This table lists common issues reported through Get It Done and their estimated resolution timeframes. The length of time it takes to resolve an issue can vary based on available budget and due to weather, seasonal, or other local impacts.   
 

Report Type	Estimated Timeframe	Description
TRASH COLLECTION, RECYCLING, AND GRAFFITI
Container Left Out	14 days
Dead Animal	3 days
Dumpster Encroaching on Public Right of Way	14 days
Graffiti Removal	Public (City-maintained): 5 days   Private Property - Code Enforcement: 377 days	Graffiti response time varies based on what type of property the graffiti is located on.   Graffiti located on private property can require code enforcement, which adds time to the process.   Note: Companies are responsible for painting out graffiti on their assets, such as utility boxes and dumpsters. Reports may be referred to the responsible party to be addressed.
Illegal Dumping	5 days	Depending on the type and location of illegal dumping, this type of report may take less than a week or up to 6 months to resolve, if code enforcement actions are involved.  Reports of Illegal Dumping associated with Homeless Encampments should be submitted under the “Homeless Outreach / Encampment” reporting option and may incur additional delays if submitted as “Illegal Dumping.”
Missed Collections	5 days** **When not associated with a known route delay.	Learn more about Collection Service Impacts. Missed trash/recycling container pickups need to be reported to the Environmental Services Department no later than 5 p.m. on the following day after the missed collection to get return service. If container was tagged, please refer to the information left by the driver on the tag and correct the issue.
Overflowing Dumpster	14 days
STREETS, SIDEWALKS, AND LIGHTS
Curbs	Damaged Curb: 730 days Faded Paint: 150 days
Damaged Guardrail	50 days
Faded Striping	575 days
Pothole	10 days (20+ during significant rain events)	Learn more about Pothole Repair and Street Resurfacing.
Sidewalk Repair Issue	6 days for mitigation/temporary repair; permanent repairs 8+ years	Learn more about Sidewalk Repair.    Sidewalk uplifts are temporarily ramped or patched as soon as possible following reports to City crews. Sidewalk repairs involving concrete work take longer.    Often, repairs are the responsibility of the adjacent property owner.
Street Lights	500 days	ONLY emergencies and safety issues responded to at this time.
Street Sweeping	30 days
Traffic Sign	250 days
Traffic Signals	Signal Issue: 15 days Signal Timing: 10 days	High priority traffic signal issues are addressed within 24 hours.
BICYCLE, SCOOTER, AND VEHICLE ISSUES
72 Hour Vehicle Violation	25 days	The time it takes to resolve this type of problem can take longer, due to the code enforcement process.
Bicycle Related Issues	300 days	Variable accuracy due to low report volume.
Parking Zone Issue	1 day	Monitored Monday – Friday, 7 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.  For urgent issues outside of this time frame, please call (619) 531-2000.  If this is an emergency, dial 9-1-1.
HOMELESS OUTREACH / ENCAMPMENT
Homeless Outreach / Encampment	14 days	Learn more about what happens when a homeless outreach / encampment is reported. Visit the City's Homeless Strategies & Solutions Department website for more details.
TREE MAINTENANCE
Tree Maintenance (Non-Emergency)	150 days to complete tree work, if work is needed	Emergency tree work is immediately dispatched for service. Other reports of tree maintenance are addressed as soon as possible, depending on the severity of the issue.
Vegetation Encroaching on Sidewalk/Street	629 days	Due to steps required in the code enforcement process and a backlog of open reports, this type of report is taking longer than normal.
STORMWATER AND DRAINS
Illegal Discharge	60 days
Over Irrigation	60 days
Storm Drain	90 days
Street Flooded	3 days** **Responds to emergencies within 24 hours.

SHORT-TERM RESIDENTIAL OCCUPANCY (STROs)
STRO Violations	88 days

 

ADA SERVICES
ADA Compliance Issue	The department assigned to a valid case will respond to the reporter within 30 days. Full case resolution may take several months.

Last Updated: 8/4/25

Not all reports are handled within the Get It Done system. Some reports may be referred to an agency outside the City (for example, Caltrans or AT&T), or to another department within the City that is not yet connected to the Get It Done system. 

When a report is in the “Referred” status, you’ll receive an email indicating to whom the report was referred. The referral party receives an email with your report details. The status is not updated for reports referred out of the system.

Report suspected Fraud, Waste, or Abuse involving City employees, vendors, or operations online, or call 1-866-809-3500.

The California Department of Motor Vehicles handles the issuance of Disabled Person Parking Placards and License Plates. Please review the website for the most up-to-date information.

This is a County government function.  For more information, please visit the County's website or call (619) 237-0502.

You can make an appointment online or by calling the Office of the City Clerk at 619-533-4000.

When experience an issue that is considered a “public nuisance,” such as a noise complaint, please follow these steps: 

1. Notify the local contact. (To find the local contact, search this map.)

If your local contact does not reply within the allotted 1-hour (or the reply is insufficient): 

1. Report the issue on Get It Done; and,

2. Report the issue to the SDPD non-emergency line at 619‑531‑2000 or 858-484-3154 

A "Public Nuisance" is defined by California Civil Code Section 3479 as any condition caused, maintained or permitted to exist which constitutes a threat to the public's health, safety and welfare or which significantly obstructs, injures or interferes with the reasonable or free use of property in a neighborhood, community or to any considerable number of persons. 

License requirements are not the same for all operators and depend on the tier of license the operator obtained. 

There are four potential tiers a STRO can fall under, and this information can be found on the license itself or by searching the City’s database of active licenses:

• Active STRO License Map
• STRO License Data Set: https://data.sandiego.gov/datasets/stro-licenses/ 

Tier 1 specific requirements 

• A Tier One License is required for home share or whole home short-term residential occupancy for an aggregate total of 20 days or less per calendar year 

• The host does not need to reside onsite with a Tier 1 license 

Tier 2 specific requirements 

• A Tier Two License is required for home share short-term residential occupancy for an aggregate total of more than 20 days per calendar year 

• Home share with a Tier Two License is only allowed in the host’s primary residence 

• The host must occupy the host’s primary residence for no less than 275 days of the calendar year in which the primary residence is rented as a home share 

Tier 3 specific requirements 

• A Tier Three License is required for whole home short-term residential occupancy outside the Mission Beach Community Planning Area as for an aggregate total of more than 20 days per calendar year 

• There is a two consecutive night minimum stay by the same guest requirement 

Tier 4 specific requirements 

• A Tier Four License is required for whole home short-term residential occupancy within the Mission Beach Community Planning Area for an aggregate total of more than 20 days per calendar year 

• The same guest must meet two consecutive night minimum 

Before submitting a Get It Done report, please notify the local contact of disturbances at the STRO. 

If the local contact failed to take appropriate action within an hour of the complaint being reported or the disturbances persist, report the violation on Get It Done.

People can submit complaints for licensing and operating violations specified in the STRO Ordinance. For information related to STRO noise violation or other “public nuisances” please refer to this FAQ article.

Operating Violations 

Operating violations are incidents related to an occurrence at an appropriately licensed rental. In a Get It Done Report, residents can report the following operating issues: 

• STRO Notice Not Visible or Legible  

• Excessive trash in private property  

• Local contact not responding within 1 hour  

• Local contact responded within 1 hour but did not actively discourage or prevent the nuisance activity  

• Business operations at STRO (massage, surfing classes, wedding venue, etc.) 

Other operating violations can still be reported as “Other”. 

Licensing Violations 

Licensing violations are incidents related to the operator’s license itself. In a Get It Done Report, residents can report the following licensing issues: 

• Unauthorized / No STRO License  

• Non-compliant structure used for STRO (ADUs, JADUs, Companion Unit, Guest Quarters, etc.) 

Other licensing violations can still be reported as “Other”. 

Please note that license requirements vary based on the tier of license the operator obtained.  

More information on tier-specific requirements can be found on our FAQ “What are Short-Term Rental Occupancy (STRO) Tiers, why do they matter, and where can I locate this information?”.

STRO violations are processed by the City's Building & Land Use Enforcement Division, which cannot open investigations based on anonymous complaints.

Because of this, STRO violations require a valid reporter address to be processed.

STRO can only occur at a legally permitted dwelling unit that is free of code violations. 

In addition, STROs are not allowed at the following locations: 

• Income-restricted affordable housing units 

• Student housing, dormitories and Single-Room-Occupancy buildings 

• Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) and Junior Accessory Dwelling Units (JADU) permitted & built after September 2017 

• Guest houses, guest quarters and guest’s units regardless of when they were built or permitted 

• Shipping containers and outdoor sleeping areas 

• Vans, recreational vehicles (RVs), boats or similar watercraft 

• Illegal garage conversions, unpermitted units, unpermitted structures, illegal conversions of basements to habitable space, tiny homes, huts, tents, plastic domes/glamping 

• Commercial office/retail or industrial (warehouse) spaces 

STRO is the occupancy of a legal dwelling unit or part thereof for less than a month. STRO can also be a home-share operation typically sharing a portion of a dwelling. 

Due to recycling and diversion activities, the number of tons of trash buried at the Miramar Landfill decreased from a peak tonnage of over 1.57 million tons in 2005 to almost 910,000 tons in recent years.  

Waste generated within the San Diego city limits is also buried in other landfills (i.e., in addition to Miramar Landfill). In 2020, the overall disposal tonnage was approximately 1.54 million tons.  In comparison, over 1.99 million tons were disposed of in 2005.  

To minimize odors, you can slow down the decomposition process and keep your bin clean with the following tips:

• Collect your food scraps in a small container and place it in your freezer before emptying it into your outdoor green bin.
• Drain as much liquid as possible from wet food scraps before adding to the green bin.

• Wrap food scraps in a paper towel or paper napkins, old newspaper, or paper bag before tossing them in the green bin.

• Layer yard trimmings then food scraps inside the bin with a layer of yard trimmings at the top to act as a cover.

• Sprinkle baking soda in your green bin.

• Keep your green bin in a shaded area with the lid closed at all times.

• Rinse your green bin with mild soap and water when necessary. Make sure to pour dirty water onto your lawn and not in the storm drain.

Yes, the City of San Diego offers 35-, 65-, and 95-gallon trash, recycling and organics recycling containers. Pricing is based on the size and quantity of containers selected in the Residential Waste Collection Services Portal.

Please note, the fee for the bundle includes a 95-gallon recycling container and a 95-gallon organics container, and the fee for an additional recycling or organics container includes a 95-gallon container. If you prefer a smaller recycling or organics container for reasons unrelated to solid waste management services (e.g., if you would like a smaller size due to space considerations), the City will make one available, but the fee would be the same. Learn more about container types, sizes and associated cost.
 

California state law mandates that all residents and businesses reduce organic waste (food scraps and yard trimmings) sent to landfills. It is one of the easiest things we can do to curb climate change.

No, products labeled “compostable” or “biodegradable” including items such as bags, takeout containers, coffee pods, food packaging, cups, plates and service ware are not accepted in the green bin. Items displaying a green or brown symbol and bioplastics, which are plastics made from organic material rather than fossil fuels (Polylactic PLA and #7 labeled plastics with a chasing arrow are examples of bioplastics) are not accepted in the green bin. As a reminder, please do not recycle PLA or other types of compostable or biodegradable plastics in your recycling bin. All compostable or biodegradable products should be placed in the trash bin.

San Diego’s Miramar Greenery composting facility cannot break down these types of compostable products. If these items are placed in the green composting bin, they will cause contamination and diminish the quality of the finished compost.

