A City Of San Diego's Environmental Services Department truck empties the recycling bins in a Paradise Valley condominium complex March 3, 2011. For nearly a century, the city of San Diego has provided free trash pick?up for homes on public city streets. Now, facing a giant deficit the city is considering stopping the free service for a few thousand homes that are in the private communities which means several hundred thousand people will still receive the free pick?up. The ones who are being targeted are not happy (Photo by Mark Boster/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
San Diego, California – In a contentious but historic vote on Monday evening, the San Diego City Council approved a long-debated ordinance that will require single-family homeowners to pay a monthly fee for solid waste pickup—breaking with over a century of precedent and igniting fierce debate over equity, trust, and the rising cost of living.
Beginning July 1, San Diego residents in single-family homes will pay $42.76 per month for three 95-gallon bins—trash, recycling, and organics—regardless of how much waste they generate. This marks the first time since 1919, when the so-called “People’s Ordinance” was enacted, that the city will charge these homeowners for basic trash service.
The move follows the passage of Measure B in 2022, which narrowly gave the city authority to collect fees for waste disposal. Yet many residents who backed the measure now say they feel misled. The city originally estimated monthly fees of $23–$29, but a post-election audit revealed the number of households served was nearly 60,000 fewer than assumed—causing the fee to balloon. A revised fee structure, delayed services, and proposed assistance programs brought the amount down, but not without public backlash.
Monday’s meeting drew more than 100 public speakers, most of whom opposed the fee. Seniors on fixed incomes and low-trash-producing households voiced concerns over fairness and affordability. Some questioned the legality of the process, calling it a “bait and switch,” and several attorneys indicated lawsuits may follow.
“This is not a new cost, this is a cost that has been borne by those who do not receive city services,” said Councilman Sean Elo-Rivera, pointing out that multi-family residences and renters have long paid for private waste services. Critics of the People’s Ordinance have long argued it unfairly benefited single-family homeowners—often wealthier residents—while others subsidized their service through general fund contributions.
Councilman Raul Campillo, who voted against the ordinance, echoed the trust concerns: “The final product is not what the majority of the city voted for.”
The city received 46,000 formal protests—far below the 113,000 required to block the measure. City officials say the new revenue will prevent $80 million in cuts to the city’s upcoming budget. They’ve pledged $3 million toward financial assistance programs for lower-income households.
San Diego diverts just 32% of its waste from landfills, far from its 80% target. Officials hope consistent service, including weekly recycling, will push that number upward—especially with the Miramar Landfill projected to reach capacity by 2031.
The council will reconvene June 24 to finalize billing logistics.
