Dumpster Rental in San Diego, California
San Diego Rental Costs, Traffic Permits & Coastal Rules
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Get transparent San Diego dumpster pricing information with full permit cost breakdowns. We help you understand all costs before you rent.
San Diego Dumpster Rental Costs
| Container Size | Price Range | Average Cost | Weight Limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 Yard | $485-$779 | ~$632 | 2-3 tons |
| 20 Yard | $525-$889 | ~$707 | 3-4 tons |
| 30 Yard | $635-$990 | ~$813 | 4-5 tons |
| 40 Yard | $875-$1250 | ~$1063 | 5-6 tons |
Pricing Note: Costs shown are estimates based on 2025 market research and may not reflect current rates. Dumpster rental prices vary by provider, season, location, and specific project requirements. Contact local companies for accurate quotes.
Additional Costs to Consider
- Weight Overages: $88-113 per ton beyond included limits
- Distance Charges: $45-$90 for suburbs, $90-$180 for outer metro
- Rental Extensions: $19-24 per day beyond standard 7-day period
- Prohibited Items: $46 mattresses, $44 tires, $56-156 hazardous materials
- Peak Season Premium: 5%-15% increase during busy season
Included in Base Price
- ✓ Delivery and pickup
- ✓ 3-14 day rental period (varies by provider)
- ✓ 3-5 tons weight allowance
- ✓ Standard debris disposal
- ✓ Basic waste hauling
Additional Costs
- • Street permit: $50+ (escalating daily rates)
- • Distance charges: $45-180 (outer counties)
- • Extension fees: $19-50 per day
- • Overweight charges: $88-100 per extra ton
- • Trip/failure fees: $190-350
Note: San Diego pricing varies dramatically by provider tier and distance. Budget operators start at $485 but may include shorter rental periods and distance charges. Premium providers reaching $1250 include comprehensive service packages and extended rental periods.
Complete Cost Scenarios
Scenario 1: Kitchen Renovation (Private Driveway)
Scenario 2: Bathroom Renovation (Street Placement)
Scenario 3: Extended Construction (30 Days)
San Diego Permit Application Process
Check Placement Location
No permit needed for private property. Street placement requires Traffic Control Permit for 4-week periods.
Apply with Development Services
Submit application to Development Services Department at least 15 business days in advance.
Provide Insurance Documentation
Submit Certificate of Liability Insurance with $1-2 million coverage, naming City of San Diego as additional insured.
Submit Site Plans
Include detailed site plan showing placement location, traffic control measures, and compliance with California MUTCD standards.
Pay $246.38 Fee
$164.63 permit fee plus $81.75 processing fee for 4-week period.
Wait for Approval
15 business days standard processing. Coastal zones and historic districts may require additional review.
Quick San Diego Permit Facts
Permit Requirements
Safety Requirements
San Diego Market Insights
Single Landfill Closing in 2031
San Diego operates exactly one active landfill: the 1,500-acre Miramar facility accepting 910,000 tons annually. Capacity projections show closure by November 2031. Current tipping fees run $63/ton all-inclusive, representing 38% savings versus private alternatives like Otay Landfill at $101/ton. Post-closure, all waste routes to distant private landfills with 1-2 hour round-trip penalties, driving projected 30-50% cost increases across all dumpster rentals.
Strict 65% Construction Debris Recycling Mandate
All San Diego building permits issued after July 1, 2016 require 65% of construction debris to be recycled or reused. The city enforces this through mandatory refundable deposits held until contractors submit documentation within 180 days showing use of franchised haulers and certified C&D recycling facilities. Non-compliance means forfeited deposits plus fines, necessitating source separation and adding administrative burden to every project.
$25 Billion Construction Boom
Unprecedented construction activity floods dumpster demand: Midway Rising ($3.9 billion, 4,254 units), Riverwalk Mission Valley ($4 billion, 4,300 units), San Diego International Airport Terminal 1 ($3.8 billion), Seaport Village redevelopment ($3.6 billion), and Gaylord Pacific Resort ($1.3 billion opening May 2025). Downtown alone completed 1,900 homes in 2024 with 1,696 more under construction through 2025. This concentrated activity creates seasonal shortages, extended wait times, and pricing premiums during peak periods.
Canyon and Hillside Access Nightmares
Over 27,000 acres of urban canyons and steep hillsides fragment San Diego's development pattern. Neighborhoods throughout Mission Valley, Clairemont Mesa, and Linda Vista feature properties atop canyon rims or carved into hillsides. The city enforces Steep Hillside Guidelines for slopes exceeding 25% grade. These properties create delivery challenges—long winding driveways, limited turnaround space, erosion-vulnerable slopes—driving labor costs 20-40% above standard rates.
