On April 14, 2025, the San Diego City Council approved setting a date for a public hearing regarding a proposed trash and recycling collection fee. According to local news reports, the council yesterday approved the proposed June 9 hearing date in a 6-3 vote. The council, reports say, directed the city’s independent budget analyst and city staff to prepare a series of cheaper options to be presented by the June 9 date.
The proposal, introduced by the Environmental Services Department after a year of community outreach and a detailed cost-of-service study, aims to shift the cost of residential waste collection—currently covered by the City’s General Fund—to property owners through a new monthly fee.
San Diego is unique in California for not currently charging single-family homes directly for trash services, unlike apartment dwellers and HOA members who pay private companies. The proposed fees—reduced from initial estimates shared in February—are: $36.72/month for a 35-gallon bin, $42.88/month for a 65-gallon bin, and $47.59/month for a 95-gallon bin. Each residence would also receive one blue (recycling) and one green (organic waste) bin, with options to purchase extras.
The fee, if implemented, would be collected via property tax bills starting July 1, 2025, with enhancements such as increased service reliability, free bin replacements, and advanced tracking systems. Additional services, including bulky item pickup and more frequent recycling collection, are proposed for 2027, potentially tied to further fee adjustments.
The City will follow Proposition 218 procedures, including notifying residents by mail and holding a public hearing at least 45 days later. Compared to other California cities, San Diego’s proposed fee remains among the lowest, according to an April 14 press release from Mayor Todd Gloria’s Office. For details, visit cleangreensd.org.