If the proposed New Trash Fee is not successfully protested by property owners who receive city trash services, the initial fee added to property tax bills for Fiscal Year 2026 will be $571.08.

Quick Access to the Protest Form for the Trash Fee can be found here: measure-b-prop-218-mailer.pdf

The New Trash Fee program – a result of the passage of Measure B from 2022) was supported by six of the nine councilmembers for the City of San Diego and therefore passed the Council Vote. Councilmember Marni von Wilper of District 5 voted against moving forward with the Trash Fee.

While the vote on Measure B allowed all registered voters in San Diego to participate, the direct impact of the measure primarily falls on property owners— a specific subset of the population.

Due to Proposition 218 – the ability for the subset of the population impacted (property owners that receive city trash services) by the fee to protest is required by state law. However, property owners who do not submit a protest form are counted as not opposing the fee, which is being interpreted as tacit approval. This process is designed to streamline decision-making while still allowing property owners a chance to voice opposition.

The city must receive protests from over 50% of property owners affected in order for the New Trash Fee to be rejected. Anything under that number will be considered approved by the Property Owners.