three dump trucks lined up on the street

Private haulers collect, remove, or transport waste, recycling, and/or organic compost. All private haulers operating for a fee within the City of Austin must get a Private Hauler License (City of Austin Code 15-6, Article 3). 

What you will find on this page: 

Who needs a Private Hauler License?

If you collect, remove, or transport waste, recycling, and/or organic/compost within the City of Austin, you must obtain a Private Hauler License per City of Austin Code 15-6, Article 3.  A vehicle not licensed under this article is not permitted to collect and/or haul solid waste or recyclables from any site in the city.

Definitions 
  • Compostable Materials - Organic material recovered, collected, or otherwise diverted from the non-hazardous solid waste stream, a substantial portion of which will decompose in a managed compost operation.         
  • Composting Facilities - An offsite facility holding all required local, state, and federal authorizations where the organic component of municipal solid waste is decomposed under controlled conditions for purposes of beneficial reuse.   
  • Construction or Demolition (C&D) Material – By-products of construction or demolition projects, such as building components, concrete, corrugated cartons, gypsum wallboard, metal, paper, paving, plastics, and wood.
  • Disposal Facility - A landfill or facility that processes the material into a fuel, including an anaerobic digester.
  • Organic Processor - a facility that processes organic material (landscaping, yard trimmings, brush, grass, tree stumps, untreated wood, food, etc.) into animal feed, mulch, compost, or similar products.
  • Recyclables - Non-hazardous material, including compostable material, that has been recovered or diverted from disposal in Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) facilities for the purpose of reuse, recycling, or reclamation and a substantial portion of which is consistently used in the manufacture of products, which may otherwise be produced using raw or virgin materials.                  
  • Recycling - A process by which materials that have served their intended use or are scrapped, discarded, used, surplus, or obsolete are collected, separated, composted, or processed and returned to use in the form of raw materials in the production of new products. The definition of recycling does not include waste-to-energy processes, placement in a disposal facility, or use as daily cover in a disposal facility.              
  • Recycling Facility - A facility that processes recovered materials into raw materials for the production of new products.
  • Solid Waste - Rubbish, refuse, and other discarded materials, such as tires and construction scraps (e.g., landfill trash or debris). Tree limbs and yard debris are also included, and those who haul only tree limbs and yard waste must also be licensed.

Application and Renewal Information

Applications/renewals are due between Jan. 1 and Jan. 31 each year. The license is nontransferable and expires at midnight on Dec. 31, the year of issuance. Renewal applications are not accepted before Jan. 1 since the tonnage report is required through Dec. 31. Additional vehicles may be added anytime. Visit the "How to Add a Vehicle to a License" section to learn more.

How to Apply for or Renew a Private Hauler License

Please complete these steps to apply for or renew your private hauler license.
 

step 1   Complete Application

Print and complete a Private Hauler License Application (PDF). The application must be signed by a legally authorized representative. 

step 2   Required Documents and Fees

Required Documents
  • Certificate of Insurance -  A copy of the certificate of insurance for your general liability AND commercial auto liability insurance policy. Auto policy must show minimum limits of $250,000 per individual and $500,000 per occurrence for bodily injury and $100,000 for property damage, OR $1,000,000 on a combined single limit basis. 
  • Annual State of Texas Vehicle Inspection Certification for each Licensed Vehicle -  If certification is unavailable, three pictures must be taken of each vehicle: side view of full vehicle, front view with license plate visible, and close up of inspection sticker. 
  • Tonnage Report/Remittance Form - This is on page 4 of the application. Use the most recent six month reporting period.
Fees

$365 per vehicle hauling to landfill. If your vehicle is ONLY hauling recycling, compost or mulching materials you do not have to pay a fee.

Payment Methods
  • Cash (in person only)
  • Check or Money Order payable to the "City of Austin" (by mail or in person)
  • Credit Card (by phone or in person)
     

step 3   Submit

Gather the required documents listed in Step 2 and submit your application via one of these submission methods: 

Email

Email the completed application and required documents to dsdhaulerlicense@austintexas.gov. Payment can be made via credit card by calling 512-974-9142, by check or money order via mail using the mailing address in the next section, or in person at the Permitting and Development Center by appointment. If you are mailing your check or money order, please include a copy of your application. 

