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.

These estimates are validated and updated quarterly.
 

Problem Type	Estimated Timeframe	Description
TRASH COLLECTION, RECYCLING, AND GRAFFITI
Container Left Out	14 days
Container Request* *Replacement and Additional Container	28 days	Learn more about obtaining a black trash, blue recycling, or green container.
Dead Animal	3 days
Dumpster Encroaching on Public Right of Way	14 days
Graffiti Removal	Public (City-maintained): 5 days   Private (Residential, less than 4 units): 15 days* Private Property - Code Enforcement: 356 days * This service may be stopped if funding for contractural services is reduced.	Graffiti response time varies based on what type of property the graffiti is located on.   Graffiti located on commercial property can require code enforcement, which adds time to the process.   After receiving approval from a residential (less than 4 unit) property owner, the City partners with Urban Corps to help remove graffiti.   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: 400 days
Damaged Guardrail	80 days
Faded Striping	650 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	375 days Repairs are clustered by priority factors.	Learn more about why street light repairs are taking longer than normal.
Street Sweeping	30 days
Traffic Sign	275 days
Traffic Signals	Signal Issue: 5 days Signal Timing: 20 days High priority traffic signal issues are addressed within 24 hours.	Reports related to traffic signal maintenance are completed within the same day. More involved reports related to traffic signal timing may take more time to resolve.
Traffic Sign Maintenance	315 days
BICYCLE, SCOOTER, AND VEHICLE ISSUES
72 Hour Vehicle Violation	50 days	The time it takes to resolve this type of problem can take longer, due to the code enforcement process.
Bicycle Related Issues	425 days	Variable accuracy due to low report volume.
Parking Zone Violations	3 days	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	19 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	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 and may take up to a year to address.
Tree Trimming	Palms – Every two years Shade trees – Every 20 years	The City currently schedules trimming for palm trees every two years and every 20 years for other trees in the public right-of-way.
Vegetation Encroaching on Sidewalk/Street	559 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	30 days
Over Irrigation	30 days
Storm Drain	90 days
Street Flooded	3 days* *Responds to emergencies within 24 hours.

SHORT-TERM RESIDENTIAL OCCUPANCY (STROs)
STRO Violations	97 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: February 7, 2025

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 through Get It Done Passport Services - Schedule an Appointment for a Passport or by calling the Office of the City Clerk at 619-533-4000.

Find out more information at the Office of the City Clerk.

When applying for a passport for a minor, the does a minor the following seven (7) steps must be completed.  need to apply for a U.S. Passport?
 

 
For further information please visit the Passport Agency Website:
 https://travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/passports.html

To apply for a U.S. Passport you need the following seven (7) things:
 

 
For further information please visit the Passport Agency Website.
 

For the most up-to-date information about the fees for a U.S. passport, please visit the City Clerk's webpage: https://www.sandiego.gov/city-clerk/inforecords/passport.
 

Per guidelines set by the Department of State, routine passports take 6-9 weeks to process, and expedited passports take 3-5 weeks. This does not include mailing time. 

Beginning with passport appointments for July 18, 2023, passport appointments will be made available up to two weeks in advance on a rolling basis.

For example, appointments for August 15 will be available on August 1, August 16 on August 2, etc...

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?” or at: https://www.sandiego.gov/treasurer/short-term-residential-occupancy 

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.

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: 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 

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. 

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 6:30 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 refuse/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. Replace a cracked or damaged container. 

• 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 the normally scheduled service.  

• Wrong Collection Week: Recycling and greenery collection occur bi-weekly. Please check the collection schedule of these commodities.  

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 greenery containers. 

The photo below identifies the location of the serial number.



For more information please see Container Frequently Asked Questions.

Residents are responsible for the container's security and maintenance. When damage results from normal use or due to age, the replacement fee will be prorated during the 10-year anticipated lifespan of the container. In other words, a container that breaks due to normal collection after five years will be replaced for 50% of the fee and the resident will receive a new container with 10 years of expected use. If the container is lost, stolen or damaged as a result of the resident's misuse, the full fee will be charged for its replacement.

For more information on obtaining a black, blue, or green container, please see here.

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.

 

The City is unable to pick up unwanted containers unless we are replacing them with new ones.

