Solid Waste Management

In order to reduce the illegal dumping of garbage, the Environmental Health Section maintains staff that make sure that all residences and businesses in San Francisco subscribe to licensed refuse collection service and that the solid waste is handled as required by law.

Refuse Liens Program under Waste Management ensures that all occupied residences in San Francisco are serviced by licensed garbage companies. The property of owners who fail to pay garbage collection service bills will have a lien against their property if bills are not paid within the time frames as required by the San Francisco Health Code, Article 6, Garbage and Refuse. If you are delinquent in your payment to the garbage company, you will owe money to us also.

The Waste Management Program also, regulates refuse collection vehicles for sanitation and noise compliance. ensures that solid waste transfer stations, Sanitary landfills, and refuse collection vehicles are operated in compliance with health and safety regulations

The Local Enforcement Agency is the local representative for the California Integrated Waste Management Board (CIWMB) and is authorized to permit and inspect solid waste facilities. The Local Enforcement Agency responds to public complaints regarding solid waste facilities and abandoned landfill, works with federal contracting agencies to ensure that federal and non-federal contracts for refuse collection harmonizes with city laws and regulation, evaluates proposed recycling and waste diversion programs to ensure compliance with state and local solid waste laws and regulations.