Fresno trash rates rise July 1: new monthly costs for City carts

Fresno residents with City-provided weekly solid-waste service will pay more starting July 1, 2026. The increase is the next scheduled step under the City of Fresno’s multi-year Proposition 218 residential rate plan for the gray (trash), blue (recycling), and green (organics) cart service.

What changes July 1, 2026 (quick numbers)

The City sets residential rates by cart service level. Starting July 1, 2026, the City’s monthly charges move to:

• Basic 3-cart service (96-gallon solid waste service): $38.70/month (up from $35.50/month through 6/30/2026)
• Alternate option (64-gallon trash + 96-gallon recycling/organics): $35.25/month (up from $32.34/month through 6/30/2026)

In dollar terms, that’s +$3.20/month for the standard 96-gallon 3-cart setup and +$2.91/month for the alternate trash cart setup.

Which Fresno households does this cover?

This rate update is for City of Fresno residential solid-waste customers—the homes served by the City’s Solid Waste Management Division, which provides weekly collection through City-marked carts.

According to the City, homeowners and residents in homes up to the size of a fourplex receive the City’s trash and recycling services; businesses and apartment buildings are served by private waste haulers.

If your driveway has City logo carts—gray, blue, and green—you’re in the City-serviced customer class covered by this schedule.

Basic 3-cart (96-gallon) service: before vs. after July 1, 2026

For the standard City service level (three 96-gallon carts):

• Through 6/30/2026: $35.50/month
• Starting 7/1/2026: $38.70/month

The City describes this as weekly collection using one cart each for trash (gray), recyclables (blue), and green waste/organics (green).

Alternate 64-gallon trash option: before vs. after July 1, 2026

Some residents use a different cart mix: 96-gallon carts for recycling and organics, plus a 64-gallon cart for trash. For that alternate service level:

• Through 6/30/2026: $32.34/month
• Starting 7/1/2026: $35.25/month

That’s a +$2.91/month increase for the alternate cart setup.

Extra cart fees also rise on July 1, 2026

The City also charges monthly add-on rates for additional carts. Starting July 1, 2026, examples of extra-cart price changes include:

• Extra 64-gallon trash (gray) cart: $6.33/month → $6.90/month (+$0.57)
• Extra 96-gallon trash (gray) cart: $9.50/month → $10.36/month (+$0.86)
• Extra 96-gallon recycling (blue) cart: $3.99/month → $4.35/month (+$0.36)
• Extra 96-gallon organics (green) cart: $5.69/month → $6.20/month (+$0.51)

If you’re paying for extra carts already—or you’ve requested additional service—this is the part of the rate update that can change the most from bill to bill.

Why Fresno is raising residential solid-waste rates

City documents describe the rate plan as needed to sustain reliable residential service. The City’s Prop. 218 materials point to higher operating costs over time and a need to reestablish the Division’s financial health.

In coverage of the July 1 change, Fresno Public Utilities leadership described the increase as part of escalating costs tied to fuel, vehicle replacements, and labor. Reporting also cited a budget deficit issue discussed at the time the earlier City Council vote occurred, and that Fresno offers an affordability credit for low-income customers.

What residents can do next

• Confirm your service level by matching your cart setup to the City’s standard 3-cart service or the alternate 64-gallon trash option.
• Check your next monthly solid-waste charge for the updated amount effective July 1, 2026.
• If you have extra carts, review which cart size and color you’re being billed for so you know whether your add-on fee is changing.

For most City-served homes, the key takeaway is simple: starting July 1, 2026, the City’s monthly solid-waste charge rises under the existing schedule—+$3.20/month for the standard 96-gallon 3-cart setup, and +$2.91/month for the alternate 64-gallon trash option.

Sources

• City of Fresno — Residential Solid Waste Rate Update 2024 (Prop. 218 rate schedule and cart/service pricing)
• Fresno Legistar (City of Fresno) — Prop. 218 solid waste management division service rates update supplement packet (PDF)
• Fresno Bee — Trash rates rise July 1 as five-year plan continues

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