An annual Donation Bin Use Permit is required to place a donation bin at an approved location. Use Permits expire on December 31 of each year. Applications must be submitted by September 30 for the following year. The “bin operator” is the person or entity that maintains primary responsibility of the donation bin, while the “property owner” is the person or entity having legal title to the property where the bin is located. View the dashboard for a list of all collections bin locations.
Guidelines
The applicant's donation bin, bin location and donation items must meet the following guidelines in order to be eligible to apply.
Guidelines
Acceptable
Unacceptable
Bin
Made of a durable, waterproof material
Have a tamper-resistant lock
Have one opening for accepting donations
Electronically-powered
Over 9 feet in height
Have a footprint that exceeds 8 by 10 feet
Location
Ground should be level, paved or durable, preferably near a light source.
In all zones:
Fire stations
Schools
Churches
In commercial-industrial zones:
Shopping centers
Industrial parks
Fuel service stations—Only those in commercial/industrial zones
The above guidelines are for the purpose of permitting donation bins in certain areas and with certain restrictions; requiring a permit for such use; establishing a process for obtaining a permit; defining terms relating to donation bins; providing for certain requirements of donation bins and donation bin operators; and generally relating to donation bins.
Application Process
Follow these steps to apply for a Donation Bin Use Permit.
Download a copy of the property report for the location where the bin will be placed. You will use this in Step 4.
Use the Permit Review Tool to search for your property’s address or the 10-digit tax account number for the parcel. You can also select your property on the map.
Select the “Click Here” links next to the “Commercial” link to view, download and print the property report PDF. Note: If there are multiple parcels for your property, only select the report for the parcel that shows the location of where your bin will be located.
Find the following property information on your report to include in your application:
Tax account number
Zoning classification
Premise address
Property Owner’s name
Important Note: If the property report lists a "code enforcement violation" on the property, you must have this violation cleared before proceeding with the application. To clear the violation, call Code Enforcement at 410-887-3351.
Gather your documents to upload with your application:
Site Plan—The plan is not required to be sealed and can either be drawn accurately by hand, generated by a geographic information system (such as Google Maps or My Neighborhood), or a commercial site plan. Please include the following in your site plan:
Property boundaries with street address and names of nearest adjoining streets
Type of property (see acceptable locations outlined in the Guidelines table)
Total of bins on the site
Name, address and contact information of the bin operator
Location of the bin with its proximity to the property lines
Location and orientation of the bin’s opening
Location of any exterior lighting (where feasible, place bin near a light source)
Location of all buildings and structures on the subject property
Dimensions of bins, to show the foot print does not exceed 8 feet wide by 10 feet long
The existing ingress and egress to the property
The location of existing driveways, garages, carports, parking spaces, maneuvering aisles, pavement and striping
Elevation Drawings or Graphic Renderings of Bin—Please include the following on your elevation drawings:
Size of bin (height, width, length, cannot exceed 9 feet high by 8 feet wide by 10 feet long)
Material of bin—Must be durable and waterproof
Diagram or description of the tamper-resistant locking mechanism
Location of the permit sticker (in a conspicuous place)
Any graphics (third-party advertising is not permitted)
Photographs—Of the proposed location of the bin and surrounding buildings
Maintenance Plan—Must include a pick-up schedule and details regarding the removal of trash or graffiti. The maintenance of the bin must be scheduled for at least once per week between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. on weekdays, and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekends.
24-Hour Contact Information—Provide a 24-hour phone number and email to contact regarding complaints.
Permit Fee—A permit fee of $100 payable online.
Select the button below to launch the application.
Once you have completed the above steps you may apply for your Donation Bin Use Permit.
Apply Now
Review and Approval
Once you submit your application, it will be reviewed within 48 hours. If accepted, you will receive an email notification and with the permit attached.
More Information
For questions, contact the Zoning Review office at 410-887-3391.
For more information regarding the Donation Bin Use Permit, refer to Section 415.B of the County Zoning Regulations and Article 21, Title 23 of the County Code.