• Solid Waste Rates

    • Can I speak at the public hearing?

      Yes. Members of the public may provide oral comments at the public hearing in accordance with the City Council agenda instructions.

      However, oral comments do not count as formal Proposition 218 protests. Only written protests that meet the required criteria will be counted toward determining whether a majority protest exists.

    • How can I submit a written protest?

      Written protests may be submitted by mail or in person to the City Clerk, or at the public hearing, as long as they are received before the close of the public comment portion of the public hearing.

      Please mark the envelope:
      Attn: Public Hearing on Solid Waste Rate Increases
      Email protests and other electronic protests will not be accepted

    • What are the proposed changes for smaller multi-family properties?

      The City is proposing a cart-based pricing structure for eligible multi-family properties with two to eight units. Currently, smaller multi-family properties are billed on a per-unit basis. Under the proposed structure, eligible small mutli-family properties would be billed for one base residential three-cart set, with additional carts billed only as needed.This approach is intended to better align billing with actual service levels while maintaining required access to landfill, recycling, and organics collection service.

    • What are the proposed residential monthly rates?

      For standard residential cart service, the proposed monthly rates are:
      Residential Service Level Current Monthly Rate Proposed Monthly Rate
      35-gallon trash cart set $26.70 $31.47
      65-gallon trash cart set $27.00 $31.86
      95-gallon trash cart set $27.21 $32.12
      The complete proposed rate schedule is available in Exhibit A.

    • What happens if a majority protest is not received?

      If a majority protest is not received by the close of the public hearing, the City Council may consider adopting the proposed solid waste rate adjustments.

    • What happens if a majority protest is received?

      If written protests are submitted by a majority of the affected parcels, the proposed rate increases may not be imposed.

    • What happens if I do not object?

      No action is required if you do not object to the proposed rate adjustments.

    • What is being proposed?

      The City of Laguna Beach is considering proposed maximum rates for solid waste, recycling, and organics collection services provided by CR&R Environmental Services. If approved, the proposed rates would take effect beginning July 1, 2026.The proposed rate adjustments include changes related to landfill disposal costs, inflationary adjustments under the City's franchise agreement with CR&R, and a proposed cart-based pricing structure for certain smaller multi-family properties with two to eight units.

    • What is Proposition 218?

      Proposition 218 is a California constitutional process that provides property owners and customers of record an opportunity to protest certain proposed property-related fees and charges.
      The City is conducting a majority protest proceeding for the proposed solid waste rate adjustments.

    • What must be included in a written protest?

      To be counted, a written protest must include:
      a. A statement that the property owner of record opposes the proposed solid waste rate increases;
      b. The property address or Assessor's Parcel Number; and
      c. The name and signature of the person submitting the protest.

    • When is the public hearing?

      The City Council public hearing is scheduled for:
      Tuesday, June 23, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. in Council Chambers at 505 Forest Avenue, Laguna Beach CA, 92651
      Meeting location, viewing options, and public comment instructions will also be included in the City Council agenda posted before the meeting.

    • When would the new rates take effect?

      If approved by the City Council, the proposed maximum solid waste service rates would take effect on July 1, 2026

    • Where can I find the full proposed rate schedule?

      The full proposed maximum rate schedule is available in Exhibit A ' Maximum Solid Waste Service Charges

    • Who may submit a written protest?

      A written protest may be submitted by a property owner of record who is directly responsible for paying the solid waste service charges. Only one written protest per identified parcel will be counted.

    • Who should I contact with questions?

      For questions about the proposed rates or the Proposition 218 process, contact:
      City of Laguna Beach Public Works & Utilities Department at (949) 497-0711 or by email at recycle@lagunabeachcity.net

      For questions about your service level, billing classification, or account, contact:

      CR&R Environmental Services at (949) 662-3819 or by email at lagunabeach-recycles@crrmail.com

    • Why are solid waste rates proposed to increase?

      The proposed rate adjustments are driven by three primary factors:
      1. Increased landfill disposal costs related to the Waste Infrastructure System Enhancement agreement;
      2. Annual inflationary adjustments tied to Producer Price Index changes for collection, processing, and fuel-related costs; and
      3. Multi-family rate restructuring to better align billing for two- to eight-unit properties with the actual number of carts needed onsite.
      The City's solid waste services are funded through customer rates, not the General Fund.

    • Why would residential and commercial rates increase if some smaller multi-family properties may see a reduction?

      The proposed multi-family repricing would reduce charges for certain two- to eight-unit properties. However, CR&R's overall cost to provide solid waste service is not reduced by the same amount. To maintain proportional recovery of system costs, the remaining cost must be recovered through the overall rate structure.

    • Will all multi-family properties qualify for the cart-based pricing structure?

      No. The proposed cart-based pricing structure is intended for eligible multi-family properties with two to eight units that receive cart-based service. Multi-family properties with bin service, multiple collection days per week, or nine or more units would continue to be billed under the applicable commercial/multi-family rate structure.

    • Will future annual adjustments require another public hearing?

      If approved, future annual adjustments may occur each July 1 based on the adjustment methodology described in the notice, including applicable Producer Price Index changes and changes in Orange County landfill tipping fees. A written notice of each annual adjustment would be mailed at least 30 days before the effective date.In no event may an automatic adjustment cause rates to exceed the City's actual cost of providing solid waste service.