Albany guide
Dumpster permits in Albany
A container in your own driveway rarely involves the city. One parked on the street does: Albany wants a permit first, and if you need the spaces kept clear, signs from Traffic Engineering after that.
Booking hours: Monday to Saturday 8 to 8, Sunday 8 to 1 (Eastern time)
City of Albany
Putting a dumpster on the street
Apply for the barricade permit
The city's residential property guide says a sidewalk & barricade permit is the one you need to have a dumpster placed on the street outside a property. City code lists dumpsters among the obstructions that need it.
Wait for approval
The permit is issued by Buildings & Regulatory Compliance, 200 Henry Johnson Boulevard, first floor, Suite 1. Phone 518-434-5995, weekdays 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Then request No Parking signs
For a dumpster, the Emergency No Parking request is approved only after the barricade permit. Call Traffic Engineering at 518-434-5791 at least four business days before the first day you need the spaces.
Build those days into your delivery date. Ask the rental company how many spaces the container and the truck need, and give that figure on the parking request.
Who applies
Some rental companies handle the street permit for customers; others expect the property owner or the contractor on the job to do it. Settle this on the first call, along with who pays the fee.
If you rent, the owner's name will likely be needed on the application, so involve your landlord early.
When you probably don't need a city permit
- The container sits entirely on your driveway or on private land behind the house.
- Nothing (the box, its rails or the boards beneath) crosses onto the sidewalk.
- You aren't asking for parking spaces to be held.
Unsure whether your spot counts as next to the sidewalk? Call Buildings & Regulatory Compliance and describe it. Placement tips are in where to put a dumpster.
Book a roll-off for your Albany address
Pick up the phone with three things in mind: the debris, the drop spot and your dates. A locally run, independent roll-off company picks up, recommends a container and quotes a drop-off day and a total.
This number is for rentals, not trash pickup. Albany's regular trash and recycling are handled by the city's Department of General Services.
Booking hours: Monday to Saturday 8 to 8, Sunday 8 to 1 (Eastern time)
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