Comic-Con and Seasonal Demand Spikes
Comic-Con International brings 135,000+ attendees to downtown July 24-27, 2025, creating massive temporary demand for convention setup/breakdown dumpsters and hotel renovation waste. University student move-outs generate concentrated demand May-June (UC San Diego's 35,000+ students, SDSU's 30,000+, USD's 8,000+) and move-ins in September. These windows compound with peak construction season (April-October), creating predictable availability crunches and pricing premiums.
Military Base Access Requirements
Naval Base San Diego—the world's second-largest surface ship base—hosts 24,000+ military personnel, 10,000+ civilians, and 50+ homeported ships. All contractors entering the base face security protocols: background checks, vehicle registration, base access passes (1-2 business days processing), and DBIDS enrollment. Military construction requires DOD-compliant waste handling distinct from civilian regulations. This affects roughly 20% of San Diego's economy and creates dual regulatory environments for base-adjacent projects.
Elite Neighborhood Restrictions
Rancho Santa Fe enforces the nation's strictest covenant controls through its Art Jury—a 5-person board reviewing all exterior modifications including dumpsters. Art Jury meetings occur only 1-2 times monthly, adding weeks to project timelines. Gated communities throughout Del Mar, Solana Beach, and Encinitas require advance notification, vehicle registration with security, and management coordination. La Jolla's narrow village streets prove incompatible with large trucks, often requiring smaller equipment or hand-loading that drives costs 20-40% above standard rates.
San Diego Permit Contacts
Development Services Department - Traffic Engineering
Email: DSDTrafficSafety@sandiego.gov
Phone: (619) 446-5000
Processing: 15 business days
Public Counter Hours: Mon-Thu 7AM-4PM
Closed: Fridays
Address: 1222 First Avenue, San Diego, CA 92101
Traffic Control Permits required for street placement. No permit needed for private property.
Pro Tips for San Diego Rentals
Save Money
Use private property when possible to avoid $246.38 permit fee.
Plan Ahead
Allow 15+ business days for permit processing, more in coastal zones.
Check Zones
Verify if your location requires coastal or historic district review.
Separate Materials
Clean concrete costs $35/ton while mixed C&D costs $247/ton at Miramar.
Consider Access
Canyon properties may need specialized equipment or multiple smaller containers.
Avoid Rush Hours
Schedule deliveries outside 7-9 AM northbound, 4-6 PM southbound on I-5.
San Diego Dumpster Rental Companies
Haul'n Off Dumpster Rentals
Phone: (619) 720-4511
Website: haulnoff.com
Rating: 4-star Trustpilot
Service Areas: San Diego County, La Mesa, Encinitas
Specialties: Heavy materials, $499 starting price, $165/ton overages
Mobiledumps San Diego
Phone: (619) 629-4751
Website: mobiledumps.com
Rating: 5-star Google, BBB Accredited
Service Areas: San Diego County from Poway
Specialties: Mobile relocatable trailers, veteran-owned, no permits needed
EDCO Disposal
Website: san-diego.edcodisposal.com
Experience: Family-owned since 1967 (58 years)
Rating: 3-star Yelp, established reputation
Service Areas: East, Central, South San Diego County
Specialties: Franchised hauler, environmental focus, multiple facilities
Trash Daddy Dumpsters
Website: trashdaddydumpsters.com
Rating: 4.9/5 stars Google, A+ BBB
Recognition: Inc. 5000 11th fastest growing (Rocky Mountain)
Service Areas: San Diego, Chula Vista, El Cajon, Escondido
Specialties: Family-owned, same-day delivery, $800s-$1,200 pricing
ZTERS Waste Value
Website: zters.com
Experience: 10+ years nationwide
Pricing: $397-$677 flat-rate
Service Areas: All San Diego metro areas
Specialties: 10-day rentals, maximum tonnage included, online booking
Note: Contact companies directly for current pricing and availability. Verify they understand San Diego's Traffic Control Permit requirements for street placement and California environmental regulations.
San Diego County Area Coverage
Central San Diego
- Downtown
- Gaslamp Quarter
- Little Italy
- Hillcrest
- North Park
- South Park
- Golden Hill
- Normal Heights
Coastal Areas
- La Jolla
- Pacific Beach
- Mission Beach
- Ocean Beach
- Point Loma
- Coronado
- Imperial Beach
- Del Mar
North County
- Escondido
- Oceanside
- Carlsbad
- Encinitas
- Vista
- San Marcos
- Poway
- Rancho Bernardo
East/South County
- El Cajon
- La Mesa
- Santee
- Lakeside
- Chula Vista
- National City
- Bonita
- Spring Valley
Also serving: Also serving: Jamul, Alpine, Ramona, Valley Center, Fallbrook, and all unincorporated San Diego County areas
Frequently Asked Questions
Get answers to common questions about dumpster rental in San Diego.
Permits & Regulations
San Diego-Specific Challenges
Pricing & Market Dynamics
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