In a significant move after years of debate, the San Diego City Council voted on Monday to implement a new trash fee for property owners who have been receiving trash pickup services for free.
Beginning next month, affected property owners will start paying an initial fee of $43.60 per month, which is set to gradually increase each July until 2028.
This decision comes on the heels of the narrow passage of Measure B nearly three years ago, which allowed the city to charge for previously free trash services.
At the time of the measure, voters were only provided with an estimated fee of $23 to $29, but subsequent analyses revealed that the actual fees would be significantly higher.
On June 24, the City Council will determine the billing method for property owners, choosing between monthly bills or adding the charges to the county tax roll.
If the latter option is selected, property owners will see the fee reflected on their 2026 tax bill, which will not exceed $523.20 annually.
Jeremy Bauer, an assistant director at the city’s Environmental Services Department, emphasized that charging through tax rolls is more cost-effective than establishing a separate billing operation.
From July 1, the trash fee will take effect, and property owners will have the opportunity to select from various container sizes to potentially lower their fees.
However, in the first year, even those who opt for smaller containers—35-gallon or 65-gallon bins—will still be charged based on the largest 95-gallon size, with a promise of reimbursement for those who downsize in the following year.
The newly approved fee will primarily affect single-family homeowners; however, it will also extend to owners of townhomes and duplexes under four units on a single parcel.
Property owners who rent out these eligible properties may pass the cost onto tenants, though an ordinance aimed to protect renters from excessive charges is expected to pass soon.
In terms of financial assistance, while the revenue generated from the fees cannot be allocated for aid programs, the city’s Environmental Services Department has proposed a $3 million funding request from the general city fund to support such initiatives.
Criteria for financial aid could be established based on household income and property tax payment delinquencies.
Further changes will impact trash and recycling services in San Diego.
Starting in October, the city plans to replace all existing trash containers with new, microchipped bins designed to improve service efficiency and reduce unauthorized bin usage.
Additionally, recycling pickups are set to switch from a biweekly to a weekly schedule by 2027, which officials assert will decrease the volume of recyclables that end up in landfills.
To ensure waste management is efficient, the city will enhance collection services, implement upgrades to garbage trucks, and hire new staff to ensure no pickups are missed.
Furthermore, efforts will be made to explore the addition of electric vehicles into the waste collection fleet.
Environmental organizations have largely voiced their support for the trash fee, stating that improved services will extend the lifespan of the Miramar landfill.
With the current landfill nearing capacity by 2031, enhanced recycling measures are deemed crucial in diverting waste and improving sustainability.
Councilmember Sean Elo-Rivera argued during the meeting that the fee introduces fairness, as many residents have been paying private trash haulers for years, while others have received city services for free.
He acknowledged that adding a new expense is not ideal for households in a city already notorious for its cost of living.
“This isn’t a new cost,” Elo-Rivera noted, “It’s a cost that’s been borne by people who do not currently receive city-provided waste services.”
Despite the council’s approval, public sentiment towards the fee has been mixed, with some community members feeling misled about the earlier estimated costs associated with Measure B.
Councilmember Raul Campillo expressed his disapproval by voicing concerns over what he described as a ‘bait-and-switch’ tactic regarding the unexpected fee hike.
The approval of the trash fee also plays a critical role in addressing the city’s current budget deficit, which San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria estimated at $258 million.
Proposals to balance the budget have included contentious cuts, along with anticipated revenue from the newly approved trash fees.
City officials had previously considered Measure E, a proposed one-cent sales tax, which failed to pass in the last election and would have helped alleviate the deficit.
Public protests against the trash fee failed to halt its passage, as not enough residents filed written protests to meet the 51% requirement mandated by Proposition 218.
The city received approximately 46,000 protests, well below the necessary threshold of over 113,000.
Dwayne Bullock, a local resident and city sanitation driver, acknowledged the cost but noted that he sees the potential benefits of improved waste management services.
“I don’t want to pay more in trash, but I do understand having to pay more,” Bullock remarked, reflecting a sentiment shared by many in the community.
As San Diego adapts to this new trash fee structure, ongoing discussions about its impacts on residents and the environment are expected to continue.
image source from：https://inewsource.org/2025/06/12/trash-recycling-weekly-pickup-new-fee-passes-san-diego/
