Concrete, brick and shingles in Houston: what the City takes and what needs a dumpster
Concrete, brick and roofing shingles are the three materials people most often assume the City will take for free. Houston's residential drop-off centers do take some of that, but not all of it, and the limits are small. Here is what the City's own drop-off page says, so you can decide between a trip to the center and a roll-off before you start demolition.
What the City drop-off centers refuse
The City of Houston runs six Residential Drop-Off Centers: North (9003 N Main), Northwest (14400 Sommermeyer), Northeast (5565 Kirkpatrick), Southeast (2240 Central Street), South (5100 Sunbeam) and Southwest (10785 SW Freeway). The City's drop-off page lists concrete, rocks, dirt and bricks as not accepted. So a broken patio slab, a pulled-up driveway or a pile of brick from a wall will not be taken there.
That list also rules out garbage, paint, chemicals, hot ashes and liquids of any kind, so the same trip cannot double as a cleanup for the hazardous items covered in our guide on paint, tires and chemicals.
What it does take: bagged shingles, in small amounts
The City lists shingles among the contractor-type materials it accepts, but they must be bagged, and the whole load of contractor-type materials is capped at 4 cubic yards, about eight contractor bags. The same category includes sheetrock, tile, lumber, carpet, flooring, cabinetry and plywood.
That is enough for a patch repair or a single small outbuilding roof, but a full house tear-off is far past it. A typical re-roof produces many times that volume and the shingles are heavy, which is why roofers order a roll-off for the job.
Who can use the centers, and how often
The centers serve Houston residents with a current Texas-issued ID. Bulk and contractor-type drop-offs also need a current City of Houston utility bill or lease with a matching address. Visits are limited to four per month, one vehicle per household at a time, and unloading is limited to 20 minutes.
Vehicles are limited to pickups and trailers up to 10 feet long with low sideboards. Hours and rules change, so check the City's page or call 311 before you load the truck.
Why heavy material goes in a roll-off
Concrete, brick, rock and dirt are dense, so volume is not the limit; weight is. That is why they go in a 10-yard can rather than a bigger one, and why it helps to keep them separate from lumber, drywall and trash. Mixed loads are harder to recycle and are weighed and handled differently at the landfill.
Shingles are the one place the two overlap: light enough in a bag for the City's center, heavy enough in bulk to need a roll-off. For a roof larger than a small repair, plan on the dumpster.
Check before the older roof comes off
TxDOT notes that asphalt roofing products may contain asbestos, and that the Texas Department of State Health Services regulates asbestos-containing materials, including roofing. On an older roof or a building you are demolishing, find out what the material is before it goes in the can. Ask the contractor, or ask us when you request a quote and we will tell you what the hauler needs to know.
Frequently asked
No. The City's drop-off page lists concrete, rocks, dirt and bricks as not accepted. Heavy material like this goes in a heavy-load roll-off.
Yes, within limits. Shingles must be bagged and count toward a 4 cubic yard cap on contractor-type materials per visit. A full re-roof exceeds that, so it needs a dumpster.
No. The City states that no contractors with tools or signs of any kind are allowed, and it bars contractor vehicles, vans and dump trailers. Contractor debris belongs in a roll-off.
A 10-yard, kept free of other trash. Concrete, brick and dirt are heavy enough that a larger can would be over the road-weight limit before it is full.
TxDOT notes that asphalt roofing may contain asbestos and that the Texas Department of State Health Services regulates it. If the roof is older, ask the contractor or ask us before disposal.