Proposed Refuse Rate Increase

Culver City's refuse operations are funded through an Enterprise Refuse Fund; service charges directly cover the cost of providing service. The City's last rate adjustment, approved in 2021, covered FY 2021–22 through FY 2025–26. Since then, several new challenges have emerged:

• Recycling and organics costs have risen due to shrinking recycling markets and new composting requirements under SB 1383.
• Transportation costs have increased due to cleaner fuel requirements and longer hauling routes after nearby facility closures.
• Closure of trash facilities such as Chiquita Canyon Landfill have reduced local capacity, driving up costs regionally.
• Transfer Station improvements are needed for safety and environmental compliance, including new push walls, tipping floor repairs, and stormwater capture upgrades.
• Increased costs for equipment, fuel, and staffing.
  
  

Refuse fees collected under the current rates have not covered the full cost of service. Adjusting these rates will help secure the funding necessary to maintain safe, reliable, and environmentally responsible service for Culver City residents and businesses.

Your Refuse Fee Also Funds

• Weekly trash, recycling, and organics (food waste & yard trimmings) collection
• SB 1383 organics diversion compliance
• Street sweeping services
• Transfer Station operations and capital improvements
• Bulky item collection
• Public education and outreach
• Environmental compliance and state mandate implementation

A public hearing will be held to consider the proposed refuse rate adjustments. At this hearing, the City Clerk will open and tabulate all valid written protests from property owners.

Date

May 26, 2026, 7pm

Location

Mike Balkman Council Chambers,
Culver City Hall 9770 Culver Blvd.,
Culver City, CA 90232

To maintain reliable service, meet state requirements, and sustain operations, the following phased rate increases are proposed:

• FY 2027–28: 9%
• FY 2028–29: 8%
• FY 2029–30: 5%
• FY 2030–31: 5%
• FY 2031–32: 5%

That’s a total increase of about 36% over five years, which allows the City to continue improving infrastructure and maintaining high service quality.

Refuse Monthly Collection Rates Increase Example (Three-Stream)

Rates for Other Common Services

Even after the increase, Culver City’s rates remain lower than most nearby cities.

Download the Culver City Refuse Cost-of-Service Study (PDF)(PDF, 744KB) 

Download Approved Amended Assessment Engineer’s Report (PDF)(PDF, 62KB) 

Under Proposition 218, refuse service charges are considered property-related fees. This process ensures transparency and gives property owners the right to be heard.

Key Requirements

• Mailed notice must go to all record property owners affected by the proposed rate change.
• Only property owners of record may participate in the protest process. Renters and tenants are not eligible.
• A minimum 45-day protest period must follow the mailing of notices.
• A public hearing must be held where written protests from property owners are opened and counted.
• If a majority protest (more than 50% plus one of the weighted property-owner votes) is received, the rate increase cannot be adopted.
• When a parcel has multiple record owners, each protest vote is weighted according to the owner’s proportionate share of ownership, as shown in County property records.
• Fees must reflect the true cost of providing service and cannot fund unrelated programs.

Culver City follows all Prop 218 requirements and ensures property owners receive clear information and fair participation rights.

The City of Culver City will conduct a public hearing on May 26, 2026, at Mike Balkman Council Chambers, Culver City Hall, 9770 Culver Blvd., Culver City, CA 90232, to consider the adoption of changes to the Refuse Fee Rates, and to consider all written protests against the proposed rates. Members of the public are welcome to attend and speak at the public hearing. Oral comments at the public hearing will not qualify as written protests.

Under Proposition 218, only record property owners of parcels subject to the refuse fee may submit a protest. To file a valid protest, property owners must submit a signed written protest to the City Clerk’s Office by 7pm on May 26, 2026.

Each protest must include:

• Property owner’s name
• Service address or Assessor’s Parcel Number
• Refuse account number (if available)
• A statement clearly indicating opposition to the proposed rate adjustment
• Signature of the property owner

Only one protest per parcel will be counted. If a parcel has multiple record owners, votes will be weighted based on each owner’s ownership percentage. Protests must be received (not postmarked) by the City Clerk before the close of the hearing. A failure to timely object in writing bars any right to challenge the fee in court and any such action will be limited to issues identified in your objection.

Why wasn’t this increase done earlier?

Many cost pressures have increased rapidly (e.g. fuel, labor, processing), and prior rates either were set under earlier cost bases or used reserves. The new study shows the current rates are no longer sufficient to sustain safe, compliant, reliable service.

Won’t higher rates lead to increased illegal dumping?

We recognize that concern. We will continue robust code enforcement, education, and monitoring. Our goal is to balance affordability with environmental responsibility and service integrity.

What if I generate very little waste?

You may qualify for a smaller cart size or service level, if allowed under the ordinance. But minimum service levels may be required to ensure the system is viable for all.

What if I already compost at home?

Home composting is encouraged and reduces quantity, but state law (e.g. SB 1383) often requires that jurisdictions provide organics collection for all eligible properties. So a cart may still be required even if you compost.

Will the City profit from this increase?

No. Under Prop 218 requirements, revenues from the fee must not exceed the cost of providing service, including reasonable reserves and contingencies. Excess revenues cannot be used for unrelated general services.

Can this be challenged legally?

Property owners have the right to protest, and if a majority protest the fee cannot be adopted. Also, the fee structure must comply with constitutional and statutory requirements. Courts may review whether the fee is proportional.

Where will my money go?

The increased revenue funds collection, processing, equipment, outreach, compliance with state mandates, and maintaining reliable service levels. It supports transition to more sustainable waste handling (e.g. organics, diversion).

Who can submit a protest?

Only record property owners may submit a written protest. Renters and tenants are not eligible under Proposition 218.

How are votes counted when there are multiple owners?

If more than one person owns a property, each owner’s vote is weighted by their share of ownership listed in County records.

How do Culver City’s rates compare to others?

Even after the increase, Culver City’s rates remain among the lowest in the region.

When will the new rates take effect?

If approved, new rates will begin after City Council adoption on July 1, 2026.