Residents and businesses can place food scraps, food-soiled paper and yard trimmings in their organic waste recycling bin. Learn more about organic waste recycling.

Plastic bags are not accepted in green bins because plastic does not decompose and is considered to be trash, which does not belong in the finished compost product. At the Miramar Greenery facility, compostable and biodegradable bags also do not consistently break down, are difficult to sift out, and result in contamination that decreases the quality of compost. The finished compost should be free of contamination and of good quality for use on soils.

We discourage the use of plastic liners to avoid additional waste. If you use plastic liners, please make sure to empty the contents into the green bin and throw the plastic liner in the trash bin.

Yes, dairy products may go in the green bin.

To keep your green bin clean try:

• Wrapping your food scraps in paper napkins, paper towels, newspaper or a paper bag.
• Placing food in the freezer or refrigerator and taking it to the organic waste bin before scheduled pickup. Frozen food scraps slow down the decomposition process and can help prevent odors and pests.
• Keeping your green bin lids closed and out of direct sunlight, if possible.

The City is complying with a state mandate that includes financial penalties for non-compliance following an extensive educational outreach phase. Organic waste recycling keeps food and yard waste out of the landfill, which helps reduce the amount of methane released into the atmosphere. Reducing what we throw in the trash helps San Diego get closer to the City’s Climate Action and Zero Waste Plan goals of zero waste by the year 2040. Zero waste means diverting as much material and resources from the landfill through reducing, reusing, recycling and composting.

When the bin and pail arrive, each household can make a big difference for the environment by collecting food scraps and food-soiled paper in their kitchen pail and discarding the contents into the green bin, along with yard trimmings and clean wood, and setting the green bin out for collection weekly at their normal trash collection location.

The contents in the organic waste bins will be processed at a facility where it is turned into a nutrient-rich soil additive for farmers and gardeners to grow food and plants. As a result of so much organic material being processed into compost, our soils will benefit greatly!

Solid Waste Code Enforcement Officers are assigned to sections of the City to help citizens keep their neighborhoods clean. They patrol neighborhoods served by the curbside programs and respond to waste related code violations reported by residents.

To report illegal dumping, please do so via Get It Done.

"Larger Waste Items" are bulky or sizable items that are discarded in public spaces or the public right of way. These items are generally substantial in size and can include things like:

• furniture
• appliances
• mattresses
• large bags or piles of waste
• large pieces of construction debris

Litter consists of smaller, usually lightweight items that are discarded or left in public areas. Common examples of litter include:

• pieces of trash
• candy wrappers
• cigarette butts 
• food containers 
• plastic bottles

The San Diego City Council approved a new Solid Waste Management Fee on June 9, 2025. Because the newly adopted fee includes the costs of containers, the San Diego City Council repealed the separate, existing fees for containers, including delivery fees. Effective July 1, 2025 repairs and replacements to damaged containers are available at no additional cost, including delivery. 

State of California law and the City of San Diego’s Municipal Code prohibit the landfilling of vehicle tires unless the tires are permanently reduced in volume by shredding or cutting lengthwise (like a bagel). The City charges a tire manifest fee of $67 per load in addition to regular disposal fees for loads of shredded or cut tires. For a list of locations to dispose of tires in San Diego County, visit wastefreesd.org

The Miramar Recycling Center is run by Allan Company and located at the entrance to the Miramar Landfill. 

The Center is a drop-off site for numerous other recyclable materials: newspaper, glass (clear, blue, brown and green), mixed paper, cardboard, aluminum and tins cans, and plastic ( and ). 

In addition to TVs and computer monitors, all computer electronics are now accepted for free! Tires and some metals are also accepted. There is a small fee for recycling scrap metal. 

The Center accepts and will pay a California Redemption Value for aluminum cans, and all plastic beverage containers including #1 and #2, and all other beverage containers marked with "CA Cash Refund" or "CA Redemption Value." 

For more information, call Allan Company at the Miramar Recycling Center at 858-268-8971. 

 

Green bins will be placed on the street, next to the curb, in front of your residence.

We are delivering thousands of containers every day and in many areas in San Diego, which will result in bins next to parked cars. We hope everyone can understand this one-time inconvenience and help ensure their neighbor gets the right bin. We will not block any ADA or handicapped parking.

The City of San Diego recently delivered the existing green containers in 2023 when we rolled out the new curbside organic waste collection program. Since these containers are still relatively new, they will only be adjusted if the property owner selects a different size than they currently have or if they select additional containers. 

If your property still has the original green yard waste container, the City will update these to the standard organic waste container later in 2026.

Even when you use reusable bags for groceries, you will accumulate some bags from other sources - produce bags, bread bags, tortilla bags, newspaper bags, etc. These are great for pet waste. Try going without a trash can liner. You can rinse your trash can periodically. This is a great option now that organic waste is going into a separate green organic waste recycling bin. If “going without” is not feasible, recyclable trash can liners are also available for purchase at reasonable prices. 

The new containers are not available for pick up at Collection Services. New container will be delivered to your property beginning October 2025 through 2026. The gray trash containers will be delivered first to all eligible properties. Light blue containers will be delivered on a second visit. If you selected a different size or number of green organic waste containers in the Portal, those will be delivered on a third visit. If you currently do not have a green organics container at all, please let us know at trash@sandiego.gov and we will provide one as soon as practicable. 

As of July 1, 2025, there are no additional charges for container repairs or replacements to damaged containers, including delivery. This service is included in your Solid Waste Management Fee at no additional cost.

You may continue to use your existing store-bought containers at this time, but once your property receives its new gray (trash) and light blue (recycling) containers, the City will discontinue servicing any store-bought containers. 

As of April 1, 2023, food vendors may only distribute plastic (and bio-plastic) straws and utensils upon the request of the customer and/or provide them at self-service stations. 

The distribution of most polystyrene foam products is prohibited. This includes food service ware such as: egg cartons, bowls, plates, trays, cups, lids, hinged containers and other similar items designed for one-time use for prepared foods, including containers for eating in, takeout food or leftovers. 

Learn more at: https://www.sandiego.gov/environmental-services/recycling/pf-ban 

According to a life cycle assessment conducted by California State University Chico, reusable bags made from recycled polyethylene have a lower environmental footprint than plastic bags after as few as eight uses. They use 50% less energy, have a 40% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions and use of solid waste disposal capacity, and use 30% less water than a single-use plastic bag. 

Polystyrene foam products are typically used one time before being discarded, and due to their light weight can easily become litter. Polystyrene foam litter breaks down into small pieces which do not biodegrade and often end up in streets, canyons, waterways, storm drains, and eventually the ocean, where it harms wildlife that mistakenly ingests it.  

Plastic straws are a significant contributor to marine pollution and are among the most common forms of litter collected on California beaches. They are not accepted in local recycling programs.  

The Single Use Plastic Reduction Ordinance will help San Diego reach its Zero Waste goals and help maintain clean and beautiful beaches and public spaces. The Ordinance will also meet the objectives of the City’s Climate Action Plan.   

All single-family and multifamily residences serviced by the City; and privately serviced businesses, commercial/institutional facilities, multifamily properties, mixed-use facilities and City-permitted special events are required to recycle.  

Commercial facilities are buildings that people do not live in and include, but are not limited to, industrial or manufacturing, restaurant, retail, office, hotels, shopping centers, theaters, non-profit organizations, churches, private schools and some government entities (those not considered State agencies).  

Multifamily properties are apartments and condominiums with two or more residences on a single lot.  

Mixed-use facilities which have most of its square footage devoted to residential uses will comply with residential requirements.  

Mixed-use facilities which have most of its square footage devoted to commercial uses will comply with commercial facilities requirements. 

The City Recycling Ordinance is a mandatory policy requiring the public to separate and recycle mixed recyclables and organic waste materials at residences, businesses, mixed use facilities and permitted special events.

All residences, businesses, mixed-use facilities and permitted special events must recycle food scraps. 

The City adopted the ordinance to  

• Reduce greenhouse gas emissions that includes the short-lived climate pollutant methane  

• Meet the state recycling requirements  

• Increase the recycling of materials  

• Meet zero waste goals 

Click here to read the full recycling ordinance.  

As part of the City of San Diego’s participation in the Mattress Recycling Council’s Bye Bye Mattress program, San Diegans can drop off mattresses and box springs at the collection site located on the east side of the entrance to the Miramar Landfill on Convoy Street. 

Mattress collection hours are 7:00 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday (the site is closed on Saturdays and Sundays). 

The following items are unacceptable. Search for recycling, donation or disposal options on WasteFreeSD.org:

• Severely damaged, wet, twisted, frozen or soiled mattresses or box springs.
• Items infested with bedbugs.
• Mattress pads or toppers.
• Sleeping bags and cots. 
• Pillows, cushions, blankets, sheets and other loose bedding.
• Car beds. 
• Infant carriers, lounge pads or crib bumpers.
• Juvenile products such as carriages, baskets, cribs, bassinets, dressing tables, strollers and playpens, crib bumpers or their pads.
• Waterbeds, collapsible rollaway beds, or camping air mattresses. 
• Foldout sofa beds, futon frames/bases.
• Household furniture.
• Mattress or box spring in a cardboard box or plastic bag. 

Additional mattress recycler, renovator, or drop-off location can be found at: byebyemattress.com

 

If your trash/recyclables were not collected and your property is located outside the impacted areas, please use Get It Done to Report a Missed Collection or download the Get It Done mobile app. 
 
Prior to reporting a missed collection, please review the following possible reasons why your collection was missed: 

• The Container Is Damaged: Cracked and/or damaged containers, including lids, may not be serviced. Please check your containers for damage and contact the Environmental Services Department at the information below if you require a replacement. 

• The Container Is Too Close to Obstacles: Containers within three feet of a parked car, another container, or other obstacles in the right of way create challenges for collection crews. Please ensure adequate spacing between containers and obstacles to allow the collection crews to service the containers safely.  

• The Container Is Overflowing: Containers with overflowing materials and/or large protruding objects such as poles, 2x4’s, cardboard boxes, or other long objects create a hazard and may not be serviced by collection crews. Please ensure that all contents fit within the container to allow for safe disposal by collection crews. 

• The Container Is Under an Obstacle: Telephone wires, low hanging trees, and basketball hoops can all create overhead obstacles for our collection vehicles. Please ensure your container is not under these obstacles.  

• The Container Was Not Placed Out on Time: Containers need to be placed out for collection by 6 a.m. the day of scheduled service.  

• Wrong Collection Week: Recycling collection occurs bi-weekly. Please check the collection schedule. 

Did you know that each day the Collection Services Division provides over 104,000 service stops? That means that each supervisor is responsible for ensuring 15,000 customers receive safe and effective service each day. We provide the tips above as they are the most common reasons service is missed. We are committed to the highest level of customer service and will review all Get It Done reports.   
 
We appreciate your patience. If you have any questions, please call the Environmental Services Department Customer Care Center at 858-694-7000. You may also visit the Collection Services Division page to learn more about collection operations. 

Container serial numbers are alphanumeric, typically printed on the front of trash, recycle, and organics containers. 

The photo below identifies the location of the serial number.



For more information please see Container Frequently Asked Questions.

If your container is lost or stolen, please fill out the Replace Missing Container report on Get It Done or contact the Environmental Services Department at (858) 694-7000 or trash@sandiego.gov.

