The Solid Waste Program ensures all residences and businesses in San Francisco subscribe to adequate and licensed refuse collection service. The program also ensures that refuse collection is handled in a manner that protects health and safety.

Principal Activities and Services

Regulate/permit San Francisco's solid waste facilities including transfer stations and sanitary landfills.
Inspect refuse collection vehicles.
Provide route and service disputes adjudication.
Enforce mandatory requirements for residential and commercial garbage service.
Work with federal contracting agencies to ensure that federal contracts for refuse collection harmonize with city laws and regulations.
Evaluate proposed recycling and waste diversion programs to ensure compliance with state and local solid waste laws and regulations.

Refuse Liens

The Department is authorized to place a lien on property when owners fail to maintain or pay for garbage collection service bills. Please click for more information about the lien program and what to do if a lien has been put on your property. (pdf)

Solid Waste Facilities

As the Local Enforcement Agency for the California Integrated Waste Management Board, the Department is authorized to permit and inspect solid waste facilities. The Solid Waste program 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, and evaluates proposed recycling and waste diversion programs to ensure compliance with state and local solid waste laws and regulations.

Public Notice

As required by Title 27 California Code of Regulation (27 CCR) Section 21660.1, the LEA is distributing this notice:

* notice of acceptance of the amendment to the RFI for Pier 96

As required by Title 27 California Code of Regulation (27 CCR) Section 21660.3, the LEA is distributing this notice:

* notice of the April 11, 2017 informational public meeting regarding proposed modification to the Solid Waste Facility Permit (SWFP) for the San Francisco Solid Waste Transfer and Recycling Center (SFSWTRC)

As required by Title 27 California Code of Regulation (27 CCR) Section 21660.1, the LEA is distributing these notices:

* notice of acceptance of an amendment to the Report of Facility Information (RFI) for the San Francisco Solid Waste Transfer and Recycling Center (SFSWTRC) on December 30, 2015.

* notice of acceptance of an amendment to the Report of Facility Information (RFI) for the San Francisco Solid Waste Transfer and Recycling Center (SFSWTRC) on September 23, 2016.

Making a Complaint

For complaints about illegal dumping or garbage, call or visit 311, or visit our garbage complaints page.

Related Agency

CalRecycle (formerly known as the California Integrated Waste Management Board)

Food Safety

Agriculture

Healthy Housing Regulatory Programs

Urban Planning

Housing Hazards

Planning and Transportation

Hazardous Materials

Helpful Links

San Francisco Health Code:

California Agencies

Related Documents

Related Programs

Program Contacts

Solid Waste Program