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Memphis
Memphis starts a demolition with a ten-working-day notice
Local haulers do the work; we hold the contract, own the problems, and send one bill. In Memphis the city leaves construction trash to the contractor, and the Shelby County Health Department wants ten working days' notice before demolition or renovation begins.
Last reviewed October 27, 2026.
Short answer
- The city says commercial builders and contractors are responsible for removing all trash from demolition, remodeling, or construction projects.
- City collection reaches single-family homes, apartments with fewer than seven units, and many small businesses.
- Shelby County's Health Department wants a Notification of Intent at least ten working days before demolition or renovation starts, with an asbestos survey done first.
- 11 providers in our provider network have completed jobs in Memphis.
A clock that starts before the first container
On a Memphis demolition the first deadline lands before any container does, and it belongs to a county office, not the city. We keep your sites on one account and answer for them as the dates stack up. When a pickup gets missed, we contact the hauler the same business day.
Memphis puts construction cleanup on the builder, so a contractor can't count on city collection for project trash, even on a small remodel at a home the city otherwise serves. On demolition or renovation, the county health notice and the asbestos survey set the earliest start date, so book containers against that date and not the one on the bid. Ask the hauler about the Develop901 permit if the container needs the street, and keep the permit number handy for the driver on delivery day.
A single remodel with a contractor who knows the rules can stay as it is. Where we sit among the models is laid out in hauler, broker, and provider network, and the Tennessee page has the state rules.
Memphis deliveries on record
Jobs delivered to Memphis addresses, October 26, 2024 through October 26, 2026. Canceled jobs are not counted.
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.
Who removes what in Memphis
The Division of Solid Waste collects weekly from single-family homes, apartments with fewer than seven units, and many small businesses. Construction is a different matter. The Clean City Guide puts removal of project trash on the commercial builder or contractor, and the Collins Yard Convenience Center bars commercial haulers and contractors and lists commercial waste among the items it won't take. Businesses contract with private companies to collect hazardous waste.
The asbestos notice before demolition
Shelby County's Health Department runs the asbestos program for demolition and renovation. The owner, contractor, or operator files a Notification of Intent at least ten working days before the work starts, and an accredited person has to survey for asbestos first, with the survey done within ten years of the filing. Build that clock into the schedule before containers are booked.
- FilingNotification of Intent to the Shelby County Health Department
- Lead timeAt least ten working days before demolition or renovation starts
- SurveyAsbestos survey first, by an accredited person
- Survey ageDone within ten years of the filing
- OfficeAsbestos Control, 1826 Sycamore View Road, 901-222-8270
Dumpsters and the Develop901 permit
For a dumpster on a Memphis street, start with the city's permits portal. Its Engineering Permits group handles dumpsters, alongside floodplain development, underground cables, and traffic control, and its permits cover sidewalks, street parking, curb cuts, and construction in public areas. The portal doesn't publish placement rules, a fee, or a timeline for dumpsters, so call the Develop901 office before you promise a delivery date. A job that needs both a dumpster and a demolition has two clocks. File the Shelby County asbestos notice first, because that one runs ten working days.
Memphis tornado seasons and the building calendar
NWS Memphis publishes a Mid-South severe weather climatology. Its tornado record runs from 1950 to 1993, which makes it a pattern, not a forecast. Building permits show houses edging up.
- March to May
Spring tornado season
NWS counts 52 percent of annual Mid-South tornado reports in these months, with April the most active at 22.5 percent.
- May and June
Hail, then wind
Hail is most active in May and damaging wind in June. Cover loads before afternoon storms.
- November and December
Second tornado season
A secondary season holds 16.9 percent of annual tornado reports. Late-year jobs get no break.
Memphis, TN-MS-AR, January to August 2026 against the same months of 2025. Apartment-size permits rose from 41 units to 251, off a small base, so read it with care.
Memphis services and hauler sign-up
Memphis customers can order dumpster rental, portable toilets, hand-wash stations, and restroom trailers.
For haulers
Own trucks or toilets in the Memphis area? Join the provider network through the vendor form; there's no charge. Payment runs through Bill.com from the processing date once you send an invoice to accounting@detritus.us. The vendor payment guide has the detail.
Answers
Common questions
Who removes construction debris on a Memphis job?
The contractor does. The city's Clean City Guide says commercial builders and contractors are responsible for removing all trash from any demolition, remodeling, or construction project.
Does Memphis collect trash from businesses?
From many small businesses, yes. The Division of Solid Waste serves single-family homes, apartments with fewer than seven units, and many small businesses. Businesses contract with private companies to collect hazardous waste.
How far ahead does Memphis demolition need an asbestos notice?
At least ten working days before demolition or renovation starts, filed with the Shelby County Health Department, with an asbestos survey done beforehand by an accredited person.
Can an approved Memphis 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 Memphis account.
Talk to us
(888) 588-2607
Send the Memphis sites
Send the Memphis addresses and the demolition dates, or call.
Sources
Public sources read October 28, 2026.
- Our own delivery records.
- Memphis Clean City Guide, City of Memphis.
- Asbestos, Shelby County Health Department.
- Severe Weather Climatology, NWS Memphis.
- Permits portal, Engineering Permits, City of Memphis Develop901.
- Building Permits Survey, U.S. Census Bureau.