The City is delivering new gray trash and light blue recycling containers to your property, replacing your current black trash and dark blue recycling containers. Deliveries will occur from October 2025 through 2026.  You will continue to use your existing green container(s) unless you select a different size or number in the Portal. If your property still has the original green yard waste container, the City will update these to the standard organic waste container later in 2026.

If your current container(s) cannot be serviced and need to be replaced prior, please submit at Repair or Replace Damaged Container request on Get It Done or contact the Environmental Services Department at trash@sandiego.gov or (858) 694-7000 to request a replacement.

The City will be delivering new gray trash and light blue recycling containers directly to your home starting in October 2025 through June 2026. (Find your estimated delivery date.) When your new containers are delivered, please leave all existing City-issued containers on your curb for the City to remove and recycle. 

If any City collection containers are not removed in this process, please contact the Environmental Services Department at (858) 694-7000 or e-mail trash@sandiego.gov to schedule a container removal. Please have the serial number, located on the front of the container, ready to share. You may also bring unwanted City-issued containers to the Environmental Services Department’s Collections Services storefront at 8353 Miramar Place, San Diego, CA 92121. Hours of Operation: Mon.-Fri. 8 a.m.-4 p.m. 

If you are in possession of non-City-branded containers, it is your responsibility to dispose of them. Plastic or metal containers can be broken down and placed in your blue recycle bin. Alternatively, in the spirit of "reduce-reuse-recycle," there are many ways to repurpose old trash cans for storage or use around your property to help collect waste in which the contents can be disposed of in the appropriate curbside container. 

Illegal dumping is a Waste Code violation and may need to be assessed by a Solid Waste Code Enforcement Officer.
 
Illegal dumping is dumping of any waste, whether it is oil, furniture, appliances, trash, litter or landscaping cuttings, etc., upon any public right-of-way, City property or private property, without consent of the owner.

The Environmental Services Department's Code Enforcement team patrols City neighborhoods daily to deter illegal dumping and investigate complaints. Community help is essential to catching and deterring illegal dumps.
 
The City encourages anyone who encounters an illegal dump that has already taken place to report it through Get It Done using the Illegal Dumping report type. If you observe someone illegally dumping, please take down the following information:
 

• Date, time and location of incident
• Description of vehicle and license plate number
• Description of person(s) dumping
• What items/materials were being dumped
• Your name and phone number (optional)

For more information please see Illegal Dumping and Illegal Dumping, Littering and Scavenging Frequently Asked Questions.

 

Residents wanting to report code violations need to fill out an Illegal Dumping Report or call Environmental Services' Code Enforcement Section at 858-694-7000. Before calling, please be ready to give as much of the following information as possible: 

• Problem location. 
  • Description of waste (such as pile of trash in front yard, couch dumped in alley). 
  • Your name and phone number(optional/confidential). 
• Scavenging report: 
  • Description of person(s) scavenging. 
  • Description of vehicle/license plate number if used. 
  • Date/time of occurrence. 
  • Problem location. 
• Illegal dumping (eyewitness report): 
  • Date/time and location of incident. 
  • Description of vehicle/license plate number if used. 
  • Description of person(s). 
  • Description of waste dumped
  • Need your daytime phone number. 

As a resident, you can prevent scavenging by placing your recycling container out no later than 6 a.m. the morning of your trash collection, rather than the night before. 

Find your Trash Collection Schedule.

Look up your estimated Container Delivery date.

Currently, the City does not handle the removal of abandoned shopping carts. 

To report a cart, please do via RMS at: https://www.retailsolutionshq.com/get-started

RMS is an independent contractor (not affiliated with the City of San Diego) that collects shopping carts based on agreements with specific stores in San Diego. Users are able to report carts 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and expect a resolution within 24 – 72 hours.  

All residences, whether City-serviced or private, are required to have recycling service per the City’s mandatory recycling ordinance.

If you are serviced by the City of San Diego, please contact the Environmental Services Department at (858) 694-7000 or e-mail trash@sandiego.gov to inquire about the services at your property. If you are serviced by a private franchise hauler, try reaching out directly to them or your property manager to inquire about recycling services at your property.

If you need additional assistance, email sdrecyclingworks@sandiego.gov and a Recycling Specialist will contact you. 
 

Please email sdrecyclingworks@sandiego.gov and a Recycling Specialist will contact your property owner or manager to notify them about the organic waste recycling collection requirement and guide them on how to order a new bin.

More than 90 auto product and oil change businesses within the City of San Diego are state-certified, used motor oil collection centers. Many of these centers collect oil filters too. Businesses that sell vehicle batteries usually take back the old battery for recycling. Check with the business at the time of purchase regarding the take-back policies. To find a location nearby, visit the Earth 911 website or call 800-CLEANUP. 

The City of San Diego Environmental Services Department hosts free Used Auto Product Recycling events at various location throughout the city. The City collects antifreeze, contaminated oil, oil filters, used motor oil and vehicle batteries at these events.  

If you have all types of household hazardous waste and auto products, you can also make an appointment at the City's Household Hazardous Waste Transfer Facility by calling 858-694-7000 (Monday-Friday, 6:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.). The facility is open on Saturdays to those with appointments only. 

Schedule a household hazardous waste appointment at https://getitdone.sandiego.gov/HazmatNewReportPage  

As An Individual:
San Diego city residents may call 858-694-7000 to schedule an appointment at the City's Household Hazardous Waste Facility. The facility is open on Saturdays to those with appointments only. For additional recycling/disposal options, go to the Links and Resources page. If you live outside San Diego City boundaries, then visit Earth 911 or call 800-CLEANUP.

As A Business:
Businesses may obtain information on proper disposal by calling the County of San Diego's Department of Environmental Health at 858-505-6700. If you already have a contract with a hazardous waste transporter, check with the vendor for pricing and disposal options. Some vendors offer a mail-back program. For additional recycling/disposal options, see Links and Resources.

How to report a dead animal varies depending on where the animal is located. Please do not put dead animals in refuse collection containers. 

City Public Right-Of-Way 
To request the removal of a dead animal from the public right-of-way, use the City's "Get it Done" app or call Environmental Services at (858) 694-7000 from 6:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.  

Unincorporated County or County Roads 
To report a dead animal on County roads or in the unincorporated areas of San Diego County, call the Singh Group, the County contractor, at 760-539-0012. This is a 24-hour line. 

Private Property (only for a fee) 
To request dead animal removal 24/7 from a private property anywhere in San Diego County, call 619-390-8204. There will be a fee. 

CalTrans District 11, San Diego & Imperial Counties State Highways 
To report a dead animal on state highways, call 619-688-6670 or 619-688-6699.

At the Miramar Greenery, yard waste and food scraps are processed into compost in a Covered Aerated Static Pile system. The organic waste material is ground up and placed in 100-foot-long piles on top of perforated pipes. The pipes attach to a fan that blows air into the piles. A special fabric cover is placed on each pile and causes condensation that provides moisture. The air and moisture allow for microorganisms to convert the material into compost. During this process, the piles reach temperatures as high as 160℉ that eliminate harmful microorganisms known as pathogens but maintain beneficial soil nutrients.

One of the other processes used to recycle organic waste can even create natural gas, which is trapped and cleaned to power vehicle fleets and generate energy.

Cleaning services for bins used inside your business are subject to the terms of your collection service contract with your waste hauler or a contract with an independent bin-cleaning service. If your business has an organic waste dumpster, waste haulers are responsible for maintaining these outdoor dumpsters.

There are a number of reputable companies in San Diego that will recycle your appliances for free or a nominal fee. Some companies offer a pickup service, and others offer drop-off sites around the County. Companies tend to accept different appliances, although the most common include refrigerators, freezers, ranges, ovens, clothes washers and dryers, dishwashers, microwave ovens, room air conditioners, trash compactors and water heaters. Please visit WasteFreeSD.org to find a service near you.

The Miramar Recycling Center also accepts various appliances such as refrigerators, freezers, air conditioners, stoves, washers and dryers, hot water heaters, small computers, and household electronics for a fee.

Some retailers that sell rechargeable batteries voluntarily participate in collecting spent rechargeable batteries. Visit the Rechargeable Battery Recycling Corporation web site or call 800-8-BATTERY to find a nearby location. 

Effective July 1, 2006, the Rechargeable Battery Recycling Act of 2006 requires retailers that sell rechargeable batteries to consumers to provide rechargeable battery recycling and disposal. 

There are many reputable companies in San Diego that will recycle electronics for free or nominal fees. Some companies offer pick-up services, others offer drop-off sites around the County, and some manufacturers offer an online mail-back program. 

Electronic devices can contain heavy metals such as cadmium, chromium, copper, lead and lithium. Most of the electronic devices can be recycled at the Miramar Recycling Center located at the entrance to the Miramar Landfill. Call 858-268-8971 for information on acceptable items and fees. Call Environmental Services at 858- 694-7000 for assistance in finding other recycling centers in San Diego County. If you are a business with large quantities of electronic devices, see Links and Resources for collecting and recycling your electronics. 

• If an electronic device still works or just needs minor repair, consider donating it to a local charity or thrift store. Reusing electronics helps benefit those who cannot afford new electronics. If you need assistance in finding a charity or thrift store, call Environmental Services at 858-694-7000. 

Automated Refuse Collection facilitates safer and more efficient collection of residential trash. Standard sized and shaped trash containers are distributed to households. The containers are easily grasped by a hydraulic arm on the automated trucks that dump the trash into an overhead compartment. 

Not only does automated collection reduce driver injuries associated with regular trash collection, it also increases refuse collection efficiency.

Solid Waste Code Enforcement Officers investigate waste related code violations, which include: 

• Trash/junk on City and private properties, street and alley rights of way. 

• Overflowing dumpsters/containers. 

• Refuse/recycling containers left out beyond collection hours. 

• Illegal dumping. 

• Litter. 

• Scavenging. 

• Recycling contamination. 

• Dumpsters encroaching rights of way. 

• Franchise violations. 
  
  These violations can be reported using Get It Done's "Trash Collection, Recycling and Graffiti" service types.

Read about recycling to learn how, what and where residents, businesses and the military can recycle.

In California, it is illegal to dispose of electronic devices (computers, monitors, televisions and other electronic devices) in the regular garbage or recycling containers.

Residents can find an approved recycler to properly dispose of unwanted e-waste here: Earth911 or by visiting this webpage for a list of e-waste recycling locations. The City also hosts community-wide clean-up events throughout the year.

A helpful reminder is: if it grows, it goes in the green organic waste recycling bin! If the waste item grew out of the ground or off a tree then it is capable of decaying and should be added to your organic waste recycling bin. Acceptable items include fruit and vegetable peels; coffee grounds and filters; plate scrapings including rice, beans, cooked food; food-soiled paper napkins, plant clippings, other yard trimmings; and untreated wood waste.

California Senate Bill 1383 (SB 1383) requires all residents and businesses to reduce organic waste (food scraps, food-soiled paper and yard trimmings) sent to the landfill. When organic waste decomposes in a landfill, it releases methane, a harmful gas that traps the sun’s heat and contributes to climate change. Recycling organic waste will result in compost or clean energy and will help reduce the impacts of climate change.

Designated businesses that generate large amounts of surplus edible food will be required to have an edible food donation program. The City sent a notification mailer to businesses that were identified as Tier One Commercial Edible Food Generators under SB 1383 criteria and need to have an edible food recovery program.

You will be able to login to the City's Residential Waste Collection Services Portal with your user ID and password to remove a property from your account. You will also be able to remove a property from your account by calling 858-694-7000 if you're able to provide information to verify your identify. 