For proper disposal please bring the unwanted container 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. Feel free to leave containers at Collection Services at any time. Alternatively, containers may also be broken down and placed in your blue recycle bin.
 
To replace a damaged container, fill out a request to Replace a Damaged Container online through Get It Done. After a warranty and eligibility review is completed, you’ll receive an email to purchase your container. When your new container is delivered, the old container will be removed.
 
Please keep in mind, workers are not allowed on private property, so please leave your container on the street/alley. The container must be empty when the new container is delivered. Container delivery drivers cannot transport refuse. 
 
If your container is broken and/or full of trash please call Customer Service at 858-694-7000 for additional options. 
 
For multi-unit residential customers, once a container is removed without a replacement, a multifamily home must apply for new containers. Please note the approval process can be lengthy. Retrieval of removed containers is not an available option. 

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Alternatively, in the spirit of "reduce-reuse-recycle," there are many ways to utilize old trash cans. If you do not have curbside recycling, consider using your old trash cans for storing recyclables before taking the materials to any number of recycling centers. For areas that have curbside greenery collection, the cans can be used for storing and setting out yard waste for collection. 

Also consider using the cans to hold dog food, mulch or fertilizer. They can even be converted into compost "bins." 

Multi-family property requires an eligibility inspection for “New Service” or “Additional Container" requests. This eligibility inspection may result in retraction of service for the entire parcel if the site is deemed ineligible. For this reason, an Owner Certification is required to process these requests. The review process can take up to 6 weeks.

Requiring the Owner Certification helps to:

• Ensure that the applicant knows the risk involved with requesting "New Service" or an "Additional Container"
• Provides backup in cases where the City is involved in litigation after retracting service

Containers are expected to last for approximately 10 years. Over time, containers are worn down by repeated use, as well as exposure to sunlight and other elements. They typically break because they’ve exceeded that useful life and collection drivers have very little control of the collection forces needed to service containers.
  
Containers may be purchased online or from a home improvement store. (Trash containers must be approved brands that are compatible with automated collection, such as Rehrig Pacific ROC-35, ROC-65, ROC-95-U that are sold by the City or ToterEVR Universal Cart 65 or 95-gallon.)
 
Containers purchased from the City cost $70. If your container becomes damaged within the 10-year period, we will calculate a prorated price for the replacement container.
 
Replacement wheels and lids are available at no charge for containers under warranty. Please call 858-694-7000 or email trash@sandiego.gov to ask if your container qualifies for a free lid and/or wheels replacement.

The delivery fee covers the costs associated with the delivery of the container and removal of any non-functioning container. To avoid the delivery fee, residents may choose to pick up containers at the 8353 Miramar Place facility weekdays between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.
 
Additional Background
 
When the City switched to automated collection in 1994, each eligible residence received a container. While the initial container was provided at no charge, customers are now responsible for providing trash container compatible with collection vehicles.

The container fee was established as a fair and reasonable fee that does not exceed the cost of providing the container. Collection and disposal of waste is provided to eligible households at no charge.

If you recently moved into your property and already have trash and recycling collection from the City, you do not need to request New Service or take any action to create a new account. 
 
In the City of San Diego there is no monthly fee for trash collection, however the homeowner is responsible for the cost of replacing a container.  
 
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The Request for New Service is a three-step process which is only necessary if you are part of a new construction that does not already have existing trash or recycling collection services from the City.

Below is a general overview of each step. 
 
1.  Location Details: Identify your parcel, address and type of residence. 
 
2.  Select Containers: Add the trash and recycling containers you'd like to the cart. Request delivery ($25 per container) or choose pick-up. 
 
Your application will be reviewed for eligibility for City-provided collection services. Once this review is complete, we'll send an email with next steps. 
 
3.  Purchase: If approved, you'll receive an email with a link to complete your purchase. 
 
Eligibility Criteria 
 
The criteria for qualification for City-provided trash and recycling collection services are as follows: 

1. The residential property must be located entirely within the City of San Diego. 

2. The residential property must be located on a dedicated public street with Reasonable Access to a City designated collection point safely accessible by City collection vehicles with adequate space for the proper placement and separation of all waste containers for collection without creating unsafe conditions. Reasonable Access, as defined by the City’s Waste Management Regulation (WMR R-009-10), means the residential facility is located immediately adjacent and contiguous to a designated collection point at the curb line of a dedicated public right-of-way which is directly accessible from the residential facility property and does not require moving the collection container across a private street, private alley, private communal driveway, or other private property aside from the residential facility property. 

