Last updated
What Are the Dumpster Dimensions for a 20 Yard Roll-Off?
A 20 yard roll-off dumpster runs about 22 feet long, 7.5 feet wide and stands 4.5 feet tall on the ground. That footprint fits most driveways in Charleston without eating the whole yard. If you're comparing dumpster sizes and dimensions before you commit, this one sits between the 10 yard and the 30 yard, and it's the box we deliver most for kitchen gut jobs, garage cleanouts and small roofing tear-offs. Truck access matters here: a roll-off delivery needs about 60 feet of straight clearance behind the truck to set the box down safely, so tell your dispatcher if your driveway is tight or your street has parked cars on both sides, and consider a light tower rental if the crew works past dusk. Homeowners near James Island, about 9.7 miles south of downtown Charleston, often ask about this same clearance rule when their lots back up to marsh access roads. If you're not sure this size fits your project, our roll-off dumpster rental page walks through what typically goes in each size class, and our construction dumpster rental page covers jobsite-specific tonnage questions.
How Much Does a 20 Yard Dumpster Cost in Charleston?
Expect to pay by the day, week or month, and the price band widens the longer you keep the box. A day rate for a dumpster this size falls between $51 and $112, a week runs $426 to $778, and a month lands between $91 and $500 depending on tonnage and haul distance. Here's how that breaks out:
| Duration | Low | Typical | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day | $51 | $75 | $112 |
| Week | $426 | $600 | $778 |
| Month | $91 | $108 | $500 |
Delivery fees run separately, usually $100 to $500 for a single trip, and most jobs in Charleston fall on the lower end of that range unless you're out past Goose Creek, 14.1 miles north, or Summerville, 22.3 miles northwest. For a full cost breakdown across every size, see dumpster rental cost. Weight matters too. Roofing shingles and concrete debris push tonnage fast, and going over your included weight allowance adds a per-ton charge, so check dumpster weight limits before you load anything heavy.
Do I Need a Permit for a Dumpster in Charleston?
Placement on your own driveway usually doesn't need a permit, but putting a dumpster in the street or right of way is a different question, and that one needs confirming directly with the City of Charleston since we don't have a verified local ordinance to cite here. If your contractor plans to set the box on the curb during a renovation near downtown, check with the city before delivery day rather than guessing. Our dumpster permit requirements page covers the general questions to ask. Also worth knowing before you fill the box: certain materials like tires, batteries, paint and hazardous chemicals typically can't go in a roll-off at all, and if your crew is using paints or coatings on site, washing facilities fall under OSHA 1926.51(f)(1). Review what cannot go in a dumpster so your load doesn't get rejected at the landfill. If you're running a construction site rather than a home cleanout, pair the dumpster with the rest of your construction site services, add a storage container rental for tools, and line up portable toilets under OSHA 1926.51(c), which sets crew-to-toilet ratios contractors get asked about on inspection; our how many porta potties do I need guide walks through the math.
How long can I keep a 20 yard dumpster?
Most rentals run a week by default, but you can extend by the day or take a full month if the job runs long. Renting a 30 yard dumpster instead might make sense if you expect the extension to happen more than once, and you can check current terms on our monthly porta potty rental page for how long-term pricing works across services.
What fits in a 20 yard dumpster?
This size handles a single-room gutting, a roof tear-off up to about 3,000 square feet, or a garage and yard cleanout combined. For smaller jobs, a 10 yard dumpster is often plenty and costs less, and if the debris includes septic work, see septic pumping service for that separate cleanup.
Can I put a 20 yard dumpster in my driveway?
Yes, most Charleston driveways handle this size fine, but the delivery truck still needs about 60 feet of clearance behind where the box lands. Measure your approach before booking.
Does the price include the haul-away fee?
Rates in our table include delivery and pickup for a standard load; going over the weight limit adds a separate charge. See dumpster rental cost for the full fee structure.
What if I need a bigger dumpster for a construction job?
A 40 yard dumpster or a 20 yard dumpster rental upgrade to the 30 works better for framing debris and multi-room demo, and crews on bigger sites often add a mobile office trailer rental for the same duration. Talk to Charleston Porta Pros about tonnage before you pick a size, and check Request a Quote or Contact to get a number back fast.
Next step
Get a delivery date
Tell us the address, the dates and the headcount. We size the order and confirm the route.