Note: If ownership of the property has recently changed, the property will automatically be removed from your account when the City receives updated ownership information from the County.

Requests for City-provided refuse and recyclables collection services will be reviewed to determine if the property is eligible under the criteria in the City of San Diego Municipal Code and Waste Management Regulation. You will be notified of the determination of eligibility and a collection start date as soon as the evaluation is completed.
 

The City will start delivering new gray trash and light blue recycling containers in October 2025 through June 2026. You will continue to use your existing green container, unless you select a different size in the Residential Waste Collection Services Portal. 

If your container is damaged but serviceable, it is advised that you wait to repair or replace any containers to streamline the delivery process and ensure your containers correspond to the service level selected in the Residential Waste Collection Services Portal. For containers that cannot be serviced, please contact the Environmental Services Department at 858-694-7000 or trash@sandiego.gov to request a replacement to avoid any service disruptions.

Make sure that all contractors and subcontractors are well informed about the City of San Diego Construction and Demolition (C&D) Debris Deposit Ordinance , and involve them on the recycling plan for the project. Add specific language to contracts, holding contractors and subcontractors responsible for compliance with your waste plan.

The new containers are not available for pick up at Collection Services. New containers will be delivered to your home starting in October 2025 through 2026. The gray trash containers will be delivered first to all eligible properties. Light blue containers will be delivered on a second visit. If you selected a different size or number of green organic waste containers in the Portal, or you do not have a green container already, those will be delivered on a third visit.

If you requested a new 65- or 35-gallon trash container during the open enrollment period, you will receive a rebate on your 2026/2027 tax statement based on the amount of time before June 30, 2026 that you received your smaller container. You will start earning the rebate effective upon delivery of your new container because the rates for the 35-gallon trash bin bundle and the 65-gallon trash bin are lower than the 95-gallon bundle. Learn more about the Solid Waste Management Fee.

A Certified Mixed C&D Recycling Facility accepts commingled loads of most of the C&D debris. The materials are then sorted by the facility and marketed separately. A mixed C&D load generally includes materials such as metals, untreated wood, inert materials, drywall, concrete, asphalt, carpet padding and foam, pallets, clean dirt, cardboard packaging and yard waste. 

Inert materials are a combination of asphalt, concrete, dirt, fines, rock, brick, sand, soil and stone. 

Any containers purchased prior to July 1, 2025 that have been received or picked up from Collection Services are not eligible for refunds. If you have purchased a container and not received it yet, please contact the Environmental Services Department at 858-694-7000 or trash@sandiego.gov.

Starting Oct. 1, 2025, the City of San Diego offers 35-, 65- and 95-gallon trash, recycling and organic waste recycling containers. Pricing is based on the size and quantity of containers selected in the Residential Waste Collection Services Portal. Note the fee for the bundle includes a 95-gallon recycling container and a 95-gallon organic waste container, and the fee for an additional recycling or organic waste container includes a 95-gallon container. If you prefer a smaller recycling or organic waste container for reasons unrelated to solid waste management services (e.g., if you would like a smaller size due to space considerations), the City will make one available, but the fee would be the same.

Learn more about container types, sizes and associated cost. 

All projects generate waste, and if your project falls under the City of San Diego Construction and Demolition (C&D) Debris Deposit Ordinance requirements you are expected to submit the required Waste Management Form, pay the refundable recycling deposit, and recycle at least 65% of your project's debris.

Getting used to new habits takes a little time and practice. Keep your reusable bags in the car and invest in a small, collapsible bag that can be attached to your keychain for quick shopping trips. If you don't have a lot of items, you could try going "bagless" and carry your items to the car in your cart or arms. 

The City does not offer cart cleaning services and will not exchange dirty containers. Learn more about how to keep your containers clean.

The ordinance requires recycling of plastic and glass bottles and jars, paper, newspaper, metal containers, cardboard, rigid plastics including clean food containers, jugs, tubs, trays, pots, buckets and toys and organic material including yard trimmings, non-hazardous wood waste, food scraps, and food-soiled paper.  

If any of your old black or blue containers were not removed when your new containers were delivered, please submit a container removal request.

Preferred: 

Material	Product	Comments
Reusable service ware* (ceramic, glass, reusable plastic, etc.).	Reusable plates, bowls and cups.	Wash and reuse.
Paper (coated or uncoated).	Bowls, plates, trays, cups, hinged containers, boxes.	Recyclable if dry and free of food and food residue.
Aluminum.	Trays, lidded containers, wrap.	Recyclable if free of food.
Plastic (rigid, non-foam).	Bowls, plates, trays, cups, lids, hinged containers.	Recyclable if free of food.

 

 

NOT Preferred: 

Material	Product	Comments
"Compostable" and "biodegradable" plastic, sugarcane, bagasse, bamboo, molded fiber and other similar items.	Bowls, plates, trays, cups, hinged containers, boxes, lids, wrap.	Not recyclable, must be placed in trash. Not accepted in local recycling or composting programs. Does not help San Diego reach its zero waste goals.

 

Ask your current supplier about alternatives to polystyrene foam. You may also check these other cities' lists of alternative products: 

• City of San Jose 

• City of San Francisco 

Once your gray trash container is delivered, you will have 30 calendar days to request additional containers, swap the size of your trash container or update your recycling or organic waste container selections through the Portal. Please wait one business day after the delivery of your container to request a service level adjustment. There is no separate swap-out period following recycling and organic waste container deliveries. You will have to wait until July 2026 to make any further adjustments.  

All changes can be made through your Residential Waste Collection Services Portal account. Visit sandiego.gov/trash for more information.

According to a 2011 CalRecycle report on plastic bag recycling collected in California stores, plastic carryout bags were recycled at a 3% rate in 2009. Despite establishing a statewide infrastructure for plastic bag recycling, recycling efforts for plastic bags have largely failed.  

Curbside recycling is not a viable option for plastic bags because they clog the sorting machines at the recycling facility, causing major delays, wear and tear on the equipment, and increased costs. 

Yes. Old containers will be removed from your property, and new containers will be delivered and brought up to your property.

Sign up for email and/or text alerts in the Residential Waste Collections Services Portal. If you do not already have a Portal account, we recommend you create one now. That way, your account is ready to go if you need to make any adjustments. You will also unlock benefits like the ability to see your property’s service and fee history. Visit sandiego.gov/trash to get started.

The old containers will be removed on the same day that your new containers are delivered. The City’s container vendor will recycle all of the old containers and use the material to make new containers or other products.

Containers will be delivered to the normal collection point.

The Portal enrollment window closed on Sept. 30., and the ability to make service level changes has been temporarily locked. You must wait until your new gray trash container is delivered to change the size of or select additional trash, recycling or organic waste containers.  

Once your gray container is delivered, you will have 30 calendar days to request a size swap of your trash container, update your recycling or organic waste container selections or order additional containers through the Portal. Please wait one business day after the delivery of your container to request a service level adjustment. There is no separate swap-out period following recycling and organic waste container deliveries. You will have to wait until July 2026 to make any further adjustments.  

To make changes to your service level, please create an account in the Residential Waste Collection Services portal. All changes can be made through your Portal account. Visit sandiego.gov/trash for more information.

If you did not make a service level selection in the Portal, you will receive one 95-gallon gray trash container, one light blue recycling container, and the 95-gallon green organics container, if you do not already have one on your property. 

If your property needs more than this minimum, you should request additional containers through your Portal account.

Once your gray trash container is delivered, you will have 30 calendar days to request a size swap of your trash container, update your recycling or organic waste container selections or order additional containers through the Portal. Please wait one business day after the delivery of your container to request a service level adjustment. There is no separate swap-out period following recycling and organic waste container deliveries. You will have to wait until July 2026 to make any further adjustments.  

All changes can be made through the Residential Waste Collection Services Portal. Please log in or create an account to make your service level adjustments. Visit sandiego.gov/trash for more information.

When the City delivers your new containers, we will write the address number of the main lot on the lid. Please check with your neighbors if they may have accidently pulled yours onto their property. If you still cannot locate your container, please contact the Environmental Services Department at trash@sandiego.gov or 858-694-7000.

The City will be delivering based on your collection route on your scheduled collection day. It is recommended that you coordinate with a neighbor to ensure your old containers are set out for removal and that your new containers are moved to a secure place if you know you won't be home.

If there are already trash, recycling and organic waste containers at your new property, and the number of containers is right for you, no immediate action is required. If you would like to make changes immediately or if you would like to create an account immediately, you may log into to the Portal to create an account.  

However, there may be a delay between the date of the recent deed change and the date the City receives updated data from the County.  

If you are the owner of a new property or there has been a recent deed change for a property, there will be a waiting period as the County processes and verifies these changes. If you prefer not to wait and would like to create an account immediately to manage your trash, recycling or organic waste containers during this interim period, you may create a provisional account. Once the City receives updated data from the County, the "provisional" status of your property will automatically be removed if the ownership information you provided matches the County data. Until that time, you may add this property to your account as a provisional property in order to make waste service selections for it while you wait for the County to make your ownership official. Alternatively, if you do not need to make any changes to the containers, you can wait until you receive a mailer from the City with login information. 

There are no credible studies making a connection between reusable bags and foodborne illness and commonly quoted studies contain numerous flaws. One study simply shows that the same array of everyday bacteria found on our hands, clothes, and around our homes, can also be found on reusable bags. Another study never makes the connection between people who use reusable bags and people who become ill with foodborne illness.  

Using common sense, washing your hands, and washing bags when they get dirty, virtually eliminates any risk of illness. 

Log into your Portal account. If you don’t have a Portal account, create one and you will see the orders associated with your property. Visit sandiego.gov/trash for more information.

The Portal enrollment window closed on Sept. 30., and the ability to make service level changes became temporarily locked. When your new gray trash container is delivered, the Portal becomes unlocked for 30 days and you may change the size of or select additional trash, recycling or organic waste containers.  

Once your gray container is delivered, you will have 30 calendar days to request a size swap of your trash container, update your recycling or organic waste container selections or order additional containers through the Portal. Please wait one business day after the delivery of your container to request a service level adjustment. There is no separate swap-out period following recycling and organic waste container deliveries. You will have to wait until July 2026 to make any further adjustments.  

To make changes to your service level, please create an account in the Residential Waste Collection Services portal. All changes can be made through your Portal account. Visit sandiego.gov/trash for more information. 

The City will no longer collect from the black trash and dark blue recycling containers once your entire neighborhood receives the new gray and light blue colors. If they are found at the collection point once all new containers are delivered, the City will remove them.

Container deliveries will begin October 2025 and continue through summer 2026. Estimated delivery dates are available at sandiego.gov/trash.

There is no option to keep your existing City-provided trash and recycling containers. City crews will typically pick up and remove the old containers on the same day they deliver new ones, based on collection routes and service days. The old containers will be recycled to make new containers. The City’s new trash containers are gray, and its new recycling containers are a lighter shade of blue. The new colors will help the City’s sanitation drivers distinguish the new containers from the old ones. The City will no longer collect from the old containers after it rolls out the new containers.

Once your new container are delivered, the City will discontinue servicing any store-bought containers.

No. The City will only remove and recycle City issued containers. It is your responsibility to dispose of them. Plastic or metal containers can be broken down and placed in your blue recycle bin. Alternatively, in the spirit of "reduce-reuse-recycle," there are many ways to repurpose old trash cans for storage or use around your property to help collect waste in which the contents can be disposed of in the appropriate curbside container.

