San Diego is implementing a phased transition for certain residential properties to switch from city-provided waste collection to private franchise haulers. This change affects properties that do not meet the city’s eligibility criteria for municipal collection services.
Eligibility Criteria:
Properties ineligible for city collection services include:
- Residential properties with five or more units on a single lot.
- Mixed-use and commercial properties.
- Properties located on private streets or within gated communities.
- Properties requiring access via private streets, even if the address is on a public street.
- Properties lacking sufficient space to store the necessary city-issued containers for trash, recycling, and organics between weekly collections.
- Complexes where some residences are ineligible for city collection, necessitating the entire complex to use a private hauler.
Transition Deadlines:
The city has established deadlines based on current trash collection days:
- Monday collection: Transition by July 1, 2025
- Tuesday collection: Transition by July 15, 2025
- Wednesday collection: Transition by August 1, 2025
- Thursday collection: Transition by August 15, 2025
- Friday collection: Transition by September 1, 2025
Failure to transition by the assigned deadline may result in service interruptions and potential enforcement actions, including Notices of Violation and Administrative Citations by City Code Compliance Officers.
Steps for Transition:
- Review Franchise Haulers: Consult the list of city-approved private franchise haulers and evaluate their service offerings.
- Select and Establish Service: Choose a hauler that fits your property’s needs and set up trash, recycling, and organic waste collection services.
- Container Exchange: On the start date of the new service, leave all city-issued containers at the collection point for at least 48 hours to facilitate their removal and replacement with the new hauler’s containers.
- Notify Residents/Tenants: Inform all residents or tenants about the upcoming changes, including the new service start date, collection day, and recycling guidelines.
Informational Sessions:
The city is hosting informational workshops and webinars to assist residents with the transition:
- June 2, 2025, 3:30 PM: Pacific Highlands Ranch Library, 12911 Pacific Pl, San Diego, CA 92130
- June 4, 2025, 4:00 PM: Online Webinar via Zoom
- June 10, 2025, 5:30 PM: Linda Vista Library, 2160 Ulric St, San Diego, CA 92111
- June 11, 2025, 5:30 PM: Online Webinar via Zoom
For more detailed information, including the list of approved haulers and guidance on the transition process, please visit the City of San Diego’s official page on transitioning to private hauler trash service.
