Stage 1 Fire Restriction Activated
Due to elevated fire danger, the City of Phoenix has implemented Stage 1 Fire Restrictions.
All consumer fireworks are prohibited within one mile of mountain preserves, desert parks, regional parks, conservation areas, national forests, and wilderness areas.
City of Phoenix official website
A solid waste rate adjustment was approved by City Council on April 22. This site explains how the rate will be implemented, and answers common questions customers may have about solid waste services.
Since presenting the initial multi-year rate recommendation at the February 10, 2026 Policy Session, staff reviewed feedback from the Community Solid Waste Rate Information Sessions and the customer survey. Considering community and City Council feedback and concerns, and staff’s continued efforts to identify operational efficiencies, the original rate recommendation was reduced from a $17 increase over 3 years to a $14 increase over 3 years.
City Council approved the smaller increase on April 22.
The Solid Waste Division of the Public Works Department operates as an enterprise fund, meaning it covers all operating costs with its own revenue, rather than with general funds from the City's budget. While some of Solid Waste's revenue comes from drop-off disposal fees and the sale of recyclables, the vast majority (86%) of the money Solid Waste bring in comes from the monthly fee residents pay to have their solid waste collected from their homes. This fee is reflected on a customer's monthly city services bill, which also includes fees for water and sewer services.
The last time a solid waste rate adjustment was approved by Phoenix City Council was in 2020. Since then, staff costs have risen 32%, vehicle costs have gone up by 52%, and construction and maintenance costs for critical infrastructure have increased by 40%. During the same time period, the monthly solid waste rate only increased by 2% annually. The Solid Waste Division is expecting a budget shortfall of $20.8 million this fiscal year. To address this shortfall and keep revenue on pace with expenses, a rate increase is needed. The increase will ensure that Solid Waste can continue providing reliable service and comply with legal requirements when it comes to operating necessary solid waste infrastructure, such as landfills and transfer stations.
The approved adjustments to the monthly solid waste fee are as follows:
This increase to the solid waste rate will enable the Public Works Department to continue providing solid waste collection and disposal services as they currently exist.
Public Works collected feedback on the proposed rate increase through both community info sessions and a customer survey. The survey is now closed, but customers can always email us at solid.waste@phoenix.gov.
| Month/Year | Approved dollar increase |
Equivalent % increase |
New approved monthly fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| July 2026 | + $5.00/month | 13% | $42.32 |
| July 2027 | + $5.00/month | 12% | $47.32 |
| July 2028 | + $4.00/month | 8% | $51.32 |
| Month/Year | New subscription fee |
|---|---|
| July 2026 | $10.58 |
| July 2027 | $11.83 |
| July 2028 | $12.83 |
Paradise Valley Community Center Multipurpose Room
17402 N. 40th Street
6 p.m.
CONCLUDED
Maryvale Community Center Auditorium
4420 N. 51st Avenue
6 p.m.
CONCLUDED
South Mountain Community Library
7050 S. 24th Street
6 p.m.
CONCLUDED
Sunnyslope Community Center
802 E. Vogel Avenue
9 a.m.
CONCLUDED
Washington Activity Center Multipurpose Room
2240 W. Citrus Way
6 p.m.
CONCLUDED
Desert West Community Center Multipurpose Room
6501 W Virginia Ave
6 p.m.
CONCLUDED
Hosted via Webex
10 a.m.
CONCLUDED
Encanto Park Clubhouse
2605 N. 15th Avenue
6 p.m.
CONCLUDED
Beuf Community Center Multipurpose Room
3435 W. Pinnacle Peak Road
6 p.m.
CONCLUDED
Pecos Community Center Multipurpose Room
17010 S 48th St
6 p.m.
CONCLUDED
Deer Valley Community Center
2001 W. Wahalla Ln
6 p.m.
CONCLUDED
Public Works collected feedback on the proposed rate increase over a period of five weeks through a customer survey. The survey is now closed. We will analyze the input received from the survey as we consider solid waste service options for the future.
Want to learn more? Check out the Frequently Asked Questions below, or reach out to us directly if you still have questions about the approved rate increase.
Email: solid.waste@phoenix.gov
Phone: 602-262-6251
Since the last Council approved rate adjustment in 2020, the Solid Waste Management Program has seen increasing operational costs and anticipates a budget shortfall in the solid waste fund for this fiscal year. To address this shortfall, a proposed multi-year fee adjustment is being recommended.
The rate will increase over the next three fiscal years, with the first increase of $5/month beginning on July 1, 2026.
The proposed rates and implementation schedule were developed by evaluating current expenditures and revenues, assessing the minimum operating reserve requirement, and accounting for future capital improvement needs.
An inflationary adjustment is a change to a rate that reflects current purchasing power rather than its past value. The Public Works Department will review operational and economic factors each year to determine whether an inflationary adjustment is needed and, if so, how much of an adjustment is needed to ensure cost recovery of services provided. The inflationary adjustment for each year will not exceed 5%, starting from July 1, 2029, through June 30, 2034, and will be reviewed by City Council annually prior to implementation.
$37.32 per month.
City Council voted 8-1 to approve the new rate on April 22, 2026.
Yes. The city offers a 60-gallon refuse (black) container for residents currently receiving curbside collection service. Residents can opt to exchange the standard 90-gallon container for the smaller 60-gallon container at a reduced monthly rate of $3 less per month (currently $34.32 per month).
The newly approved rate allows Public Works to increase the discount to $5/month for a 60-gallon trash container.
A household must be enrolled in the City's recycling program (which is no additional cost) to qualify for the smaller refuse container and the associated discount.
Yes. Project Assist is a resource to help those who are having trouble paying for water, sewer, or solid waste services from the City of Phoenix. Customers must be at or below 200% of the federal poverty income level to apply for assistance.
Project Assist is administered by the Human Services Department and funded by the Public Works Department, the Water Services Department, and customer donations.
Residents had the opportunity to attend any of 11 community information sessions (listed above) that were held during February and March 2026 to ask questions and learn more from our Public Works team. Customers can reach us by email anytime at solid.waste@phoenix.gov.
You can contact our Customer Contact Center by email at solid.waste@phoenix.gov or by phone at 602-262-6251.
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