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Cincinnati
Cincinnati franchises commercial hauling, construction debris included
Local haulers do the work; we hold the contract, own the problems, and send one bill. Cincinnati makes it unlawful to haul commercial waste without a city franchise, and that rule has covered commercial construction and demolition debris since October 1, 2020.
Last reviewed October 27, 2026.
Short answer
- A company providing commercial waste hauling in Cincinnati has to hold a city franchise, and providing the service without one is a Class D civil offense.
- The program has covered commercial construction and demolition debris since October 1, 2020, and demolition contractors are included.
- A C&D roll-off can sit in the right-of-way only after an open street permit from the city's transportation department, and solid waste dumpsters aren't eligible for one.
- 14 providers in our provider network have completed jobs in Cincinnati.
A franchise for the hauling, a permit for the curb
Cincinnati projects run on a franchise holder for the hauling and a transportation department permit for the curb. We keep both on one account and answer for them. When a pickup gets missed, we contact the hauler the same business day.
Cincinnati's franchise rule catches people who assume construction debris is outside it. It isn't, so a commercial or demolition job needs a franchise holder from the start, not after a code officer asks. Plan the curb early too. A construction roll-off can go in the street with an open street permit, but a regular solid waste dumpster can't, so a site with no room for a driveway placement should sort that out before ordering. Tell us which streams you expect, and we'll match the container to the rule that covers it. On a mixed renovation, separate containers for debris and for regular trash usually cost less trouble than arguing later about what was in one load.
If one container at one site is the whole job, a franchise holder can be called directly. The hauler, broker, and provider network page shows where we fit, and the Ohio page has state rules.
Cincinnati deliveries
Deliveries with a job-site address in Cincinnati during October 26, 2024 through October 26, 2026, with canceled jobs left out.
Figures are counts of completed deliveries, providers, and accounts in this window from our records, as of October 2026. Roll-off deliveries are containers delivered. Portable toilet deliveries are units placed, not orders. A company that completed both services is counted in both service rows, so those rows are not a split of the provider total. The counts are not a promise that every address is covered. Front-load service, compactors, and balers are not in these counts. The sanitation figure adds portable toilets and hand-wash units placed. Where a restroom-trailer count is shown, it is units placed.
The Commercial Waste Franchise Program
Municipal Code section 730-5 made it unlawful in January 2013 to provide commercial waste services in Cincinnati without a franchise, and the program was expanded on October 1, 2020 to include commercial construction and demolition debris. It covers commercial waste, with infectious or hazardous waste, recyclables, and organics left out. First-time applicants pay a non-refundable application fee and post a bond. Providing the service without a franchise is a Class D civil offense under section 730-99. Use a registered franchise holder on any commercial project.
Roll-offs and the open street permit
The city's environment office says carts and dumpsters can't be placed or stored in the right-of-way. A C&D roll-off may sit there temporarily only after the contractor gets an open street permit from the Department of Transportation and Engineering, and solid waste dumpsters are not eligible for open street permits. The department lists placing a dumpster in the public right-of-way among the activities that need a permit, and new permit fees took effect January 1, 2026.
- PermitOpen street permit from DOTE, for C&D roll-offs only
- Not eligibleSolid waste dumpsters
- Carts, dumpstersBehind the curbline on private property, never in the right-of-way
- WherePermit and License Center, 801 Plum Street, Suite 425
- HoursMonday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Phone513-352-3463
Recycled debris and landfill cover
The city's FAQ separates the streams. C&D debris to be recycled goes to a C&D processing facility, while C&D used as alternative daily cover at a landfill is not recycled material and doesn't qualify for a franchise fee exemption. Ask your hauler which stream your debris is headed for.
The August derecho and the Cincinnati calendar
NWS Wilmington covers Cincinnati, and its archive documents the August 11, 2026 storms. Census permit data shows apartments more than doubling.
- August 11, 2026
A derecho
The Storm Prediction Center classified the second round of storms as a derecho. Damage-producing winds ran 60 to 90 mph across the Tri-State.
- At Lunken Field
68 mph gust
The airport recorded a 68 mph gust, and the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky airport recorded 59 mph.
- Six tornadoes
EF0 to EF1
Five were in Ohio and one in Kentucky, though most damage came from straight-line winds. Secure covers and empties before a warning.
Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN, January to August 2026 against the same months of 2025. Apartment permits more than doubled from last year, so long multifamily builds are filling the pipeline.
Cincinnati services and hauler sign-up
Cincinnati buyers can book dumpster rental, portable toilets, hand-wash stations, and restroom trailers.
For haulers
Franchised to haul in Cincinnati, or renting toilets here? Join the provider network through the vendor form; it's free. Bill.com pays vendors from the processing date, and invoices go to accounting@detritus.us. The vendor payment guide walks through it.
Answers
Common questions
Does a Cincinnati hauler need a city franchise?
Yes. Municipal Code section 730-5 makes it unlawful to provide commercial waste services without a franchise, and the program has covered commercial construction and demolition debris since October 1, 2020.
Can a roll-off sit on a Cincinnati street?
A construction debris roll-off can, temporarily, after an open street permit from the Department of Transportation and Engineering. Solid waste dumpsters aren't eligible for open street permits, and carts and dumpsters can't be stored in the right-of-way.
What happens to construction debris used as landfill cover in Cincinnati?
It is not treated as recycled material and does not qualify for a franchise fee exemption. Recycled debris goes to a construction and demolition processing facility.
Can an approved Cincinnati account get payment terms?
Approved accounts can be offered Net 30, 60, or 90, subject to credit review. Nothing on this page is an offer of credit. Terms of use apply to a Cincinnati account.
Talk to us
(888) 588-2607
Send the Cincinnati sites
Send the Cincinnati addresses and which jobs involve commercial demolition, or call.
Sources
Public sources read October 28, 2026.
- Our own delivery records.
- Commercial Waste Franchise Program, City of Cincinnati Office of Environment and Sustainability.
- Commercial Waste Franchise Program FAQs, City of Cincinnati Office of Environment and Sustainability.
- Permits and Licenses, City of Cincinnati Transportation and Engineering.
- August 11, 2026: Severe Weather and Tornadoes, NWS Wilmington.
- Building Permits Survey, U.S. Census Bureau.