We are not able to accommodate delivery date requests due to the size and nature of the delivery efforts. The City will be delivering based on your collection route on your scheduled collection day. You can view your estimated delivery date here. It is recommended that you coordinate with a neighbor to ensure your old containers are set out for removal and to bring in your new containers if you know you won't be home. 

If you are unable to have someone pull your new containers onto your property, you may request to fully stop the delivery of your new containers. There are,  however, important things to note: Once the new containers are delivered to your neighborhood, the City will stop collecting from the old black and dark blue containers. It is your responsibility to coordinate with the Environmental Services Department contact center once you return to coordinate the delivery of your new containers to ensure your containers are properly serviced. We will not schedule a delivery for you far in advance. You will also continue to be charged at the 95-gallon bundle rate until your new containers are delivered.  

No. The City will be delivering all gray trash containers to all eligible properties in the first wave. Deliveries will occur on your regular trash collection day sometime between October and April. Light blue recycling containers will be delivered on a second visit. If you selected a different size or number of green organic waste containers in the Portal, or you do not have a green container already, those will be delivered on a third visit.

If you selected a different size or number of green organic waste containers in the Portal than you have your property, the City will exchange or deliver the new containers. If no changes were made, you will keep your existing container.  

If your property still has the original green yard waste container, the City will update these to the standard organic waste container later in 2026.

Place all trash, recycling and organic waste containers at the curb—even if they are not full or if we are not making adjustments to that container type. This ensures your household receives the correct new containers and that all old ones are picked up and removed.  

The removal of the old containers and the delivery of the new containers may not occur at the same time, but they are expected to be completed within the same day. Please leave all containers out to ensure proper removal.  

City residential trash customers can choose from two recycling container sizes: 64- and 96-gallons. Two ways to get an additional blue bin or trade a smaller blue bin for a larger size is to 1) have it delivered to your home for a $25 delivery fee, or 2) pick it up yourself at Collection Services at no charge. Call ESD Customer Service at 858-694-7000 to place your request. Residents may have a maximum of three recycling containers per home unless special authorization for more is granted. 

If you will be picking up your bin you will need to bring proof that you live in the City of San Diego. If your driver’s license shows a different address, a utility bill or water bill, along with a picture ID will be sufficient. You will be responsible for safely securing your container if you are using an open bed truck.  

The bin can be picked up at Collection Services, 8353 Miramar Place, San Diego, CA 92121, Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m.- 4 p.m. Closed on holidays. 

The City is providing weekly food waste collection. If you bring food waste to the landfill, you will be charged a flat rate fee, depending on the vehicle type. 

Special Handling Fees  

• Set at 1.5 times the Trash/Refuse fee.  

• Examples include tree stumps, large items, large poles, large pipes, dead animals, hard-to-handle materials, dismantled boats, or recreational vehicles.  

• The fee is to recover the additional handling required for these types of items. 

Fibrous Greens  

• Set at 1.5 times the Green fee.  

• Additional handling and processing is required to break down fibrous plant material, such as palm fronds. The fee is to recover the additional handling required. 

Green Material  

• We’ve consolidated fees for automated and manual greens. 

• Additional handling and processing is required to break down fibrous plant material, such as palm fronds. The fee is to recover the additional handling required. 

Food Material  

• Set at 1.5 times the Green fee.  

• Food material is subject to stricter requirements, must be processed within 30 minutes of its delivery, and must finish processing by the end of each day. The fee is to recover the additional handling required. 

Clean Wood  

• Set at 0.5 times the Green fee. 

• The cost of processing Clean Wood is estimated half of processing Greens.  

Exemptions  

• City residents will now pay for Greens and Clean Wood since weekly automated organic waste collection will be provided by the City and franchise haulers, this fee exemption is no longer necessary.  

Metallic Discards  

• We removed the Metallic Discard Waste Fee as metallic goods (refrigerators, washing machines, dishwashers, etc.) are not accepted for disposal at the Miramar Landfill. These items go to Recycling Centers.  

Uncovered Loads  

• We increased the Uncovered Load fee to $50 for all vehicles to reduce litter, increase safety, and keep San Diego clean.  

• Per CVC 23115(a) No vehicle transporting garbage, swill, used cans or bottles, waste papers, waste cardboard, ashes, refuse, trash, or rubbish, or any noisome, nauseous, or offensive matter, or anything being transported for disposal or recycling shall be driven or moved upon any highway unless the load is totally covered in a manner that will prevent the load or any part of the load from spilling or falling from the vehicle. 

Commercial facilities, multifamily properties serviced by a private hauler, and permitted special events should select from Franchise Haulers and Certified Recyclable Material Collectors (CRMC) who are authorized to operate in the City of San Diego for collection service needs.  

• Franchise Hauler Directory  

• CRMC Directory  

City-serviced residential properties will receive weekly organic waste recycling service in 2023. Advance notice of the organic waste collection service will be sent to the address on file.  

To request collection service assistance or additional blue or green recycling containers, please contact Environmental Services at 858-694-7000, trash@sandiego.gov or by submitting a GetItDone request. Visit the Trash Collection Schedule webpage to search your address and check if your property is serviced by ESD Collections.  

To find out how to dispose of waste items not accepted in the trash or recycling (such as light bulbs, batteries and other hazardous waste), please visit WasteFreeSD.org. 

Severely damaged, wet, twisted, frozen, or soiled mattresses or box springs must be discarded in the trash. 

The City contracts with two companies to process and market the materials collected in the curbside program: EDCO Disposal (san-diego.edcodisposal.com) and Allan Co., www.allancompany.com/facilityaddresses.htm . These companies operate Materials Recovery Facilities that sort out the commingled materials for recycling through a series of manual and mechanical sorting. 

First the material moves down conveyor belts past workers who pull off cardboard for recycling and contaminants for disposal. Then the material moves over a disk screen and air classifier that allows containers to fall through to another conveyor belt. That conveyor belt moves materials to a magnet to take out steel food cans and then sends plastics down one conveyor belt where more workers sort the types of plastic into their categories and glass down another line to be sorted by color. The paper gets separated into newsprint and mixed paper and travels on conveyor belts where workers further refine and clean the material. For a virtual tour of the Allan Company facility, visit www.allancompany.com/slideshow/recycleprocess.htm 

The processors market the materials to manufacturers who turn them into new products: paper into new paper products, packaging and furniture; plastic into containers, clothing, carpet, plastic lumber, flower pots, car parts and more; aluminum into drink cans, airplanes, car parts or anything made out of aluminum; food cans into anything made of steel, including car parts, machinery, building materials, etc.; glass into new glass containers, decorative tiles, road reflectors, jewelry, tableware, and more.  

Environmental Services can provide free help to set up or improve your facility’s recycling program, help educate your employees and tenants about recycling requirements, assess any space or container setup constraints and assist you with correcting a violation. 

Contact sdrecyclingworks@sandiego.gov or customer service at 858-694-7000 for assistance.  

Visit recyclingworks.com for more information on the City of San Diego Recycling Ordinance, how to comply, exemption criteria, educational signage and lists of franchise haulers. 

The City is providing weekly collection for greens. Residents who bring greens to the landfill will pay the flat rate fee for the appropriate vehicle tier category. 

We created a three-tiered system for self-hauled vehicles, and established two new flat rate tiers for larger vehicle types including rental box trucks such as U-Haul and Penske and heavy vehicles and containers. We also consolidated fee categories to reduce the overall number of fees.  

Fluorescent and other mercury-containing lamps exhibit hazardous characteristics and are classified as a type of hazardous waste called “universal waste”.  

Universal wastes are hazardous wastes that pose a lower immediate risk to people and the environment when handled properly. Due to this lower risk, universal wastes can be handled and transported under more relaxed rules compared to other hazardous wastes. 

To learn more about managing universal waste, please go to: https://dtsc.ca.gov/UniversalWaste/universal-waste-for-residents-fluorescent-lamps/  

No, the MRC’s Bye Bye Mattress Program is a network of collection points and recyclers. It does not provide curbside pickup for individuals.  

Please note that the City of San Diego does not provide bulky item pickup or curbside pick-up services. 

All residences, businesses, mixed-use facilities and permitted special events must recycle food scraps. 

You can recycle your project's Construction & Demolition (C&D) debris on-site or take them to Certified Recycling Facilities. If space is available, grinding asphalt, and/or concrete on-site to use as a base for the construction phase can save you money. This practice is also environmentally responsible as it decreases the need for hauling the materials off-site, decreasing pollution and traffic. It also reduces the need to purchase and haul-in new material for a job that can be done with the material that is already on site.

The simplified fees were implemented to reduce wait times at the scales and improve the customer service experience at the Miramar Landfill. We’ve also included new or adjusted methodology for flat rates, special handling, fibrous greens, green material, food material and clean wood. 

All privately serviced residences, businesses and mixed-use facilities are required to have the full suite of trash, recycling and organic waste recycling services. Self-hauling recyclables, backhauling recyclables or having collection service provided by a certified collector can be done in addition to these services.  

City-serviced residences will have trash, recycling and organic waste recycling collection service provided by the City of San Diego and must follow all City Recycling Ordinance requirements. 

It is not necessary to wash out your glass bottles and jars or aluminum and steel cans. Just make sure that any excess product is removed by dumping it out and scraping off the sides if necessary.  

However, plastic food containers should be rinsed clean. Remember to reduce water consumption by using the clean-up water after washing your cooking utensils. 

Yes.  

Please note: some recyclers will not accept loads in pick-up trucks. Make sure to clarify that with the Certified Recycling Facilities chosen before planning on bringing your Construction & Demolition (C&D) recycling loads to them. 

Different projects have different waste streams. For example, waste from a demolition phase of a project is very different from waste from the construction phase.  

There is also a variety of hazardous waste found at any construction and demolition site. Knowing the type of waste your project will generate will help you better manage the proper recycling of each material, saving you time and money. 

You can recycle a lot more! We are now able to take all clean rigid plastic food packaging, including dairy tubs, clear clamshells, cold drink cups, deli trays and berry baskets. You can also recycle plastic buckets, plant pots, bottles, tubs and even toys! No Styrofoam, plastic film, bags, or utensils. 

Contact ESD at 858-694-7000 or sdrecyclingworks@sandiego.gov to request a consultation to discuss your space constraints. A Recycling Specialist can discuss container configuration options and may schedule a site visit appointment to assess your collection area.  

If you are serviced by a franchise hauler, you may want to consider sharing recycling and/or organic waste recycling containers and service with a neighboring property with their permission and approval. The responsible persons (the individual or entity responsible for the management of solid waste for disposal or recycling) must ensure the full suite of trash, recycling and organic waste recycling services are provided by the same franchise hauler.  

For information on DPA, please visit Deferred Payment Account Services | Environmental Services | City of San Diego Official Website 

It is cost prohibitive to recycle plastic bags in the curbside program. The recycled bags have little value, and when collected in commingled programs they get badly contaminated, decreasing their value further. There are virtually no markets in the U.S. for curbside recovered plastic bags. A bigger problem with collecting plastic bags curbside is that they get tangled in collection and processing equipment, requiring maintenance that costs money and time, and creates inefficiencies for processing all the recyclables. 

Returning plastic bags to your supermarket is the most effective way to recycle them. The plastics stay clean and recyclable. The clean bags are backhauled to the chains' warehouses where they are baled and either returned to the original bag suppliers for recycling or sold to other markets such as manufacturers of plastic lumber. Even better is to bring your own reusable bags when you shop. 

