Should San Diego's residential trash fee keep rising through 2028?
San Diego's trash fee began at $43.60 and is set to reach $57.55 by 2028. Should the increases proceed? Read the fairness and service arguments.
Local government directory
San Diego, CA: council, meetings and contacts
San Diego is the 8th largest city in the United States with about 1,406,106 residents, in San Diego. Here is who governs it, when they meet in public, and where the agendas are posted.
City government at a glance
- Form of government
- Mayor-council (strong mayor)
- Governing body
- San Diego City Council — 9 members
- Regular meetings
- Typically Mondays 2:00 p.m. and Tuesdays 10:00 a.m., Council Chambers, 202 C St., 12th Floor
- City Hall
- 202 C St., San Diego, CA 92101
- Main information line
- (619) 236-5555
- Population (2025 est.)
- 1,406,106 (2020 census: 1,386,932)
- County
- San Diego
- Planning body
- San Diego Planning Commission
Nine council districts; under the strong-mayor form the mayor is not a member of the council.
Official links
- San Diego official website
- San Diego City Council
- Agendas, minutes and meeting video
- San Diego County Board of Supervisors
- San Diego Unified School District
The bodies that decide things in San Diego
| Body | What it decides | Where to find it |
|---|---|---|
| San Diego City Council | Ordinances, the city budget, zoning changes, contracts, police and fire funding | Official page |
| San Diego County Board of Supervisors | County budget, sheriff and jail, public health, elections administration, county roads | County website |
| San Diego Unified School District board | School budget, boundaries, calendar, curriculum adoption, superintendent | District website |
| San Diego Planning Commission | Rezonings, site plans, variances and long-range land use recommendations | City website |
Questions people ask about San Diego government
When does the San Diego City Council meet?
Typically Mondays 2:00 p.m. and Tuesdays 10:00 a.m., Council Chambers, 202 C St., 12th Floor Always confirm the date and location on the official agenda before you attend, because meetings can be cancelled, moved or continued.
How do I contact San Diego city government?
The main information line is (619) 236-5555. City Hall is at 202 C St., San Diego, CA 92101, and the official website is https://www.sandiego.gov.
How do I speak at a San Diego public meeting?
Find the agenda for the meeting, check the sign-up deadline (many cities close the list before the meeting starts), prepare remarks for the posted time limit — usually two or three minutes — and state your name, your district and your specific ask.
Open debates in San Diego
Start here if you are new to this
Guides
How to File a Public Records Request: FOIA and State Laws
How to file a public records request: federal FOIA vs. state laws, finding the records officer, a sample request letter, fees, deadlines, appeals, and MuckRock.
Guides
How to Write to Elected Officials: Letters, Emails and Calls That Work
How to write to your congressman or city council: email, letter, and call templates, what staff actually do with your message, and a clear do/don't table.
Guides
How to Find Your Representatives by ZIP Code or Address
Find my representative by zip code: official tools for your U.S. House member, senators, state legislators and council district — and why ZIP codes mislead.
Guides
How to Start a Petition: Local and State Rules Explained
How to start a petition in your state or city: informal vs. legally binding petitions, initiative states, signature validation, and a step-by-step checklist.