After more than a century of providing free trash collection to single-family homes, the City of San Diego is prepping to introduce monthly fees for the service. Pending City Council approval, approximately 233,000 households will be charged $53 per month for trash and recycling services.
This proposed fee is notably higher than those in neighboring cities. For instance, residents in La Mesa pay $27.33 monthly, while those in Chula Vista and Carlsbad are charged $36.80. Unlike these cities, which contract private sanitation companies, San Diego utilizes city employees and equipment for waste collection.
To accommodate residents seeking cost-saving options, the city plans to offer a smaller 35-gallon trash bin at a reduced rate of $42 per month. Additionally, subsidies are being considered for property owners who meet specific criteria.
Jeremy Bauer, Assistant Director of San Diego’s Environmental Services Department, highlighted the benefits of the new fee structure, stating that it would free up $60 million in the city’s general fund for essential services such as fire, police, parks, and libraries. On top of the essential services, the new fees should help the city improve the reliability in trash services, including a dedicated crew for missed collections, new trucks to replace outdated ones, and free replacement bins—a service for which residents previously had to pay.
The City Council’s Environment Committee is scheduled to review the proposal this week, with a full council vote anticipated in March. If approved, homeowners will receive a 45-day notice before the fees take effect, and billing will commence in July through property taxes. Should a majority of eligible residents submit valid protests against the proposed fees, the council may be prevented from imposing them.
This development follows the 2022 passage of Measure B, which amended the “People’s Ordinance” and allowed the city to consider implementing trash collection fees for single-family homes.
