San Diego Landfill Dump Fees & Dump Prices (2025 Guide)
Current costs, what each site takes, and how to avoid surprise charges.
We Handle Loading, Hauling & Disposal • Same-Day Available • Licensed & Insured
Quick Snapshot: 2025 San Diego Dump Fees
If you're searching for San Diego landfill dump fees or comparing San Diego dump prices before you load up the truck, this guide summarizes the current 2025 fee ranges, policies, and programs at Miramar, Otay, Sycamore, and the Ramona Transfer Station. Whether you're in Chula Vista, El Cajon, La Mesa, Santee, Oceanside, Escondido, La Jolla, or Pacific Beach, you'll see typical per-load and per-ton pricing, what's accepted, what's prohibited, and when hiring a hauler actually costs less than a DIY dump run.
💰 Quick snapshot (2025):
- • Small self-haul loads: $70–$100
- • Standard mixed trash (City): ~$97–$103/ton
- • Private sites: ~$100+/ton
- • Green waste & clean wood: Discounted rates
- • C&D debris: Premium pricing
How San Diego Dump Prices Work
San Diego dump prices vary by load type (flat vs. weighed), material, origin (city vs. non-city), and site operator (public vs. private). Expect an uncovered-load penalty if you don't tarp your load, and separate handling for electronics, appliances, and hazardous materials. Bring ID and a payment method accepted by the site you visit.
San Diego County Landfills & Transfer Stations
Miramar Landfill (City of San Diego)
Central SD Location
ADDRESS
5180 Convoy St., San Diego, CA
HOURS
Mon–Sat 7:00a–4:00p (entry by ~4:30p)
Typical 2025 Fees:
💳 Payment:
No cash—card/check only
✓ On-Site Programs:
- • Free mattress recycling (weekdays)
- • HHW appointments (Saturdays)
- • Recycling center (electronics, appliances, metals)
- • Miramar Greenery for composting
Good to know: Arrive early on Saturdays; separate e-waste/appliances before you hit the scale to avoid delays/fees.
Otay Landfill
Chula Vista / South Bay
ADDRESS
1700 Maxwell Rd., Chula Vista, CA
HOURS
Mon–Fri 7:00a–4:00p; Sat 8:00a–3:30p
Typical 2025 Fees:
🎟️ Chula Vista Residents:
Two free dump passes/year (up to 1 ton each); separate yard-waste passes available
Good to know: Ask the scalehouse about separated loads (clean green, metal, concrete) for potential savings.
Sycamore Landfill
Santee / East County
ADDRESS
8514 Mast Blvd., Santee, CA
HOURS
Mon–Fri 7:00a–4:30p; Sat to ~3:00p
Typical 2025 Fees:
✓ Programs:
- • Free mattress & carpet recycling (when separated)
- • Appliances/e-waste accepted at designated areas
- • Treated wood waste (with prior notice)
🎟️ Santee Residents:
Two free passes/year (up to 1 ton per pass)
Good to know: One of the few sites that can accept large animal remains; always call ahead for special waste profiles.
Ramona Transfer Station (EDCO)
North County Inland
ADDRESS
324 Maple St., Ramona, CA
HOURS
Mon–Sat 7:00a–4:30p
Typical 2025 Fees:
✓ Programs:
- • Free mulch/wood chips pickup
- • E-waste & battery drop-offs
- • Mattress recycling (EDCO service-area residents)
Good to know: Indoor tipping = fast, clean unload; ideal for smaller vehicles and mixed household junk.
San Diego Dump Fees by Material
General Loads
Discounted Materials
Premium Materials
Special Items
⚠️ Avoid Surprise Fees:
- • Tarp your load (uncovered = $50+ penalty)
- • Separate recyclables for lower rates
- • Confirm hours before driving
- • Weekday mornings = fastest service
DIY vs. Hiring a Hauler (Real-World Cost)
A DIY dump run sounds cheap—until you factor in your time, truck/trailer, fuel, multiple trips, tarps, safety gear, and the dump fee.
