Skip bin permitsCouncil rules for skips on the street in Melbourne’s east

Driveway or street?

Every council in the east draws the same line: private property needs no permit, council land does. Council land means the road, the nature strip, the footpath, a laneway or a reserve. Councils also prefer the driveway: Knox says “Where possible, a skip bin should be placed on private property”, Whitehorse that skips “should only be placed on the road if it is not possible to place them on private land”, and Yarra Ranges that it “will not approve any permit application where the Skip Bin can be placed safely on private property”.

So the first question is whether the skip fits on your driveway, with room for the truck to set it down. If it does, there’s no permit and no permit fee. If it doesn’t, we arrange the permit.

Who applies, and who pays

The skip company. Knox says “Residents and property owners do not need to apply for a skip bin permit. Council can only issue a permit to a skip bin provider.” Manningham says “Residents, property owners or builders cannot apply on behalf of a supplier.” Whitehorse says “The Council skip bin permit cost will be included in the bin hire charge from the skip bin contractor”, and Monash that “Payment for the permit will be incorporated in the cost the skip bin company will charge you.”

Council by council

Maroondah

A permit is needed for a skip on council land, including the nature strip and road. The bin hire company applies, and must be accredited with council. Fees: $118 for 1 to 3 days, $188.50 for 4 to 8 days, $253 for 9 to 14 days, per bin (2026–27). Its fee schedule names the nature strip as the place the skip goes. Suburbs include Ringwood, Croydon, Heathmont, Ringwood East, Ringwood North, Warranwood, Croydon North, Croydon Hills, Bayswater North. Maroondah’s skip bin page.

Knox

Knox says residents and property owners do not need to apply: only the skip provider can. A placed skip can be at most 7.5 m long, 2.5 m wide and 1.5 m high. Fees: $196 per placement for a one-off permit (up to 7 days, at least 14 days’ notice), or $58 per placement for accredited providers on a $563 annual permit. Each placement is valid for up to seven days, and a one-off permit “may require a site inspection by Council”. The skip must be “clearly visible for a distance of at least 100 meters” on a road and must not block a footpath, drain or emergency access. Suburbs include Boronia, Ferntree Gully, Rowville, Bayswater, Wantirna, Wantirna South, Scoresby, Knoxfield, The Basin. Knox’s skip bin permit page.

Whitehorse

Whitehorse says a skip must not be placed on the nature strip or grass reserve. The skip contractor applies, at least 48 business hours ahead. Fees: $125.00 for 5 days, plus $51 per bay per day in a metered bay. On the road, a skip must leave “A minimum unobstructed distance of 1.8 metres” from the property line and 0.5 m from the kerb, and must “only be placed outside the resident or business property” unless the neighbour agrees in writing. If you hold a Works Zone Permit, the skip can go in the works zone with no separate permit. Suburbs include Box Hill, Mitcham, Blackburn, Nunawading, Vermont, Vermont South, Forest Hill, Burwood East. Whitehorse’s skip bin page.

Manningham

Only the skip supplier can apply. Skips aren’t allowed on arterial roads, and a skip on the nature strip or footpath needs prior approval and an asset protection permit. Fees: $160 for a temporary permit (up to 7 days), or $935 for an annual permit. Manningham doesn’t recommend skips on the road at all: “Due to their size, they can obstruct line of sight and create safety hazards for motorists and pedestrians. On narrow streets, they can also block access for emergency vehicles.” Temporary permits are issued immediately once the online application is paid. Suburbs include Doncaster, Doncaster East, Templestowe, Donvale, Warrandyte. Manningham’s skip bin permit page.

Monash

An accredited supplier applies at least 2 days ahead. Skips aren’t allowed on arterial roads. Fees: $327.60 on local roads (1 week max.), or $331.80 at activity and shopping centres (2 hours, 7am to 9am) (2026–27). At activity centres, skips may only be out between 7am and 9am on weekdays. To extend a permit, the company applies for a new one. Suburbs include Glen Waverley, Mount Waverley, Wheelers Hill, Clayton, Oakleigh, Mulgrave. Monash’s skip bin permit page.

Yarra Ranges

Council will not approve a road permit where the skip can be placed safely on private property. A registered skip company applies. Fees: $74.00 residential (up to 7 days), $150.00 building site (up to 3 months), $500.00 commercial (3 to 12 months), including GST. It’s the only council here with skip permits for a building site (3 months) and a business (up to 12 months). Skips on the road need reflective tape and, from sunset to sunrise, hazard lights on the corners nearest traffic. Suburbs include Lilydale, Mooroolbark, Kilsyth, Montrose, Mount Evelyn, Chirnside Park, Upwey, Belgrave, Coldstream, Healesville. Yarra Ranges’ skip bin page.

The six councils side by side

What councils expect from you as the hirer

The permit is the skip company’s, but the hirer has a part to play. Manningham’s placement guidelines say the hirer must, where practicable, make sure the bin is placed off-road, doesn’t cause an obstruction, has the necessary permit, and isn’t overloaded, with the waste secured so it can’t be readily dislodged. In practice:

• Clear the driveway so the skip can go on your property if it fits
• Keep the load level with the top edge, and nothing loose on top
• Don’t move a skip once it’s placed, or block the footpath around it
• Ask your neighbours if the skip will sit in front of their place

Building works: asset protection permits

Separate from the skip permit, most councils need an asset protection permit before building work starts, to cover damage to footpaths, kerbs and nature strips. Yarra Ranges’ final inspection checks that “The nature strip has been cleared of skip bin(s), building materials and debris”. If you’re renovating, your builder usually handles it. See builders and renovation skips.

Common questions