Proposition 218: Notice for Proposed Refuse Rates

Proposition 218 Notice to Property Owners

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Public Rate Setting Process

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The City’s Refuse Rate Board may change the maximum rates for the collection and disposal of residential refuse in San Francisco, last approved in 2023. This process is governed by the City’s Refuse Collection and Disposal Ordinance (San Francisco Health Code, section 290). Consistent with this Ordinance, the City has designated a Refuse Rates Administrator who is responsible for reviewing rate adjustment proposals and making recommendations to the Refuse Rate Board with the goal of setting just and fair rates. Members of the public may submit written objections or comments to the Refuse Rates Administrator by June 11th at: forms.office.com/g/NwaHLG092S

They may also provide in-person comments at Refuse Rate Board Hearings, where the Rate Board will review the Administrator’s proposal.

Members of the public can view more details about the Rate Setting Process.

Hearing dates and locations

Where: San Francisco City Hall

When:

May 30, 2025
9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. | Room 416

June 25, 2025
12:30 p.m.-3:30 p.m. | Room 400

Additional hearings (if needed):

July 14, 2025
1:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m. | Room 416

July 29, 2025
1:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m. | Room 416

What services are being funded by refuse rates?

The rates paid by customers for refuse collection services fund a comprehensive range of waste management and sustainability efforts in San Francisco. Refuse rates pay for the comprehensive suite of services offered by Recology to San Francisco residents, including:

• Weekly curbside collection, transportation, landfill disposal, and composting
• Street cleanliness through public receptacles and illegal dumping removal
• Environmental programs supporting recycling, composting, reuse, and e-waste disposal
• And other essential services such as annual curbside tree recycling, bulky-item pickup, household hazardous waste collection, and district-wide cleanup events that allow residents to dispose of large items responsibly.

Refuse rates also support compliance with State and local laws that regulate waste and recycling, as well as ensuring that solid waste infrastructure that supports San Francisco remain operational, compliant, and properly maintained.

Proposed Rate Schedules

The City’s Refuse Rates Administrator received a proposal from Recology to change refuse rates over the next three years, beginning October 1, 2025. Recology’s proposed rate increase adjusts rates to adequately cover costs, including cost of business increases, lower than expected revenue in the prior year, and costs of increased business taxes due to Prop M 2024. Rates have been adjusted to improve abandoned material pickup services and additional landfill diversion efforts.

The Refuse Rates Administrator will propose a new rate schedule to the Refuse Rate Board based on review of Recology’s application. The Refuse Rates Administrator’s proposal represents a significant savings to ratepayers compared to Recology’s proposal and was developed based on review of all costs and revenues associated with Recology’s services to residential ratepayers. It includes adjustments to inflation assumptions, payroll and administrative costs, and it ties one-time revenues to one-time costs. These adjustments were made to ensure all cost and revenue projections are fair and reasonable. The Refuse Rates Administrator will also be imposing stronger cost controls and expanded reporting requirements to support rate monitoring responsibilities.

Protesting Refuse Rate Increases Under Proposition 218

San Francisco property owners can formally protest proposed refuse rate increases. If a majority of residential property owners submit written protests, the Refuse Rate Board cannot approve the new rates.

How to Submit a Protest

Submit a written protest before the public hearing ends on June 25, 2025, or as soon thereafter as the matter may be heard.

Ways to submit:

By Mail: Office of the Controller, Attn: Refuse Rates Administrator, San Francisco City Hall, Room 316, 1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place, San Francisco, CA 94102

In Person: Refuse Rate Board Hearing at City Hall Room 400, 1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place, San Francisco CA, 94102. June 25, 2025 | 12:30-3:30pm

Protest Submission Requirements

1. Clearly state opposition to the proposed rates
2. Include property location (parcel number, address, or account)
3. Provide your name and signature

Oral comments alone do not count and a written protest is required. Only one protest per parcel may be submitted.

Need special assistance or a disability-related accommodations?

Contact the Refuse Rates Administrator at con.refuserates@sfgov.org or call (415) 554-7500 at least 48 hours before the hearing