3. The residential property must have adequate on-site storage space for all waste containers needed to contain the amount of refuse, recyclables and yard waste accumulated between collection intervals that are not visible from the street. 

4. Containers must be placed at the collection point between 6 p.m. of the day prior and 6 a.m. of the collection day. Containers must be removed from the street by 6 p.m. of the collection day. 

5. Requests for services for a multi-family residential facility must be for the entire complex, not an individual unit and must be made by the owner or property manager. All units in the complex must be eligible to receive City services for any unit to receive City collection services. 

6. The City is not accepting requests to provide refuse collection services to small businesses, commercial properties or residential facilities within planned unit developments with private streets. 

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 Waste Management Regulation. You will be notified of the determination of eligibility and a collection start date as soon as the evaluation is completed. 

Find your Trash Collection Schedule.

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.  

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. 

The distribution of new green bins for organic waste recycling will be rolled-out by route. If you have received a new green container, you have the option to exchange the container for a different container size. Requests for an exchange/ swap-out must be submitted within 14 calendar days of receipt, and the container must be in new and un-used condition. The Environmental Services Department will remove and replace the initial delivered container There will be no additional fees for exchanges requested within the 14-day exchange window.

Please wait 24 hours to request a green container exchange online. In the case of a Friday green container delivery, please wait until the next business day to request an exchange.

For exchanges after 14 days, customers must conduct in-person at the Environmental Services Department’s Collections facility at 8353 Miramar Place, weekdays between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. The organic waste green container must be in new and unused condition. If you cannot conduct an exchange in-person, please contact ESD at the contact information below.

Requesting an organic waste green container exchange online is a five-step process:

1. Navigate to the Get It Done Green Organics Container Size Exchange Request page.

2. Address Search: Search for your address. Select and confirm the service address at which the exchange should occur.

Please note: Only addresses that are on an Organics route and are within the 14-day exchange window will be eligible.

3. Enter Contact Information: Please enter your contact information.

4. Choose Containers: Select the new container size and enter the container serial number of the organic waste green container you wish to exchange. This serial number can be found on the front of your container above the barcode. ESD offers 95-gallon, 65-gallon, and 35-gallon green container options.

5. Verify: Please verify and certify the information in order to submit your request for exchange. You see a confirmation screen and your request will be processed by ESD. You will receive a separate confirmation email once the request is approved.

For any questions or issues, please call 858-694-7000 or email trash@sandiego.gov .

The Environmental Services Department will not be selling additional or replacement kitchen pails. Customers are encouraged to use other containers of their choice such as a reusable container, paper bag, newspaper wrap or another pail as alternatives to the provided kitchen pail.

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. 

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  

The distribution of new green bins for organic waste recycling will be rolled out by route. If you received a new green bin, customers will have the option to exchange the container for a smaller or larger container size. Available green bin options are a 35-gallon, 65-gallon and 95-gallon.

All bin requests can be made on Get It Done here or by calling 858-694-7000. 

Requests for an exchange/ swap-out must be submitted within 14 calendar days, and the container must be in new and un-used condition. The Environmental Services Department (ESD) will remove and replace the container on Saturdays for delivery requests.  There will be no additional fees for exchanges requested during the 14-day exchange window. 

Please wait 24 hours to request a green bin exchange online after your new green bin is initially delivered.  In the case of a Friday green bin delivery, please wait until the next business day to request an exchange. 

For exchanges after 14 days, customers must conduct exchanges in-person at the Environmental Services Department’s Collections facility at 8353 Miramar Place, San Diego weekdays between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. The organic waste green container must be new and un-used condition.  If you are not able to conduct an exchange in person, please contact ESD at the contact information below. 

For any questions or issues, please call 858-694-7000 or email trash@sandiego.gov.

All residences, whether City serviced or private, are required to have recycling service per the City’s mandatory recycling ordinance. Residences that have City-collected trash service must also have a blue curbside recycling container.  If your home uses a private company for trash collection, you are not eligible for the City's curbside recycling program, but must have service through your current trash hauler or self-haul to one of the locations in the City’s Park and Recreation Recycling Program, or through recycling buy-back centers.