Apartment and condo recycling, visit https://www.sandiego.gov/environmental-services/recycling/ro and look for the Multifamily Properties drop-down menu.  

Commercial and business recycling, visit https://www.sandiego.gov/environmental-services/recycling/ro and look for the Commercial drop-down menu.  

Curbside recycling collection, visit https://www.sandiego.gov/environmental-services/recycling/ro and look for the Single-family Homes drop-down menu. 

Construction and Demolition (C&D) recycling, visit https://www.sandiego.gov/environmental-services/recycling/cd.. 

Household hazardous waste disposal, lead and asbestos abatement, and appliance and electronics recycling, visit https://www.sandiego.gov/environmental-services/ep/hazardous.  

Miramar Greenery, visit https://www.sandiego.gov/environmental-services/miramar. 

Collection Services, visit https://www.sandiego.gov/environmental-services/collection.  

For other environmental, waste and recycling information, please call ESD Customer Service at 858-694-7000. 

Deconstruction, also known as salvage, can eliminate disposal costs and may also result in taxable donations. During the deconstruction process, hazardous materials are properly removed and reusable materials are properly salvaged for reuse at the same project or donated to reusable item stores, other individuals or non-profit building organizations. These include many items such as wood floors, doors, electrical and bathroom fixtures, bricks and blocks, steel beams and studs, lumber, windows, tiles, etc. The Certified Recycling Facilities list and map offer a list of recyclers in San Diego that will take salvaged materials. 

Remember to allow enough time at the start of the demolition phase for deconstruction. Postponing the beginning of demolition while construction details are worked out reduces the amount of time available to salvage or recycle during demolition.

No, only traditional mattresses and box springs are accepted. Futon mattresses are also eligible, but not their bases. Therefore, if it can’t be separated from the base, it is not eligible.  

Other furniture like sofa beds, crib mattresses, air mattresses and car beds along with other sleep-related items are not eligible. 

No, there is no need to remove the labels. They will be removed as the materials are processed for recycling. 

A variety of hazardous waste can be found at construction and demolition sites. 

It is necessary to identify and properly remove these items before starting any demolition/deconstruction project. The proper disposal of hazardous waste generated during construction projects must be established and well known by contractors prior to the beginning of construction. 

For information on the disposal of business-generated hazardous waste, call the County of San Diego, Department of Environmental Health, Hazardous Materials Management Division, Duty Specialist, at 858-505-6880. 

You must weigh your vehicle when empty on the outbound scale to obtain a City decal. We will record your vehicle tare weight. 

Pizza boxes not heavily soiled with grease, cheese and food are recyclable. If the bottom is too soiled, the top might be OK to tear off and recycle and the greasy side can be thrown out as trash. 

Tier 1: We consolidated Flat Rate fees for passenger vehicles and small trailers up to 9” in length. Tier 1 is for average loads weighing under one ton, including Car, Station Wagon, Crossover, SUV, Mini Van, Cargo Van, Pickup, Modified Pickup, Small Trailer up to 9’, Double Axle Trailer and Modified Trailer. The fee is set at the equivalent of the cost for a pickup, which is 80% of the small vehicle Flat Rate transactions. 

Tier 2: Average loads weighing between 1 and 2 tons, including Pickup/Trailer Combo, Trailer over 9’, Medium Trailer, Large Trailer, Box Truck, Medium Heavy, Heavy.  

Tier 3: Average loads over 2 tons including Bins/Containers, City Pup, Drag-on Tractor, End Trailer, Semi-End Dump, 3 Axle Truck, Front Packer, Side Packer, Rear Packer.  

Rates for each tier are based on the weighted average for all vehicles in the tier and Flat Rate Fees are for large vehicles that do not have a DPA or recorded tare weight. 

Yes, any mattress no matter when it was purchased is now eligible for free drop-off and recycling, providing it is not wet, heavily soiled or infested with bedbugs. Landfill fees may apply if your mattress is brought in with other waste. 

The Mattress Recycling Council is a nonprofit organization created by the mattress industry that operates a mattress recycling program in states that have passed mattress recycling laws.  

Visit MattressRecyclingCouncil.org for more information. 

Yes, recycle all junk mail and advertising. Be sure to remove any compact disks or product samples that might be enclosed. 

No. The paper is turned into a watery pulp before it becomes a new product, and while the paper is in a pulp phase, non-fiber material will be removed by skimming, straining and magnetic screening. 

All sectors in the City are required to abide by all requirements laid out by the City Recycling Ordinance. There are no exceptions to blue-bin recycling of plastics, glass, metals and paper. 

However, the City of San Diego does offer a De Minimis Waiver (Minimal Generation Waiver) for commercial entities who generate under a specific threshold of organic waste materials per week. A waiver may be granted towards organic waste recycling requirements if: 

• The commercial business’ total solid waste collection service is two cubic yards or more per week and organic waste comprises less than 20-gallons per week; or, 

• The commercial business’ total solid waste collection service is less than two cubic yards per week and organic waste comprises less than 10-gallons per week. 

Any site that makes food, serves food, or if your site is classified as a multifamily property, those sites are ineligible to apply for the De Minimis Waiver and are required to have organic waste recycling service in place. For a full list of business types ineligible for the De Minimis Waiver, please visit our City Recycling Ordinance webpage and look for the De Minimis Waiver drop-down menu. You may also find more waiver information there. You may also reach out to us with questions at sdrecyclingworks@sandiego.gov or by calling the Environmental Services Department at 858-694-7000. 

A lot of things can be recycled in the blue bin. Most paper products, including newspaper, office paper, cardboard, food boxes (including clean frozen food boxes), magazines and advertisements.  

• Paper products must be free of food waste, pet waste, oil or excessive dirt.  

• Cartons can now be included in your blue bin! Cartons include soup cartons, soy milk cartons, juice boxes, milk cartons, etc.  

• Empty glass bottles and jars are recyclable, along with their lids and empty metal and aluminum beverage and food containers can be recycled 

• Disposable aluminum bake ware and clean foil can also be recycled.  

Remember that an aerosol can that had contained hazardous waste cannot be recycled. If empty, dispose in the trash. If it contains product, it must be disposed as hazardous waste. 

A lot of plastics can now be recycled. In addition to the old favorites—bottles, jugs and jars—you can now recycle clean plastic food packaging containers, including round yogurt and dairy tubs, clear PET #1 clamshell plastic, drink cups, deli trays, and berry baskets. All containers must be clean and contain no food waste or trash.  

Accepted non-food plastics include plant pots and garden trays, along with rigid plastics such as buckets, toys, and containers that held non-hazardous household products such as detergent or pet litter. Other non-food plastics include large items such as plastic crates, totes, laundry baskets, pallets, and lawn furniture. These types of items must usually be broken down to fit into the blue recycling carts. If they are jammed into the carts or protruding out of the carts, the recycling truck may not be able to empty residences’ recycling cart  

For those who want more details, please reference the What Goes Where flyer. 

Yes, gift wrap made of paper is recyclable. But metallic, glitter-paper or plastic wrapping paper should be kept out of the blue bin. 

Soiled paper is not accepted in the blue bin. Also, chemically treated paper such as photographs, blue prints, and NCR (No Carbon Required) paper are not accepted. Sticky notes cannot be recycled. 

Bye Bye Mattress is a mattress recycling program operating in California, Connecticut and Rhode Island. Established by law and operated by the nonprofit Mattress Recycling Council, the program uses a recycling fee collected on each mattress and box spring sold to collect, transport and recycle used mattresses. It’s also helping combat illegal dumping.  

Visit ByeByeMattress.com to learn more about the program. 

Some tape is acceptable, but excessive tape can gum up production machinery and reduce operational efficiency, so you should try to remove as much tape as can easily be removed before recycling. 

No, do not separate the materials for recycling, with the exception of shredded paper. Shredded paper needs to be placed in a bag before putting it in the blue bin to ensure it does not fly around when your bin is serviced and create litter. A paper bag folded closed is preferred, but shredded paper is also accepted in a plastic bag. All other materials should be placed loose in the blue recycling bin. 

The responsible person(s) at the facility will be held accountable if a property is found to be out of compliance with the ordinance. A responsible person is the individual or entity responsible for the management of solid waste for disposal or recycling.  

• A written warning (Notice of Violation) will be sent to the responsible person(s) and a City of San Diego Code Compliance Officer will determine a follow-up date and the amount of time needed to reach compliance.  

• Free assistance will be offered to ensure the responsible person(s) understand the ordinance and any actions they must take in order to comply.  

If non-compliance continues, the responsible person(s) may be subject to enforcement actions including but not limited to criminal prosecution, civil injunction, administrative abatement, civil penalties, revocation of permits, recordation of the notice of violation and withholding of future municipal permits.  

The Code Compliance Officer may:  

• Issue an administrative citation. First offense citation fees begin at $50.  

• Issue a new follow-up date in accordance with the administrative citation.  

• Continue to coordinate technical assistance with a City Recycling Specialist.  

• Continue to issue administrative citations not to exceed $500 for each subsequent offense should compliance not be met on the code officer’s follow-up visits.  

• A $100 re-inspection fee will be issued for each inspection beginning with the third inspection.  

Additional information on how the law will be enforced can be found here. 

Yes! All metal and plastic lids can now be recycled. The lids should be put back on the containers for recycling.  

To recycle food container tops from cans, stick them back down into the container. The sharp edges can be a hazard for recycling workers and the lid’s flat profile can cause the lid to slip between belts and gears and damage the processing equipment. Try leaving a small part of the top attached to the can and then fold it into the can. 

You cannot put packing peanuts in your blue recycling bin. However, many mail houses such as UPS, USPS, FedEx, etc., will take them for reuse. Always call a business to confirm their current policy. Also, call the Peanut Hotline at 1-800-828-2214 for additional businesses that take packing peanuts. 

Fire Department complaint inspections are conducted when someone is concerned about a potential fire hazard. Complaints can relate to buildings or brush management/weed abatement. Only complaints within the City of San Diego and Port of San Diego are inspected.

As always, in an emergency dial 9-1-1.

For areas outside of the City, contact the jurisdiction of the address in question.

Complaints Related to Brush Management or Weed Abatement

A complaint about a fire hazard created by brush can be submitted by following the link below or by calling 619-533-4444.

See Brush Management/Weed Abatement for a description of "brush" and A City of San Diego Guide to Fire Safety and Brush Management for Private Property for brush management requirements.

Examples of common concerns related to brush management and weeds:

• Fire hazards to structures.
• Visual hazards to motor traffic, bicyclists or pedestrians.
• Physical hazards to motor traffic, bicyclists or pedestrians.
• An impediment in the right-of-way.
• An impediment to drainage.

Submit a Brush Complaint

 

Complaints Related to Buildings

Complaints related to fire and life safety concerns or fire access and protection in and around buildings can be submitted following the link below. For complaints involving conditions inside individual dwelling units, continue to Other Complaints Related to Buildings and Individual Dwelling Units.

Examples of common concerns related to fire and life safety:

• Emergency egress (locked or blocked exits)
• Fire alarm or sprinkler malfunction and maintenance
• Hazardous materials storage
• Overcrowding and unpermitted assemblies
• Fire lanes and fire access roads concerns

Submit a Fire and Life Safety Complaint

 

Other Complaints Related to Buildings and Individual Dwelling Units

Complaints about conditions inside individual "dwelling units" should be directed to Building & Land Use Enforcement (BLUE), the Office of the City Attorney's Nuisance Abatement Unit (NAU), or the San Diego Police Department (SDPD). 

