Residential Refuse Disposal Authorization Request

Residential Refuse Disposal Authorization Request Update

Starting in January 2025, Residential Refuse Disposal Authorizations will no longer be offered by Baltimore County. Any Refuse Disposal Authorizations dated before January 1, 2025 will still be valid. 

Starting January 1, 2025, Baltimore County residents will be able to visit our Resident Drop-off Centers up to 10 times annually to dispose of household waste that cannot be set out for curbside collection.

In most cases, residents of Baltimore County (with proof of residence) may dispose of trash at County drop-off facilities, free of charge. However, some situations require that a refuse disposal authorization be obtained in advance. Visit the drop-off facilities overview to view an accepted materials list, as well as detailed County disposal regulations.

CRITERIA FOR AUTHORIZATION REQUIREMENT

If any of the following conditions apply, the County resident must obtain a refuse disposal authorization in advance. If an authorization is not obtained, the resident will be charged a prorated fee of $125 per ton of material. A refuse disposal authorization must be obtained if:

  • A resident wishes to use a vehicle other than a car, van or "standard" pick-up (pick-up bed of four by eight feet or less).
  • A resident wishes to deliver waste which could be construed to be commercial, whether from a business establishment or from "odd-jobbing" or "handyman" operations.
  • A resident has a relative or friend who will be hauling the waste on behalf of the resident and at no cost to the resident.
  • A resident wishes to deliver more than two loads in any size vehicle within a week, or more than six loads in a calendar year.
  • A resident wishes to deliver an item that is "Restricted Waste" (for example, non-metallic boats or campers).
  • A resident wishes to use a commercially marked vehicle. Please note that a disposal authorization is not automatically needed if a resident uses a pick-up sized or style truck rented from U-Haul or a hardware store (these are the only exceptions); however, other conditions that require a refuse disposal authorization (such as number of loads or type of material) still apply.

A refuse disposal authorization must be requested at least 14 working days before the date you wish to dispose of your material. Have information available about the type of material you'll be bringing, the number of loads you anticipate, and the vehicle you will be delivering it in. For further information, please view our solid waste regulations.

REQUEST A REFUSE DISPOSAL AUTHORIZATION

  1. Verify That You Meet the Criteria

    Prior to applying for a disposal authorization, please verify that:

    • You are the owner of the property where the material is being generated.
    • The property is your primary residence (rentals are considered commercial).
    • You are disposing of this material yourself (i.e., not paying someone else to do it for you).
  2. Email the Required Information

    If the above conditions are met, you may email the following information to solidwaste@baltimorecountymd.gov:

    • Resident’s name
    • Resident’s address
    • Resident’s phone numbers 
    • Reason for the disposal authorization request
    • Type of material being disposed of (building materials, household materials, yard materials)
    • Description of vehicle being used to transport material, including year, make and model, color, any commercial markings (if applicable) and trailer size (if applicable)
    • Number of trips requested to dispose of the material (maximum 10 loads permitted; a trailer may count as multiple loads in a single visit)
    • Name of the driver (if other than the applicant) who will be transporting the material, as well as the driver’s relationship to the applicant

    Residents may also call 410-887-2000 with the above information to apply over the phone.

  3. Wait to Hear from Staff After Applying

    After the Bureau receives the request information, an on-site inspection of the materials may need to be performed by a collection supervisor before authorization is granted or denied.

    Submitting an application does not guarantee that an authorization will be granted. It may take up to 14 business days for an authorization request to be processed.