Starting July 1, 2025, most single‑family households in America’s Finest City will see a $43.60 line on their utility bill, while thousands of others must find private haulers.
San Diego’s century‑old promise of free trash pickup is ending. Under a new ordinance, eligible homes—roughly 1.4 million residents—will keep city service for a monthly fee of $43.60 (about $523 a year). Everyone else? They’ll need to sign a contract with a private company or risk losing service.
Who must start paying the new San Diego garbage collection fee and why it matters for homeowners and renters alike
The city defines “eligible” as single‑ or multi‑family dwellings (maximum four units) that sit on public streets. That still leaves an estimated 21,000 properties out in the cold. Wondering if your address made the cut? Check these ineligible categories:
- Residential buildings with five or more units
- Mixed‑use or commercial properties
- Homes on private or gated streets
- Lots requiring trucks to cross private roads
- Complexes lacking space for city‑issued bins
- Partial complexes where some residences already rely on private haulers
If your property appears above, you’ll need to act fast—or face interrupted service.
Deadlines, authorized private haulers, and what to do if you are not eligible for the city’s paid trash pickup program: Ineligible residents must hire one of five city‑approved companies like these, Republic Services, EDCO, Universal Waste Systems, Ware Disposal, or WM (formerly Waste Management).
| Former City Pickup Day | Deadline to Hire Private Hauler |
|---|---|
| Monday | July 1, 2025 |
| Tuesday | July 15, 2025 |
| Wednesday | August 1, 2025 |
| Thursday | August 15, 2025 |
| Friday | September 1, 2025 |
Missed your window? “Keep proof you’re actively searching,” advises Andrea Deleon, the city’s deputy director of environmental services. Residents who show rejection letters from haulers can request deadline extensions.
Potential penalties, possible service gaps, and how to secure an extension when private haulers are overbooked across San Diego neighborhoods
Failing to arrange pickup is a municipal code violation that can trigger administrative citations—no one wants fines piled higher than last week’s trash, right? Yet the city promises leniency for owners stuck on waiting lists. Present documentation of outreach efforts and continue working with officials to avoid suspension.
Still unsure what step comes next? Call the city’s Environmental Services Department or visit its website’s interactive map to confirm eligibility, fee amounts, and bin sizes.
Free curbside garbage collection ends this summer, replacing a 1919 rule with a pay‑to‑toss model. Eligible households pay $43.60 monthly; ineligible properties must contract privately by dates tied to their old pickup schedule. Review your status, budget accordingly, and line up service before deadlines sneak up—because nobody likes surprises on trash day.