid for seven (7) working business days. This number is subject to change according to conditions, special permissions, and considerations granted by the city council.
HOW MUCH DOES A PERMIT USUALLY COST?
When you apply for a skip bin permit, you’ll be asked to pay by cash or credit card – although credit card is preferred – and immediately issued a receipt upon payment. Again, the costs can vary per state and according to conditions or parameters set. Below are the standard charges:
Standard Application Fee: $25.50
Additional Charges:
Permit Fee (per day): $17.50
Permit Fee (per week): $84.50
WHAT OTHER PERMIT CONDITIONS DO I NEED TO BE AWARE OF?
Getting a permit for a skip bin isn’t exactly complicated, but it can be pretty intimidating for first-timers. Here are a few things you should keep in mind when contemplating whether or not obtaining a permit is worth the effort.
When to obtain a permit:
- Before placing a skip bin or “bulk rubbish container” in publicly accessible areas (i.e., road, sidewalk, open park, pathways, community centers, etc.), you must have a Skip Bin Permit within possession.
Location legalities:
- If the skip bin is for public use, make sure to place it in areas that comply with city council requirements and guidelines for waste bin placement and waste disposal.
- If the skip bin is for public use, it cannot obstruct transportation or passage for pedestrians, cyclists, motorists, and other vehicle drivers. That said, it cannot be placed on walkways, cannot take up the width of a sidewalk, cannot obstruct an open-ended alley, and other similar cases.
- If the skip bin is for public use, it must be placed within the immediate surrounding area of the site it’s meant to service. Public lots and buildings are often given an absolute perimeter. As long as the skip bin hired or rented for the structure is within the perimeter, it’s within its legal location.
What to Remember When Applying for Permit:
- Regular house-and-lot deals don’t normally have the space to house a regular- to maxi skip (anything above 12 Yard or 12 cubic metres). In such cases, the skip bin would have to be placed on Council land. When faced with this possibility, a skip bin permit is no longer optional; it’s mandatory.
- The skip bin must have the brand, company name, and company contact details written or printed on the skip.
- The permit-holder or requester must be able to provide documentation and evidence for public liability insurance with a minimum value of $10,000,000.
- Whatever you’re storing in the waste bin cannot be rotting, spoiled, or giving off offensive odors.
Other Permits Required:
- If you’re doing building and construction, a separate permit for working on Council Land may be needed.