Mail

Mail your completed application, cashiers check or money order, and required documents to:

  • City of Austin Development Services Department
    Attn: Finance - Private Hauler 
    P.O. Box 1088
    Austin, TX 78767

You can also call 512-974-9142 to pay via credit card.

In person

Call 512-974-9035 for an appointment to submit your application, required documents, and payment in person at the Permitting and Development Center (PDC). Cash, check, money order, and credit card payments are accepted in person. 

 step 4   Confirmation & Decal Placement

Upon submission of all required documents and fees, you will receive two decals in the mail as confirmation for each collection vehicle. The decals will be sent to the address listed on the application. The decals must be placed on the driver’s and passenger's doors. 

How to Add a Vehicle to a License

Please complete these steps to add a vehicle to your private hauler license.

step 1   Complete Application

Complete the Private Hauler License Application Addendum (PDF). The addendum must be signed by a legally authorized representative. 

step 2   Gather Required Documents and Fees

Required Documents

Annual State of Texas Vehicle Inspection Certification for each Licensed Vehicle - If certification is unavailable, three pictures must be taken of vehicle: side view of full vehicle, front view with license plate visible, and close up of inspection sticker. 

Fees

Use the calculation tool on page 2 of the Private Hauler License Application Addendum to determine the prorated fee per vehicle. If your vehicle is ONLY hauling recycling, compost or mulching materials you do not have to pay a fee.

Payment Methods
  • Cash (in person only)
  • Check or Money Order payable to the "City of Austin" (by mail or in person)
  • Credit Card (by phone or in person)


step 3   Submit

Gather the required documents listed in step #2 and submit your application via one of these submission methods: 

Email

Email the completed addendum application and required documents to dsdhaulerlicense@austintexas.gov. Payment can be made via credit card by calling 512-974-9142, by check or money order via mail using the mailing address in the next section, or in person at the Permitting and Development Center by appointment. If you are mailing your check or money order, please include a copy of your application. 

Mail

Mail your completed application, cashiers check or money order, and required documents to:

  • City of Austin Development Services Department
    Attn: Finance - Private Hauler 
    P.O. Box 1088
    Austin, TX 78767

Original documents must be submitted for your licenses to be issued. You can also call 512-974-9142 to pay via credit card.

In person

Call 512-974-9035 for an appointment to submit your addendum, required documents, and payment in person at the Permitting and Development Center (PDC). Cash, check, money order, and credit card payments are accepted in person. 

step 4   Confirmation & Decal Placement

Upon submission of all required documents and fees, you will receive two decals in the mail as confirmation for each collection vehicle. The decals will be sent to the address listed on the application. The decals must be placed on the driver’s and passenger's doors. 

Exemptions

Recycling vehicles are exempt from fees as long as they are used exclusively to collect recyclables. However, they still must apply for a license with the City. Recycling vehicles have blue recycling license decals. 

You do not need a license if you collect trash and/or recyclables outside the Austin city limits but drive through Austin. Per Ordinance No. 20120628-012, the licensing requirement is for businesses that collect landfill trash and/or recyclables in Austin.

Penalties and Revocation of License

Offenses are punishable by a fine up to $2,000 and, upon a first conviction, not less than $100.  The minimum fine shall be doubled for the second conviction of the same offense within any 24-month period and tripled for the third and subsequent convictions of the same offense within any 24-month period.

A license may be revoked if a licensee does not comply with the law, pay required fees, or file required reports.

List of Licensed Private Haulers

View the City of Austin database for a list of licensed private haulers.

Haulers Licensed by City of Austin

Contact Us

If you have questions or need help, contact us at 512-974-9035 or dsdhaulerlicense@austintexas.gov.

Resources

  Video: Waste Hauler Licensing Information

  Video: Licencia de Transporte Privado

  Video: Throw Out Your Trash Legally

  Video: Illegal Dumping

Learn more about private hauling in Austin

Austin area landfills

Lists of private haulers and landfills are provided as a resource without endorsement by the City of Austin.