A dumpster on private property, like your driveway or yard, generally doesn't need a City permit in Barstow. Once the container sits in a public street or across a sidewalk, it's in the right-of-way, and that requires approval.
Inside city limits, you'll need an encroachment permit from the Engineering Services Division. The City's master fee schedule, effective June 1, 2026, sets the issuance fee at $76.35, or the City's total hourly cost if that's higher. The schedule doesn't list a review time, so apply well before delivery.
The Engineering Services Division is at City Hall, 220 E. Mountain View St., Suite A. Call 760-256-3531, Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. The office is closed on Fridays.
Barstow also has a franchise rule. The City provides trash and recycling collection through an exclusive franchise, and it has said that all roll-off bins, temporary and permanent, are billed and serviced by its franchise hauler. Before you book, your account manager will confirm how that rule applies to your address.
Outside city limits, in communities like Lenwood, Hinkley, Yermo, and Daggett, road permits come from San Bernardino County Public Works instead. Your account manager can help you find the right contact.