Moving Can you take a moving truck to the dump in Charleston?

The short answer for each county

All three counties run their drop-off sites for residents, not businesses, so bring ID that shows you live there.

Charleston County: book an appointment first

Charleston County's convenience centers take most of what a move leaves behind, from furniture and mattresses in Zone 2 to appliances in Zone 3, free for individual residents. Since November 1, 2024, the rules for bigger vehicles are clear: double-axle trailers, box trucks and moving vans must schedule an appointment in advance by calling Charleston County Environmental Management at 843-720-7111.

You'll also need:

• a government-issued photo ID with a Charleston County address, or a photo ID plus a utility or tax bill with a matching county address
• a residential load. Businesses and contractors may use only the recycling area.

Most full-service centers are open Monday to Saturday, 7:30 AM to 6 PM. The Signal Point Road center on James Island isn't full service and doesn't take furniture, construction debris or appliances. See Charleston County convenience centers for every location.

Pro tip if you just moved here and your license still shows your old address, bring a utility or tax bill with your new Charleston County address along with your photo ID, and call 843-720-7111 for the truck appointment before you load up.

The Bees Ferry Landfill shares an address with the Bees Ferry Road center, 1344 Bees Ferry Rd., but it's run separately and has its own hours and fees. We couldn't confirm those, so call the landfill at (843) 571-0929 before you take a large load there.

Berkeley County: box trucks go to the landfill

Berkeley County's 10 convenience centers allow pickup-sized vehicles only. Box trucks, dump trucks and trailers over 12 feet are prohibited. Double-axle trailers up to 12 feet are allowed. The centers are for Berkeley County residents only, staff check a valid photo ID, and you unload and sort your own load.

Residents with loads too big for a center, like a box truck or a trailer over 12 feet, go to the Berkeley County Landfill:

• Address: 2277 Highway 52, Moncks Corner, SC 29461
• Phone: (843) 572-4400
• Hours: about 7:30 AM to 4:30 PM on weekdays and 7:30 AM to 1 PM on Saturday; closed Sunday and major holidays
• Payment: cash, Visa or MasterCard, or an in-state check with a copy of the signer's driver's license

The landfill's Scale House page says residents pay at the gate only for tires, boats and special waste. It also lists tipping fees: $57 a ton for household garbage, $100 a ton for construction debris and $50 a ton for yard debris, both with a 1-ton minimum. The county FAQ lists older, lower rates for construction debris and yard debris, and neither page is dated. Call (843) 572-4400 to ask what your load will cost. See Berkeley County convenience centers.

Dorchester County: pickups and single-axle trailers only

Dorchester County's convenience sites have the tightest vehicle rules of the three:

• nothing larger than a 3/4-ton pickup
• single-axle trailers only
• no pickup-and-trailer combination loads
• no vehicles with contractor or commercial signage

The sites take Dorchester County residential waste only, and proof of residency may be required. Breaking the county's rules is a misdemeanor that can bring a fine of up to $500, up to 30 days, or both. The county lists no fees, so call the Solid Waste office at (843) 832-0070, Monday to Friday, 8 AM to 4 PM, with questions. For oversize yard debris only, the county points to the Carolina Waste landfill at 355 Harrison Rd., Dorchester, which charges a fee. See Dorchester County convenience sites.

Town options that skip the truck

Some towns help with a move-out load at the curb, so you may not need to drive anywhere.

• North Charleston lends free trash trailers. Send a request form by email, or bring it to the Public Works building at 5800 Casper Padgett Way, by Monday at 5 PM. The trailer is delivered Thursday, or Friday in holiday weeks, and picked up the following Monday. The City delivers at most 2 trailers a week, subject to availability. Questions: (843) 745-1026.
• Moncks Corner takes move-out and excess trash requests through Town Hall. Call 843-719-7900 by 3 PM Tuesday for Wednesday pickup.

Other towns pick up furniture and appliances on their bulk days. Check your town's page, like City of Charleston bulk pickup or Summerville bulk pickup.

When a haul-away crew is easier

Driving a rental truck to the dump can mean booking an appointment, a trip to a landfill with its own fees, or several trips in a pickup. You also do all the unloading and sorting yourself. A junk removal crew loads from your home and takes it away, which can be simpler when you're also packing for a move. Our junk removal cost guide shows what Charleston loads cost, and moving costs in Charleston and moving to Charleston cover the rest of the move.

Frequently asked questions