Containers need to be replaced when the City determines they are no longer serviceable for automated collection. Usually, the driver places a tag on the container advising the resident to contact the City to schedule delivery of a replacement container. If the driver does not notify the resident, but they notice that the container is cracked or damaged in a way that will not allow it to be safely used for collection, residents may request a repair or a new container by emailing trash@sandiego.gov or calling 858-694-7000 or by using the City’s Get It Done App. The City will determine if the container can be repaired or needs to be replaced.  

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.

Single Family Homes / "Curbside" Customers (serviced by the Environmental Services Department)
Collection services for households serviced by the City of San Diego’s Environmental Services Department will begin in January 2023 and will continue as a phased rollout, with completion expected by mid-2023.

Customers serviced by the City will receive advanced mailed notification before their new organic waste recycling collection begins and a kitchen pail and green bin are delivered to their home.* A new green bin and kitchen pail will be delivered to customers at no charge. 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.

Deliveries of bins and pails are scheduled based on the customer’s current trash collection day, starting on Jan. 11 with Wednesday customers receiving their green bins first, followed by Thursday, Friday, Monday and Tuesday customers until everyone has received a bin. To view the rollout schedule, please visit this page and click on “Homes Serviced by the City.” Customers are asked to wait until they receive their green bin and instructions from the City before they begin collecting organic waste. In a city of 1.4 million people, this is a monumental task that we are taking very seriously. City employees are working diligently and carefully to make this an easy transition for everyone.

*A small number of existing customers already have green bins. Those customers will receive a kitchen pail, but not a green bin.

Multifamily Apartments & Condos (serviced by a private hauler)

Apartment and condo property owners that receive trash and recycling collection service from a private waste hauler will be required to order and pay for new organic waste recycling collection service from a private waste hauler. This will include providing a separate organic waste bin for residents in the building to dispose of all food scraps, food-soiled paper and yard waste in addition to the trash and recycling containers. The organic waste bin must be picked up weekly from the property.

Property owners should contact a franchise private hauler for assistance with ordering new organic waste recycling service. You can also email sdrecyclingworks@sandiego.gov to request technical assistance. A Recycling Specialist is available to visit your property to help determine the appropriate bin size and location for your new organic waste recycling bin and provide education resources for your tenants.

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.

No. Please wait for the containers to be delivered to your home.

No. If you have a green curbside bin for yard waste recycling at home, please continue to only place yard waste inside. This includes grass, leaves, branches and other plant trimmings. The City will notify your residence with mailers and will deliver a kitchen pail with more information on when you will be able to start adding food scraps and food-soiled paper with your yard trimmings.

Information about the new organic waste recycling collection will be provided to City of San Diego residences in advance of their program start date. Information will be mailed, and a kitchen pail and green bin will be delivered to the residence if they do not currently have one.

The rollout schedule by day on our website can be found on the New Organic Waste Recycling Program page. Under the “Homes Serviced by the City” tab, you’ll find green bin delivery timelines based on the resident’s current collection day.

Lastly, residences can search their collection schedule on Get It Done. The word “Organics” with the next collection date on the address search result will be displayed to notify a household actively has new organic waste recycling collection service. Once the household’s organic waste recycling collection starts, both the black and green bin will be collected weekly on the same day. The collection day and schedule for the blue bin will remain the same.

The most common container is a 95-gallon container, which has the capacity equivalent to three regular trash cans. 65-gallon containers are also available for use. Size specifications are provided below. For further questions, please contact 858-684-7000.  

Trash Container Types and Sizes
 

Black trash containers and blue recycling bins are available for sale from the City of San Diego. The most popular residential option is the 95-gallon container, followed by the 65-gallon container. 

Specifications	65 Gallon Container	95 Gallon Container
Overall Depth (inches)	27.0	33.3
Overall Width (inches)	26.5	29.2
Overall Height (inches)	43.6	43.5

Delivery is available for an additional $25 per container. Containers that have been purchased may be picked up, free of charge, at the City’s Collection Services Division (8353 Miramar Place, San Diego, CA, 92121). 

For more information on containers, including pricing and warranties, please check out How to Obtain a Container. 

Residents will be asked to place food scraps and food-soiled paper along with any yard waste in the green organic waste recycling bin and not in the trash.

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.  

