How a decades-old state law can stop a trash fee for San Diegans

City staff have proposed a monthly full-service rate of about $53 for trash pickup. That would increase to roughly $65 in 2027 when more trash and recycling services are added. Customers willing to use smaller trash bins — 35 gallons, instead of the normal 95 gallons — would pay less: about $42 per month, with their rate rising to $52 in 2027.

These new estimates are twice the amount the city’s Independent Budget Analyst office predicted in 2022, before San Diegans voted to amend what’s known as “The People’s Ordinance” and allow the city to start charging residents for trash pickup.

Charles Modica, head of the IBA, acknowledged during an Environment Committee meeting last month that his office’s estimates were off – largely due to not accounting for inflation and using an inaccurate count of the city’s customers.

Modica said during the meeting that the IBA will release a new report of the fee estimates this month.