A "dwelling unit" is a building or portion thereof that contains living facilities (i.e. provisions for sleeping, eating, cooking and sanitation). A dwelling unit could be a single-family home, an apartment in an apartment building, a condominium in a larger residential building, etc.

Examples of common complaints related to buildings and individual dwelling units:

• Public nuisances and abandoned properties (BLUE/NAU).
• Dangerous/unstable structures (BLUE/NAU).
• Uninhabitable living and substandard living conditions (BLUE/NAU).
• Accessory structures (BLUE).
• Unpermitted construction and dwelling units (BLUE).
• Food trucks, street vendors and sidewalk cafes (BLUE).
• Letter of Agency/trespass authorization (SDPD).

Certain report types, like Parking and Homeless Outreach/Encampments, allow you to self-close your report. To do so, open the initial submittal email and click the "Close Report" link.

If your initial submittal email does not include an option to close the report, just reply to the email and request that your report be closed.

In some cases, a MAD or PBID exists in your area that offers street litter abatement services. This will depend on individual district's budget, which is proposed by the respective Advisory Board and approved by the City Council. 

For a full map of existing MADs, please see here:

https://sandiego.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=dd4f11011ef244d4a1fca10f5428a5d9

To learn more about the enhanced services offered by a MAD or PBID, please see:

https://www.sandiego.gov/businessdistricts

The City of San Diego offers open public Wi-Fi at over 300 locations along with the option to check out laptops and cellular hotspots at select libraries. Visit SD Access for All for more details.

Reports of illegal dumping can be made through Get It Done.  Reports made through this system will be automatically referred to either the Environmental Services Department or the Parks & Recreation Department to be resolved.

If the situation is an urgent hazard, please contact the Public Works Customer Service Center (open 24 hours a day) at (619) 527-7500.

Reports of children playing near/around abandoned refrigerators or appliances is an urgent hazard. Please call (619) 527-7500.  If this is a life-threatening situation, call 9-1-1.

Report an animal-related emergency by calling the San Diego Humane Society (SDHS) at 619-299-7012 (press 1). For human-related emergencies, dial 9-1-1. For animal-related emergencies or animal cruelty reports after hours (SDHS dispatch line closes at 10 p.m.) please call the City of San Diego Police Department non-emergency dispatch line at 619-531-2000.

Animal-related concerns can also be reported via email at investigations@sdhumane.org, by phone at 619-299-7012 (8 a.m. - 10 p.m.), or submit a form to the SDHS Humane Law Enforcement.

The City of San Diego coordinates animal services operations with San Diego Humane Society (SDHS) which serves as its primary animal control agency. Services provided include dog licensing, lost and found, adoptions, microchipping, spay/neuter, vaccination clinics, educational programs and cruelty reports.

To provide the City with feedback regarding the San Diego Humane Society, please email AnimalServices@sandiego.gov.

Services

• Animal Licenses - All dogs, four months of age and older, must have a valid license and wear it at all times. Owners must demonstrate proof that dogs have been properly vaccinated for rabies in order to receive a license. More information can be found at the SDHS Vaccinations page.
• Lost or Found Pets - Visit SDHS during operating hours, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m., seven days a week. If you have a picture of your pet, please bring it with you.
• Dead Animal Removal - Please do not put dead animals in refuse collection containers.
  • Use Get It Done to report a dead animal in the City's public right-of-way or call the Environmental Services Department at (858) 694-7000 from 6:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. This is also the number to use for after-hours messages and emergencies.
  • The removal of dead animals from County maintained roads or facilities is a service provided by Singh Group. They can be reached by calling (760) 539-0012.
  • The removal of dead animals on freeways is handled by the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans).

City of San Diego Leash Laws
City Leash Laws - Dogs must be kept on a leash not to exceed 8 feet at all times except when at a designated off-leash area or confined to a residence or backyard. Leash law requirements are also enforced at City parks including canyons and trails. More information regarding the City's leash law can be found on the "Your Dog and City Parks" page.

Off-Leash Dog Parks
The County offers more than 55 off-leash dog parks, for the public and their dogs to enjoy. Owners using these facilities enter at their own risk and accept full responsibility and liability for their dog's actions. Locations can be found on the City's "Approved Leash Free Locations" page.

Bee-Keeping and Livestock
In 2012, the City's Municipal Code was amended to allow residents to keep bees and raise chickens and goats under certain conditions.

Reports submitted to Get It Done may be categorized into one of the following statuses:

Open

• New: Once a report is received, the status will be updated to "New" to indicate the report was successfully submitted and has been routed to a staff member for processing. 
• In Process: Once a work order is created, the report status will change to "In Process". This means work is in the process of being scheduled or has been scheduled, or that work is already underway for the issue reported. Sometimes, a report will become "In Process" if there are multiple reports for the same issue. Once the initial report is closed, all reports relate to that issue will also be closed.

Closed

• Closed: Once a report has been closed in the work order system, the status changes to "Closed". For some graffiti and encampment reports, an "after" photo is provided. For other reports, a “closure reason” is provided to offer more detail regarding the action taken on the report.
• Referred: Not all reports are handled within the Get It Done system. Some reports may be referred to an agency outside the City (for example, Caltrans or AT&T), or to another department within the City that is not yet connected to the Get It Done system. The status remains as "Referred" and is not updated for reports referred out of the system.

Please see the below links and phone numbers for contacting County, State or Federal government offices.

County of San Diego - (858) 694-3900
State of California - (800) 807-6755
Federal Government - (800) 688-9889

When a resident submits a report, the system will automatically evaluate the report for duplicates. Depending on what type of report is submitted (e.g. 72 hour violation, encampment, illegal dumping, etc.) the system will look at different criteria to determine if it’s likely a duplicate. 

After system tags a report as a duplicate, a City employee will then verify if the duplicate tag is accurate. 

What should I expect if my case is tagged as a duplicate? 

The primary case in a duplicate relationship is always the first case to be reported. If your case is tagged as a duplicate, your case will remain open and become attached to that first case. If your case is tagged as a duplicate, you will not receive an email notifying you of this update. 

Once the issue is resolved, all cases linked to the first report will be closed at the same time. 

For example: 

1. A resident reports a problem with a streetlight.  

• This report creates a new case for City staff to investigate. 

2. The next day, another resident reports the same street light issue.  

• This report is tagged as a duplicate, verified by staff, and attached to the report submitted the day before. It will remain open and attached to the first case. 

3. When the streetlight is fixed, staff will close the first report, closing all attached duplicates at the same time. 

Please visit Parking Management, a division of the Office of the City Treasurer, or call (866) 470-1308 to complete the following:

• Pay Parking Citation
• Appeal Parking Citation
• Check Status of Parking Citation
• Apply for Residential Parking Permit
• Information on Vehicle Impounds/Towing
• Parking Enforcement Holidays

Search AutoReturn, e-mail service-sd-ca@autoreturn.com, or call (619) 527-4392 to see if your vehicle has been towed or impounded.  If you are not able to find your vehicle in the AutoReturn system, call the Police Non-Emergency line at (619) 531-2000.

Vehicles may be impounded or stored for several reasons that are listed below.  The impound process may take a minimum of three hours. When calling for information, be prepared to provide your name as well as the vehicle license number, make and model. You will be given the name of the towing company, the vehicle location, amount of fees due and payment method. Registered owner identification and driver's license is required to recover the vehicle.

Reasons for Impounding a Vehicle
 

• Vehicles found on City of San Diego property having five (5) or more unpaid parking citations/tickets.
• Vehicles found on City of San Diego property with registration expired over six (6) months.
• Vehicles stored on City of San Diego property over 72 hours without moving 1/10th of a mile.
• Vehicles found on City of San Diego property parked in violation of posted temporary or permanent signs.
• Vehicles found illegally parked on City of San Diego property not displaying any form of valid registration.
• Vehicles found on City of San Diego property parked in a hazardous manner, impeding the regular flow of traffic.
• Vehicles found on City of San Diego property blocking a driveway and a complaint is registered.
• Vehicle parked in a carpool lane.

 
The Parking Enforcement Offices also recover stolen vehicles. If found, the Parking Enforcement Officer will attempt to call the registered owner for the recovery. If we are unable to contact the registered owner or if the owner takes more than 20 minutes to get to the vehicle, the vehicle will be stored at a City of San Diego contracted towing company until the registered owner can recover the vehicle.
 
For questions or concerns, call the City of San Diego Parking Customer Service at (866) 470-1308 (Toll-free).
 
 

If you have an emergency, dial 9-1-1.

For reporting non-emergencies 24 hours/7 days, call 619-531-2000 or 858-484-3154.

To report some non-emergency issues you can file a police report online using the Citizens’ Online Police Reporting System.  You will be contacted once your case has been assigned to a Detective or if any additional information is needed. 

If you need assistance with Citizens’ Online Police Reporting, please call (858) 523-7066.

 

Get It Done allows you to report a non-emergency concern involving a need for homeless outreach or an issue related to an encampment. Encampments could be a temporary dwelling and/or an accumulation of belongings blocking a sidewalk or located within public open space or private property. Encampments may be occupied or unoccupied.

As always, emergencies should be reported to 9-1-1. Other police-related non-emergencies should be reported to the San Diego Police Department (SDPD) at 619-531-2000.

If you are experiencing homelessness, you can access resources by dialing: 2-1-1 by phone or visiting 211sandiego.org.

Depending on whether people are present, your report will be forwarded to the Neighborhood Policing Division (NPD), the Environmental Services Department (ESD) and/or homeless outreach specialists, as appropriate. NPD team members will respond to reports that indicate people are on-site. ESD team members will respond to reports that indicate people are not on-site and may require cleanup. Homeless outreach specialists receive reports and plan outreach activities based, in part, on data from Get It Done reports to help inform regional outreach efforts and may be contacted directly from NPD team members to offer assistance, such shelter placements and additional resources to help unhoused persons off the streets and into the path of self-sufficiency.

Typical outcomes for this type of report include services being offered to any people present, connection to a homeless outreach specialist, enforcement action, or movement of the encampment.

Learn more on the City's Homeless Strategies & Solutions department website.

Issues with loud noise are handled by different parties, depending on the nature of the noise.  
 
Neighbor Noise (Conflict Resolution)

If the noise is coming from a neighbor, oftentimes the best solution is to speak directly with your neighbor. For more resources on ways you can communicate with your neighbor, please visit the National Conflict Resolution Center or call 619-238-2400. 

In Progress Human-Generated Noise (SDPD) 

For excessive, human-generated noise that are in progress (such as loud music or a loud party), enforcement is handled by the San Diego Police Department (SDPD). For non-emergency noise complaints, you can call SDPD non-emergency dispatch 619-531-2000. Learn more about SDPD-related Noise Complaints.  

As always, for life-threatening emergencies or crime in progress, call 9-1-1.

Non-Human-Generated Noise (Development Services, Building & Land Use Enforcement)

Non-human-generated noise complaints are handled by the Development Services Department Building & Land Use Enforcement division (BLUE). This may include things such as noise from air conditioners, compressors, pool pumps, construction, and dogs/pets.  

Learn more about the code enforcement process and prioritization. File a complaint.

Contact City of San Diego Police Department for areas outside of parks by calling 619-531-2000. For areas within parks, email AskParks@sandiego.gov.

For concerns related to food safety or health permits, contact the County Department of Environmental Health and Quality, Food and Housing Division via email or by phone at 858-505-6903.