If you have never been issued a City-provided green bin, one will be delivered to your residence free of charge. Depending on your property, you will receive a 95-gallon, 65-gallon, or 35-gallon green bin. Households are only eligible to exchange container sizes and request additional containers after they have started their new organic waste recycling collection service.

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.

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.

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 will be asked to place food scraps and food-soiled paper along with their yard waste in their green bin and not in the trash. Your green bin will be picked up weekly. Please place your green bin at your normal collection location by 6 a.m. on the same day as your regularly scheduled, weekly trash collection. The City will also be providing residents a new, free kitchen pail to make it easier for you to collect fruit and vegetable peels, plate scrapings, spoiled food and food-soiled paper, and then empty the contents into your outdoor green bin along with yard trimmings.

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.

Learn more about appliance recycling.

For additional organic waste/ green bin requests, customers must either be on an automated Greens route or on a new Organics route. Customers who currently do not have an automated greens yard waste recycling service and/or who have not been switched to an Organic Waste Recycling route will not be eligible for an additional organic waste/ green container until organics pick-up has started for your address.

The Request for Additional Containers is a three-step process. Below is a general overview of each step. 

1. Address Search: Search for your site by entering your address in the Additional Container Form. 
2. Choose Containers: Place your order for greens/ organics containers and choose the delivery method to identify if you’d like containers delivered for an additional fee ($25 per container) or self-pickup from Collection Service at 8353 Miramar Place, San Diego. 

 Once these first two steps are complete, your request will go through an eligibility process to determine if your property supports an additional container. You will be contacted by email regarding eligibility status and next steps. 

3. Purchase: If eligibility is approved, you will receive an email with purchase instructions. 

 For any questions or issues, please call 858-694-7000 or email trash@sandiego.gov

Collection services for households serviced by the City of San Diego’s Environmental Services Department will begin in January 2023 and will continue as a phased rollout, with completion expected by mid-2023.

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

Your green bin will be picked up once a week on your regularly scheduled collection day at your normal collection location. Find your schedule on Get It Done.

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.

Business or property owners that have trash and recycling collection service from a private waste hauler will be required to order and pay for new organic waste recycling collection service from a private waste hauler. This will include providing a separate organic waste bin for your business to dispose of all food scraps, food-soiled paper, and yard waste in addition to the trash and recycling containers. The organic waste recycling bin must be picked up weekly from the property.

Please email sdrecyclingworks@sandiego.gov to request technical assistance to get started or contact a private waste hauler to order new organic waste recycling services. A Recycling Specialist is available to visit your business and help determine the appropriate bin size and location for your new organic waste bin and provide educational resources.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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. 

New organic waste recycling green bins will be delivered to all residents with current service, including Accessory Dwelling Units. By default, ADUs will receive a 35-gallon organic greens container. Residents can swap out any unused organic greens container for a different size as long as they request it within 14 calendar days of initial delivery.

Black trash, blue recycling, and green containers can be purchased online with a credit card via Get It Done.

City-issued containers are expected to have a lifespan of 10 years. If the container becomes defective before the 10-year warranty is up, a prorated fee will apply to the replacement.

Lost or stolen trash containers will cost the full amount for replacement plus $25 delivery charge if applicable. Containers damaged by misuse or by a third party will cost the full amount for replacement plus $25 delivery charge if applicable.

Black Trash Bins

• $70 (Prorated fee may apply)
• Second and additional trash containers will cost the full $70 plus $25 delivery charge if applicable
• Containers in use for more than 10 years will be replaced for $70 plus $25 delivery, if applicable. Containers within the 10 year lifespan will cost a prorated fee based on $7 per year, plus $25 delivery charge, if applicable.
• Newly constructed residential properties will receive the first trash container free of charge. This does not include remodels, but applies only to new homes with new addresses.

Purchase an Approved Trash Container from Another Source 

• Containers must have certain features to be compatible with the City's collection trucks.
• Trash containers must be black.
• Containers must be one of the following brands and models:
  • Rehrig-Pacific - ROC-65, ROC-95-U
  • Toter, Inc. - EVR Universal Cart 64- or 96-gallon
• Containers can be purchased from any home improvement store or outlet that sells these models.
• Containers purchased from vendors other than the City of San Diego are subject to standard vendor warranties.

Blue Recycling Bins

• Free (up to two)
• If picked up, one additional blue recycling container is available at no cost. Otherwise, there is a $25 one-time non-refundable fee for delivery.

