Where to dispose of construction debris in San Diego

San Diego’s Construction & Demolition Debris Deposit Ordinance requires most construction, demolition, and remodeling projects that need building, combination, or demolition permits to divert debris from landfill. For permits issued on or after July 1, 2016 the diversion target is 65% by weight. You submit a Waste Management Form, pay a refundable recycling deposit, use franchised haulers or certified C&D recycling facilities, then turn in weight tickets within 180 days of final inspection to get the deposit back.

Deposit amounts scale with square footage (for example residential new construction listed at $0.40 per square foot with a 1,000 sq ft minimum). Some work is exempt — roofing projects and many small replacements (windows, doors, fences, decks) among them. Read the City’s C&D application page for the current table rather than guessing from an old permit.

Unincorporated county C&D rules also require high diversion (including 90% of inerts such as concrete and dirt on newer permits) and only Non-Exclusive Franchise Agreement collectors may haul C&D from unincorporated jobs. A licensed contractor hauling its own debris as part of the job is a different case under City franchise language — still not a loophole for a pickup truck of mixed drywall in a gray bin.

City collection rules forbid building and construction debris (dirt, rocks, tree trunks, carpets, large scraps) in household containers. At Miramar, C&D is its own fee column. FY2027 weighed C&D is posted around $241/ton for City-generated waste and $257/ton for non-City waste — more than double general refuse. Flat-rate vehicles pay the C&D tier for that material. Cover the load ($50 fee if you do not).

Fred’s takes small remodel leftovers: cabinets, doors, bagged tile, leftover lumber that is not a whole structure. We are junk removal, not a franchise C&D roll-off company and not a demolition contractor. Heavy concrete, dirt, and roofing often need a dedicated debris box. Text a photo; if the pile is a truck-load of mixed household plus a few cabinets we can quote volume. If it is a permitted teardown, use a certified C&D hauler so your deposit refund survives.