Steve Welty

Issue# 52

June 2025

Happy Saturday, Housing Heroes!

For decades, if you owned a single-family home in the City of San Diego, your trash pickup was free. It’s been that way since 1919. But after over 100 years, that tradition is coming to an end.

This week, the San Diego City Council voted to start charging homeowners for trash collection, with fees rolling out as soon as this summer.

What does that mean for you? Whether you’re a landlord or a homeowner, it means another monthly cost — and it’s not optional.

Let’s break down what’s changing, who’s paying, and what you need to prepare for.

What’s the New Trash Fee?

Starting July 1, 2025, San Diego will begin phasing in fees for city-managed residential trash collection. Here's the deal:

Monthly cost: About $29/month by 2026
Initial charge: Around $13/month starting in mid-2025
Applies to single-family homes that receive city collection (approx. 285,000 households)

This change is the result of Measure B, which voters narrowly approved in 2022, giving the city the authority to charge for residential trash pickup for the first time in over a century.

Why Is This Happening?

The city claims it's about fairness and sustainability:

Until now, homeowners got free trash, while condo and apartment residents paid for private pickup
City leaders argue the new fee will help close a $70M gap in sanitation costs
They say the funding will improve service quality, equipment, and infrastructure

Like it or not, this is happening. And if you’re a landlord? That cost might be headed your way — unless your lease agreement pushes it to the tenant.

What You Need to Know as a Housing Provider

If you own rental property in San Diego, here’s your action plan:

Check your lease agreements
Who covers trash service? If it’s you, prepare to absorb or adjust for this new cost. If it’s the tenant, make sure that’s clearly spelled out.

Plan for the real cost — not just the base fee
While $13/month is the starting point, expect to pay $50–$60/month per home by the time full service is included.

Communicate early with tenants
If you intend to pass this along, give plenty of notice and stay compliant with local rental laws.

Understand what's included (and what’s not)
The base fee only covers black bin trash service. Recyclables, organics, and bulky pickup are separate — but still charged to you.

Track official updates
Details around billing, exemptions, and service levels are still in development. Expect more clarity from the city in the coming months.

The Bigger Picture

While $29/month may sound manageable, the actual $50–$60/month is a big jump — especially for owners managing multiple properties. Multiply that across 5, 10, or 20 doors, and you’re looking at thousands in new annual costs.

This trash fee could be the first of many local cost shifts as cities deal with budget gaps and infrastructure upgrades. It’s a good time to start tightening up your lease terms, utility pass-throughs, and operating plans.

What You Can Do

Contact your city council representative. Let them know that if they’re charging new fees, they should deliver better service, not just new bills.

🎥 How SB381 Will Impact CA Renters and Landlords in 2025

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