Department of L&I dumpster medallion program FAQs – Philadelphia, PA

The L&I Dumpster Medallion Program FAQ (L_001_INF) is a two-page information sheet from the City of Philadelphia Department of Licenses and Inspections (L&I) that answers common questions about dumpster licenses and the Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) medallion that dumpsters must carry.

The sheet explains the medallion: a small transmitting device, required by the Philadelphia Code, that is attached to the dumpster. It sends an individual medallion identification code to the handheld computers city enforcement officers use, so they can pull up the license information in the field. No private information is stored on the device. A dumpster without the device in the required area is assessed a violation.

It also covers how licensing works. Private dumpster licenses are issued for the lifetime of the business, while public right-of-way licenses are renewed every year. Fees depend on dumpster size and use (trash or recycling), and construction dumpsters are charged annually for up to three dumpsters. The sheet gives the medallion pickup location, what to do about a damaged medallion, how to handle several dumpsters, a change of hauling company, extra Streets Department approval in the public right-of-way, and how violations are resolved.

This sheet is not the license application. On its dumpster license page, L&I lists the application, a waste hauler form, a plot plan form, checklists, an RFID tag installation information sheet and the Streets ROW Public Dumpster Form as separate documents.

Anyone who uses a "container for refuse or recyclable materials" that is serviced by a business needs a dumpster license and medallion. The sheet is written for those dumpster users and for anyone deciding whether the rules apply to them.

• Dumpster on private property: a private license applies, issued for the lifetime of the business.
• Dumpster in the public right-of-way (along a street or sidewalk): a public license applies, renewed annually, and approval from the Streets Department Right-of-Way Unit is required before L&I issues the license and dumpster.
• Construction dumpsters: the sheet lists an annual charge for up to three dumpsters.
• Several dumpsters: each dumpster needs its own paid license, but dumpsters at the same location can go on one application. Dumpsters at different addresses need separate applications.

Exclusion: if the City of Philadelphia picks up your dumpster, you do not need a dumpster license and RFID medallion. Commercial and multi-unit residential properties with City pickup are subject to a separate commercial trash pickup fee, which is not the dumpster license.

The sheet itself is not filed; its rules apply from the moment a business-serviced dumpster is in use. L&I tells you to expect a violation if you have no dumpster license and medallion and the relevant code provisions apply to you.

Private dumpster licenses are issued for the lifetime of the business, so they are not renewed. Public right-of-way licenses must be renewed every year. A working medallion does not have to be replaced at renewal: so long as it continues to operate, you do not need to pick up a new one.

If you change hauling companies, notify L&I immediately by calling 3-1-1 or (215) 686-8686. For a public right-of-way dumpster, obtain Streets Department approval first, then submit the Dumpster License application with L&I.

This FAQ is an information sheet and is not submitted. The licensing steps it describes use these channels:

• Dumpster license application: apply online, or take the application to the Permit and License Center in the MSB Concourse. L&I states: do not mail applications.
• Medallion pickup: Municipal Service Building, 1401 John F. Kennedy Boulevard. You must first make an appointment to visit the Permit and License Center.
• Public right-of-way dumpsters: submit a Streets Department Review through eCLIPSE and upload a completed Streets ROW Public Dumpster Form with a site plan showing size, location, and sidewalk/street widths. After Streets approval, submit the Dumpster License application with L&I.
• Questions, hauler changes and violation corrections: call 3-1-1 or (215) 686-8686, or use the online help form.
• Commercial trash pickup fee: Streets Department Solid Resources Unit, (215) 686-5090 or [email protected].

License fees apply and vary by dumpster size and use; the FAQ lists them in a table, and L&I can confirm current amounts. FillingPDF lets you fill out and download the PDF; submission follows the channels above.