San Diego residents will soon see a brand-new charge on their bill—or even on their property tax statement—thanks to a recent vote under the Proposition 218 process. On June 9, 2025, the San Diego City Council approved a Solid Waste Management Fee, ending a long-standing tradition of free trash pickup for most single-family homes and 2-4 unit multifamily properties.

 What Just Happened With San Diego’s New Trash Fee?

After a months-long public notice and protest process required under Prop 218, the City Council voted 6–3 in favor of implementing the new trash collection fee. Although nearly 46,000 residents submitted written protests, that number fell far short of the 113,000 (or 51% of affected parcels) needed to block the proposal.

 June 24 2025 Vote – How is it paid?

On June 24th, the San Diego City Council officially approved the implementation of the new residential trash collection fee. The council voted to include the charge on residents’ annual property tax bills beginning in July 2025. This decision marks a major shift from the previously free service and is intended to recover the full cost of trash, recycling, and organic waste collection.

 What Will the Fee Be?

• First-Year Rate (FY 2025–2026):
  $43.60/month for a standard 95-gallon trash bin
  (Includes separate recycling and organic bins)
• Collection Method:
  If approved on June 24, the fee will be billed via annual property taxes
• Adjustments:
  Rates may be adjusted in future years to reflect cost-of-service studies, but are bound by Prop 218’s requirement that fees do not exceed the cost of providing the service
• Multifamily Bundles: Calculate your fee’s here: Trash Service Fee Calculator

 Who Does It Affect?

This new fee only applies to customers who currently receive city-provided trash services, which includes:

• Single-family homes
• Small multi-unit buildings (up to 4 units) that receive city trash service
• Owner-occupied units where the City provides the bins

If your building contracts with a private waste hauler, you are not affected by this fee.

 What Landlords Need to Know

Many residential leases—particularly single-family and small multifamily—include trash as a landlord-covered expense. With the new fee, landlords should take a close look at how their leases are structured.

 Prop 218 Defines Trash as a Property-Related Fee

This new Solid Waste Management Fee is considered a property-related fee and may be added to the property tax bill starting this year.

 You Can Pass It Through—But Only If Your Lease Says So

Landlords may pass this fee on to tenants, only if their lease explicitly allows it. Lease language must include a clause for utility or municipal fee pass-throughs.

 Mid-Lease Changes Require Caution

You cannot add this fee mid-lease unless:

• The lease already allows it, or
• You issue an addendum and the tenant agrees to it (and the original lease permits such amendments)

 New Disclosure Rules Are Coming

San Diego is considering a new Tenant Utility Fee Ordinance, which would require:

• Clear disclosure of any municipal pass-throughs (like trash)
• Itemized documentation upon request
• Proof that charges reflect actual costs

 Pro Tips for Landlords

 Why Is This Happening Now?

Historically, San Diego has been one of the few California cities that provided free trash collection to certain homes under the People’s Ordinance of 1919. But rising costs, new organic waste mandates, and pressure for budget balance prompted the shift to a San Diego Trash Fee. Under Prop 218, cities must notify the public, hold a protest period, and ensure any fees reflect actual cost of service—which the City claims this new fee does.

 Key Takeaways

• Fee approved: $43.60/month for trash, starting July 1, 2025
• Applies to: Single-family and some small multi-unit properties with city trash service
• Next step: June 24 vote to place the fee on property tax bills
• Landlords: Only pass it through if your lease allows—otherwise revise it at renewal and prepare for new disclosure rules