Can You Put a Skip Bin on the Road?
When booking a skip bin, customers frequently ask whether they can put it on the road when it’s delivered.
While this prevents your driveway from being blocked or your front yard from potentially being damaged, what many customers don’t realise is that they actually need a permit to do this.
If you’re looking at skip bin hire in the northern suburbs and want to put it on the road, we’ve taken a closer look at the permit process below.
Driver and owner of Red Man Bin Hire, Graham, has been providing skip bins in Melbourne’s northeast for more than 20 years. With more than 35 bins on offer, we’re helping rid our beautiful area of rubbish one job at a time. Contact us for more information or to book a skip today.
Why Might a Skip Bin Need to be Placed on the Road?
There are many reasons why you might want to place a skip on the road, even though you need a permit to do so:
- Your driveway may be too narrow (we generally need at least a 2.8m entrance to get your bin in).
- There are overhanging trees that prevent the truck from getting in.
- You have a brand new driveway that you don’t want to damage by scraping a metal skip on it.
- You live in an apartment building or unit without a driveway.
- There are low-hanging power lines or cables, which pose a safety risk for the driver dropping off and collecting the bin.
- There’s no space in your driveway due to the presence of a carport.
- You require a large bin or are disposing of heavy materials, which poses the possibility of causing damage to the driveway.
Discuss your concerns with your skip supplier, and they will advise whether placing the bin on the road would be a more suitable alternative.
Who is Responsible for Obtaining the Permit?
While you may think that you, as the customer, are responsible for obtaining relevant council permits, it’s actually the responsibility of the skip supplier to handle this for you.
There are several reasons for this:
- The supplier must hold public liability insurance that meets the specific council’s minimum requirements (usually $20,000,000 coverage).
- The supplier must be registered with that specific council as a supplier.
The supplier will need to submit relevant documentation as a part of the permit application process and will pass on the cost of the permit to you.
Council Rules for Placing Skip Bins on the Road
Unfortunately, the rules surrounding skip bins for each specific council can differ greatly from each other.
Some councils allow skips to be placed on a road or nature strip, others only allow them to be placed on the road. Some allow you to apply for a permit the day of, while others require a few days notice. Some councils charge an application fee in addition to a daily fee, others only charge a flat fee. Councils generally also charge different rates to each other (and these usually increase each financial year).
It can be challenging for suppliers – let alone customers – to navigate council laws and the skip bin permitting process, which is why it’s important that you deal with someone who knows what they’re doing.
Some of the councils that we deal with include Darebin (fairly affordable with permits for a little over $100 for up to 7 days), Banyule, Nillumbik (with permits for a little under $100 for up to 4 days), and Whittlesea.
What if I Don’t Obtain a Permit?
Unfortunately, some suppliers fail to advise their customers of the need to obtain a permit when placing a skip bin on the road. When they place a bin on the road anyway, they’re knowingly breaking the law and putting both themselves and their customers at risk of serious consequences.
- Hefty fines and penalties, which differ depending on the council and often outweigh the original cost of the permit.
- Delays in skip delivery, as council authorities can prevent placement until the relevant permit has been obtained.
- Legal action, which could involve court proceedings, additional fines, and irreparable damage to your reputation.
While getting a permit can be an annoyance, it is far better than dealing with the potential repercussions of not doing so.
Permits Made Easy with Red Man Bin Hire
While it’s best to place skip bins on private property, in situations where that is not possible, obtaining a permit is essential for placing them on roads and nature strips instead.
The good news is that the knowledgeable team at Red Man Bin Hire is here to help – we are registered with all councils in Melbourne’s northeast and can apply for all relevant permits for you, ensuring council compliance and avoiding the risk of any fines.
