5 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 8 cities in San Diego County, California.
Verified from official government sources
In unincorporated San Diego County, private companies operating under non-exclusive franchise agreements (NEFAs) provide curbside trash and recycling. Service is not provided directly by the County. Densely-populated areas must subscribe to three-stream (trash, recycling, organics) collection or self-haul. The Solid Waste Ordinance was updated effective June 4, 2021.
California SB 1383 (2016, Lara) — Short-Lived Climate Pollutants: 75% reduction in organic waste landfill disposal by 2025 (Health & Safety Code § 39730.5, Public Resources Code § 42652.5)
ts pursuant to other provisions of this division. SEC. 5. Section 39730.8 is added to the Health and Safety Code, to read: 39730.8. (a) For purposes of this section, the following terms have the following meanings: (1) “Commission” means the Public Utilities Commission. (2) “Energy commission” means the State Energy Resources Conservation and Development Commission. (3) “Strategy” means the str...
County Code Sec. 68.571(h) sets the set-out window for unincorporated San Diego County: containers may not be placed in a public or private right-of-way before 6:00 p.m. the day before collection, and must be removed by 12:00 p.m. the day after. Bins must sit immediately adjacent to the premises and must not block driveways, mailboxes, utilities, or easements.
Franchised haulers in unincorporated San Diego County provide two free bulky-item pickups per year for single-family customers, with up to three items per pickup. 'Bulky Items' include furniture, appliances (White Goods), e-waste, residential green materials, clothing, and tires - but not car bodies or construction/demolition debris.
Unincorporated San Diego County requires residents and businesses to source-separate designated recyclables (paper, rigid plastics #1-7, glass, metal) from trash and arrange recycling, implementing state laws AB 341, AB 1826, AB 827, and SB 1383. Densely-populated commercial and multi-family premises must meet a 35% minimum diversion service-level ratio.
CalRecycle — Short-Lived Climate Pollutants (SB 1383) organic waste reduction regulations
short-lived climate pollutants, California passed SB 1383 (Lara, 2016). The law set targets for 2025: 75% less organic waste sent to landfills. 20% of unsold, still-edible food sent to food recovery organizations. SB 1383 Regulations The Office of Administrative Law approved SB 1383 regulations. Final Regulations Text (Accessible Version) Final Statement of Reasons Final Statement of Purpose an...
California's SB 1383 mandates organic-waste recycling statewide. San Diego County implements it in the unincorporated area through its Solid Waste Ordinance (effective June 4, 2021). Since October 1, 2021, premises in densely-populated areas must source-separate food waste and green materials. Tier 1 and Tier 2 commercial edible-food generators must arrange food recovery.
8 cities in San Diego County have their own trash & recycling rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
6 verified rules • Bin Placement Rules, Bulk Item Disposal
4 verified rules • Bin Placement Rules, Bulk Item Disposal
4 verified rules • Bin Placement Rules, Bulk Item Disposal
4 verified rules • Bin Placement Rules, Bulk Item Disposal
4 verified rules • Bin Placement Rules, Bulk Item Disposal
4 verified rules • Bin Placement Rules, Bulk Item Disposal
4 verified rules • Bin Placement Rules, Bulk Item Disposal
5 verified rules • Bin Placement Rules, Bulk Item Disposal
See every category we cover for San Diego County — parking, noise, fences, fires, animals, pools, and more.
San Diego County Ordinance Hub →