UPDATE: As of May 20, 2026, the fees for the 2027-2028 tax year have changed. See below for more details.
Homeowners who live within City of San Diego limits have a trash pickup charge on their property tax bill, which started July 2025.
Beginning that tax year, which runs from July 2025 through June 2026, City residents are charged for trash pickup. This charge is a line item on the property tax bills.
2027 Update
In May 2026, the City decided to lower these charges for the 2026-2027 tax year. Here is the old schedule:
The new 2027-2028 schedule, announced in May 2026, changes the Bundle Option 3 charge for the 2027-2028 tax year, from $55.00 to $38.75. This decreases the annual charge by $195.
Breaking a 100+ year tradition
For over 100 years, the City of San Diego offered free trash pickup service to residents and small businesses. This was established by the People’s Ordinance of 1919, Municipal Code Section 66.0127. Residents and small businesses were eligible for trash services from the City at no fee.
In 1986, voters amended the Ordinance. As a result, some residents on private streets and multi-family homes started paying a private trash company, while others continued to receive trash services at no extra cost.
Measure B
In 2022, voters passed Measure B, allowing the City of San Diego to charge for trash and recycling pickup, beginning on July 1, 2025. Owners of residential properties of 1-4 units saw the charge for the first time on their 2025-2026 property tax bill.
How Much Is it?
For the 2026-2027property tax year, the monthly cost for trash and recycling pickup in the City of San Diego was $44.57 per month for standard 95-gallon bins. There was also an option to choose a smaller 65-gallon trash bin for $39.86, or a 35-gallon trash bin for $33.66. If you choose a smaller trash bin, you still receive the larger 95-gallon recycling and organics bins. There is also the option to pay for additional bins. See full pricing here.
As of May 2026, this pricing sheet hasn’t been updated to include the newly adjusted prices for the 2027-2028 tax year.
Your Property Tax Bill
If you are a City of San Diego homeowner, your property tax bill contains one line item for the year. For example, if you have the $43.60/month package, you will see one single annual charge of $523.20. This charge, along with the rest of your property tax bill, is divided into two equal installments.
More Property Tax Questions?
You can check out my article about property tax calculation, or contact me with any questions.