Green Organic Waste Recycling Bins

• Free (up to two)
• Third green container will cost $25 plus $25 delivery charge if applicable.
• Fourth and additional green containers will cost $50 each container plus $25 delivery charge if applicable.

We will not be selling additional or replacing kitchen pails.

If you have questions, see the Frequently Asked Questions, contact Environmental Services at 858-694-7000, or email trash@sandiego.gov

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. 

To encourage recycling as much household recyclables as possible, the City does not charge for blue recycling containers.

The current delivery fee of $25 per container does continue to apply when residents request delivery of recycling containers. Residents can avoid this delivery fee if they pick up their recycling containers at the City's Collection Services Division, located at 8353 Miramar Place, San Diego, 92121. 

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.

Households serviced by the City of San Diego’s Environmental Services Department will receive the new green bin and kitchen pail at no charge.

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.

There are many recycling centers throughout San Diego that allow you to drop off a variety of recyclable materials. Read about recycling to learn how, what and where residents, businesses and the military can recycle.

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. 

 

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.

"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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Contact City of San Diego Development Services Department Code Enforcement for areas outside of parks by calling 619-533-6487. 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.

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

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.

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 at www.ncrconline.com or 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. For more information on SDPD-related Noise Complaints, please visit https://www.sandiego.gov/police/community/noise-complaints 

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

Non-Human-Generated Noise (Development Services, Code Enforcement) 

Non-human-generated noise complaints are handled by the Development Services Department Code Enforcement Division (DSD CED). 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 at https://www.sandiego.gov/development-services/code-enforcement/priority-cases  

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 45-60 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.

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.

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.

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 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.
 

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.

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.

An Interactive Map provides more information about the undergrounding process and allows you to find the undergrounding schedule for your neighborhood.

See the Utilities Undergrounding Program for more information.

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

You can report the following issues with scooters – referred to in the City of San Diego as shared mobility devices (SMDs) – through Get It Done. Please review the description to verify to make sure you're reporting a valid issue.

• Blocking Road
  SMDs may not block street traffic lanes at any time.
• Blocking Sidewalk
  SMDs may be parked/staged on sidewalks as long as they are in allowed zones where they:
  • Do not impede pedestrian traffic;
  • Are not on the same block as an SMD corral; and
  • Are located no closer than 40 feet of another SMD on a City sidewalk.
• Scooter Staging/Placement
  SMDs should be parked/staged in SMD corrals. Where there is no SMD Corral in allowed zones, up to four SMDs can be parked together no more than a foot apart. SMDs may not be placed in
  • In an accessible (blue) parking spot;
  • Within 500 feet of a hospital or K-12 school; or
  • Within 6 feet of a designated MTS bus stop or trolley stop, transit shelter, bench or information kiosk.

Please note that response times to reports vary based on the volume of reports received, and the City may not be able to respond to every report. However, each will help focus resources where needed to improve enforcement.

For urgent matters and moving violations, please contact the SDPD non-emergency line at 619-531-2000. For emergencies, dial 9-1-1.

For more information, please visit Bicycle and Scooter Sharing.

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.

 

A high volume of street light issues, combined with delays in parts deliveries, complex and outdated street light circuits, and a high number of staff vacancies is causing street light repairs to take longer than normal. Street light repairs are currently expected to take, on average, 309* days or more.
 
Recruitment efforts are underway to fill the City's Electrician vacancies. Learn how the City’s Transportation Team is reducing the backlog of nonfunctioning streetlights in our communities.  

*Based on the last 90 days of closed report data, as of 9/9/22.

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.

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.   If it is a privately owned vacant lot, weed issues are enforced by the Fire-Rescue Department’s private contractor Fire Prevention Services, Inc.
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.

Each street segment is assigned an "Overall Condition Index" (OCI) based on measurement of the pavement's roughness, cracking, and other deficiencies. To prioritize street paving, the OCI is used in conjunction with other factors, such as traffic volume, road type, maintenance history, other construction projects, available funding, and resident input. Repairs are often grouped within a neighborhood to include streets that are in similar condition or performed after other projects, such as pipeline replacement. 

To see completed and planned street resurfacing projects as well as Overall Condition Index scores, please go to streets.sandiego.gov 

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.