Learn more about Sidewalk Vending.

Help/resources for residents experiencing homelessness in San Diego: 

• City of San Diego Homelessness Strategies and Solutions Department 

• Centralized resource for San Diego homelessness services, assistance, data, and reports 

• City of San Diego Homelessness Response Center - HRCSD@sdhc.org / (619) 880-8810 

• The person is located anywhere in the City of San Diego 

• Hours of operation are Monday – Thursday 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. Friday – Saturday 8 a.m. – 2 p.m. Sunday Closed 

• 211 San Diego for County Resources - Dial 2-1-1 

• The homeless resident is located anywhere in San Diego County 

• Jewish Family Service Safe Parking Program 

• The resident is living in their car or RV and seeking a safe place to park 

 

For encampments: 

• File a Get It Done Report when... 

• The encampment is on the City's public right-of-way (e.g. sidewalks, roads, parks) 

• File a Caltrans Customer Service Request when.. 

• The encampment on state property (e.g. Park & Ride carpool locations, freeway onramps/underpasses) 

• Have the property owner file an SDPD Letter of Agency when... 

• The owner would like to grant police permission to enforce against anyone found on a property without the owner's consent or without lawful purpose 

 

For public safety incidents: 

• Call 911 when... 

• The person is behaving violently and threatening the safety of themselves or others (e.g. they have a weapon) 

• The person is damaging property (e.g. breaking into a home or a business) 

• Call SDPD Non-Emergency at (619) 531-2000 when... 

• There is no immediate threat or the crime already occurred and a report is needed 

• Call the County Mobile Crisis Response Team at (888) 724-7240 when... 

• The person is displaying a mental or behavioral health crisis that does not involve threats of violence or medical emergencies (e.g. yelling nonthreatening verbiage) 

The City recommends that property owners complete a Letter of Agency form with the San Diego Police Department (SDPD).

This form allows SDPD officers to act as agents for the owner of private property, specifically for purposes of enforcing laws against any person(s) found on the property without the owner’s consent or without lawful purpose.

This is an extremely useful tool and is strongly recommended for vacant properties, vacant lots, businesses or any properties upon which public nuisance activities and/or crimes may occur. Per California Penal Code section 602, this form must be renewed every 12 months to be effective.

Please submit the completed form via email or to your neighborhood police station. In conjunction with this form, it is strongly suggested (although not required) that the property display a sign indicating:

• a Letter of Agency has been filed with SDPD;
• the address of the property;
• the words "No Trespassing"; and
• the property manager and/or a contact information to share issues.

The sign should be no less than 18" X 24", ideally have a font legible from the nearest public street, and not be readily accessible to vandals. Signs should be evenly spaced throughout the surrounding property boundaries covered by the Letter of Agency. View a sample sign.

A sign indicating a Letter of Agency is on file with SDPD, including the address of the property, is necessary for SDPD to confirm the validity of the Letter of Agency and respond accordingly.

After submitting a 72-hour vehicle violation, the report will be routed to an officer for evaluation. Due to the code enforcement process, please allow up to 30 days to properly evaluate the report. 

Following their evaluation, an officer may close the report for one of many reasons, including: the vehicle has been towed, the vehicle was ticketed, the vehicle was gone on arrival, or the vehicle moved more than 1/10th of a mile (among other closure reasons.) 

For more information on what qualifies as a 72-hour vehicle violation, please see our FAQ. 

No. Get It Done is intentionally not designed to receive more than one parking violation per report. This is to allow for accurate processing, reporting, and communication. 

To qualify as a 72-hour violation, a vehicle must be parked at the same location on a public street for more than 72 consecutive hours. If a vehicle is moved more than 1/10th of a mile (which is just shy of two football fields in length) the 72-hour time allowance will reset. 

This information can also be viewed on the SDPD Abandoned Vehicles webpage. 

If this is an active crime in progress (such as the car is being driven away or actively broken into) dial 9-1-1.

Learn more about how to prevent and report vehicle theft and break-ins.

Definition of Hate Crime 

A hate crime is a criminal act committed against another person that is motivated by prejudice against certain characteristics of that person. The California Penal Code outlines the following characteristics that may be considered in hate crime acts: 

• Disability 

• Gender 

• Nationality 

• Race or ethnicity 

• Religion 

• Sexual orientation 

• Association with a person or group with one or more of these actual or perceived characteristics. 

How to Report It 

In an emergency, call 9-1-1. Otherwise, dial the non-emergency line at 619-531-2000 to report the incident. 

Actions to Take: 

• Obtain medical attention if needed. Be sure to keep all medical documentation. 

• Write down the hate language. 

• Leave all evidence in place. Do not touch, remove or clean up anything. 

• Document what happened. Take photographs of the evidence, writing down exactly what was said, particularly any words that indicate biased motivation and other information that may be valuable. 

• Get the names, addresses and phone numbers of other victims and witnesses. 

 

For more information, including additional resources, visit: https://www.sandiego.gov/police/services/hate-crimes 

Click here to start, stop, transfer, or update your water account information.

Learn more about water quality. To report a water quality concern, email drinkingwaterquality@sandiego.gov or call 619-668-3232.

To report a sewer spill or bad sewer odor, immediately call 619-515-3525. Learn more.

Your Assessor's Parcel Number (APN) is a unique number used to represent your parcel for County ownership records, to locate the property for assessed value, and to mail and collect tax bills.  The City of San Diego APN's are assigned by the San Diego County Recorder. 

Find your APN.

The Get It Done system is currently set up to receive certain code enforcement-related complaints. Depending on the issue, different types of Code Enforcement-related issues are handled by different City departments.  The chart below provides direct links to online report forms.
 

Street sweeping is managed by the Stormwater department. Their goal is to sweep residential streets once per month and commercial streets once a week. If your assigned sweeping day falls on a scheduled City holiday it will not be swept. The route will be swept on the next assigned sweeping day.

Please visit our interactive street sweeping map to find out more information about sweeping routes and schedules.

Review the Street Sweeping page for more information.

 

The location of the bees or beehive will determine who is responsible for addressing issues with bees.
 

Private Property	Issues with bees or beehives that are located on private property are the responsibility of the property owner to address. If you have an issue with wild (feral) bees located on a neighbor’s property, this is best addressed in discussion with your neighbor. For additional resources, please see the National Conflict Resolution Center. If you have an issue with bee boxes or beekeeping on a neighbor’s property, it may be a zoning issue, for which you can contact the Development Services Code Enforcement Division.
Water/Utility Meters	For issues with beehives located on water meters serviced by the City, you can contact the Public Utilities Department. For utility boxes not serviced by the City, please contact your utility service provider.
Parks and Open Space	Beehives located in City parks and open space are addressed by the Parks & Recreation Department. This includes City park facilities, recreation centers, pools, and golf courses.
City Streetlights or Trees	For beehives located in trees or streetlights maintained by the City, please contact the Transportation Department.

An Interactive Map provides more information about the status of undergrounding projects.

See the Utilities Undergrounding Program for more information.

To report a maintenance issue with a freeway maintained by Caltrans, you can Submit a Customer Service Request to Caltrans.

Report highway emergencies to 9-1-1. The California Highway Patrol Non-Emergency number is 858-637-3800.

 

Property owners are responsible for maintaining private trees and vegetation so that they do not encroach on the street and sidewalk public right-of-way.

 

A tree branch must be 14 feet 6 inches above street pavement/alley and 8 feet above the sidewalk.


Examples of vegetation encroachment:

 
Shrubs and plants must be trimmed back from the sidewalk and parkway. The parkway is the strip between the sidewalk and curb.


Shrubs and plants must be trimmed back from the sidewalk.


Shrubs and plants must be trimmed back from the curb and maintain clear visibility of all traffic signs.

Please check your property frequently to make sure there are no encroachments in the right-of-way.

Report a vegetation encroachment issue through Get It Done.

Graffiti on commercial property is considered a violation of municipal code §54.0405 (b) and is the responsibility of the property owner to remove.

After someone submits a Get It Done report on graffiti on commercial property, the process is as follows:

1. Inspect the area – a Code Enforcement officer from the Transportation Right of Way Management Division will visit the area and conduct an inspection and record any municipal code violations in Get It Done. If the area is in compliance with City municipal codes, the case will be closed. If not, they will continue to the next step.
2. Issue Notice of Violation – the Code Enforcement officer will issue a Notice of Violation and deliver it to the mailing address of the property owner with a 2-week compliance timeline (i.e. the officer will re-inspect the area in 2 weeks from the date of the initial inspection)
3. Re-inspect the area – on or after the re-inspection date, the Code Enforcement officer will visit the area and conduct another inspection and record any municipal code violations in Get It Done. If the area is in compliance with City municipal codes, the case will be closed. If not, they will continue to the next step.
4. Issue Administrative Warning – the Code Enforcement officer will issue an Administrative Warning and deliver it to the mailing address of the property owner with a 2-week compliance timeline (i.e. the officer will re-inspect the area in 2 weeks from the date of the follow-up inspection)
5. Re-inspect the area – on or after the re-inspection date, the Code Enforcement officer will visit the area and conduct another inspection and record any municipal code violations in Get It Done. If the area is in compliance with City municipal codes, the case will be closed. If not, they will continue to the next step.
6. Issue Administrative Citation – the Code Enforcement officer will issue an Administrative Citation and deliver it to the mailing address of the property owner with a 2-week compliance timeline (i.e. the officer will re-inspect the area in 2 weeks from the date of the initial inspection)
7. Re-inspect the area – on or after the re-inspection date, the Code Enforcement officer will visit the area and conduct another inspection and record any municipal code violations in Get It Done. If the area is in compliance with City municipal codes, the case will be closed. If not, they will continue step 6 until the municipal code violation(s) is/are resolved.

Neighborhood Watch signs and sign hardware approved by the San Diego Police Department can be obtained from private companies. Please note that Neighborhood Watch groups are free to buy signs from any company and do not need San Diego Police Department authorization to do so.

The signs can be installed with permission on private property or utility poles, with perforated metal tape on City street light poles, or at least 7 feet above the grade level on City street signs. They cannot be installed on any traffic control sign or City tree. After installation the exposed bolt threads should be crimped to prevent theft of the sign.

For more information regarding Neighborhood Watch programs please view the Neighborhood Watch Planning Document developed by the San Diego Police Department - Crime Prevention and Education team.

Learn more about streets in your neighborhood and how the City maintains its network of 2,800 miles of streets.

The City relies on a number of public and private entities to ensure weeds and vegetation issues are handled appropriately. The responsible party depends on where the weeds are located.
 

Private Property	Per the California Fire Code, weeds located on private property are always the responsibility of the property owner to address.   If the property has a structure or dwelling unit on it, weed issues are enforced by the Fire Department’s Wildland Management and Enforcement Section.
Parks and Open Space	Weeds located in City parks and open space, including park facilities and structures, are addressed by the Parks & Recreation Department.
Streets, Sidewalks, and other areas in the paved right of way	Weeds located in the public right-of-way, including streets and sidewalks, are addressed by the Transportation Department. If the vegetation is located in a storm drain, it is handled by Stormwater Department.

Request a free street tree from the City of San Diego's Free Tree SD program. Learn more and request a free tree.

Anyone doing any type of digging MUST contact DigAlert before excavation. Contact DigAlert at DigAlert.org or call 8-1-1. While digging or excavating on private property typically does not require a City of San Diego permit, a grading permit may be required.