DIY Hidden Costs
- ✗Truck/trailer rental: $50–$150
- ✗Fuel & mileage costs
- ✗Your time (3–5 hours)
- ✗Dump fee: $70–$100+
- ✗Multiple trips often needed
- ✗Risk of injury or property damage
Professional Hauler
- ✓All-in-one price: $100–$495
- ✓We do all the loading
- ✓We handle transport & disposal
- ✓Donation/recycling included
- ✓Same-day service available
- ✓Licensed, insured professionals
Our Transparent Pricing
$100
Single item pickup
$249
¼ load
$349
½ load
$495
Full load
Includes loading, transport, and disposal. Donation/recycling when possible.
If your debris fills more than a small pickup or includes stairs/elevator access, hiring out is usually cheaper (and much faster) than self-hauling.
Where To Go (Driving Context)
Central/Coastal
Miramar off Convoy
20 min from Downtown outside rush hour
Best for: La Jolla, Pacific Beach, Clairemont, Kearny Mesa
South Bay
Otay east of I-805
Closest from Chula Vista/Eastlake/Otay Mesa
Best for: Chula Vista, Imperial Beach, San Ysidro
East County
Sycamore via Mission Gorge
Closest for Santee/La Mesa/El Cajon
North Inland
Ramona Transfer Station
Ideal for Ramona/Julian/Valley Center
Best for: North inland communities
🚗 Traffic Tips:
Plan around Padres game traffic, beach congestion, and weekend lines. After storms, expect slower tipping-deck operations.
What's Not Allowed (and Where It Goes)
Hazardous Waste
Paints, chemicals, fuels, batteries
Where: City/County HHW facilities (appointments often required)
E-Waste & Appliances
Electronics, refrigerators, washers
Where: On-site recycling areas or designated centers. See our appliance removal service
Mattresses
Beds, box springs
Where: Free recycling sites (Miramar weekdays; Sycamore ongoing). Learn more about our mattress disposal service
Frequently Asked Questions - San Diego Dump Fees
Get answers to common questions about San Diego dump fees, disposal costs, and waste management regulations.
How much are San Diego landfill dump fees right now?
Small loads are typically $70–$100. Weighed general trash is about $97–$103 per ton at the City site and ~$100+/ton at private landfills.
Which San Diego landfill is cheapest?
Miramar's posted rates are transparent and competitive. Private sites can be similar per ton but some cities offer resident passes (e.g., Santee, Chula Vista) that make certain trips free up to 1 ton.
Is green waste cheaper than regular trash?
Yes. Separated green waste and clean wood are discounted. Keep loads clean to qualify for lower rates.
Are mattresses free to dump?
At select sites, yes—San Diego participates in the state mattress recycling program. Keep items dry/unsoiled and use designated drop areas and hours.
What's the uncovered load fee?
Plan on about $50 extra at City facilities if your load isn't tarped. Private sites require covered loads too and may charge or refuse entry.
Do landfills take cash?
Miramar does not; it accepts card or check only. Private sites commonly accept cash—always confirm before you go.
Have Questions About San Diego Dump Fees?
Let us handle the dump fees and disposal for you. Our transparent pricing includes all San Diego dump fees and disposal costs.
Related Junk Removal Services
Furniture Removal
Professional furniture and couch removal with same-day service
Couch Removal
Fast sofa and sectional pickup throughout San Diego
Mattress Disposal
Eco-friendly mattress and box spring removal
Appliance Removal
Safe removal of refrigerators, washers, and all appliances
Same-Day Junk Removal
Need it gone today? We arrive within 2-4 hours
Commercial Junk Removal
Business cleanouts and office furniture removal
Prefer to Skip the Dump Trip?
Our locally owned San Diego junk removal team handles loading, hauling, and disposal—with transparent pricing and same-day availability in most neighborhoods. We recycle or donate when we can.
Same-day service available • Licensed & insured • Serving all San Diego County