The City of Philadelphia requires most large commercial, multi-unit residential, or mixed-use properties, to buy private trash service.

Good news: some smaller properties are eligible to use City trash and recycling pick-up for an annual Commercial Trash (or Refuse Collection) Fee of $300. This service has weekly limits on the amount of trash and recyclables left at the curb.

The fee for this year must be paid in full by July 1, 2019. If you benefited from this service last last year, you may have received a reminder letter. Visit phila.gov/pay to pay before the July 1 deadline.

Reduced and waived fees

You don’t have pay the Commercial Trash (or Refuse Collection) Fee if you pay for trash collection from a private hauler.

If this is your case, fill out and return a Commercial Trash Fee (or Refuse Collection) Exemption form. Include a copy of your current service agreement from a licensed hauler (2019 only).

More good news: some properties may also qualify for City trash and recycling pick-up at a reduced or waived fee. If you fall into one of the examples below, fill out and return the exemption form.

  • Owner-occupied property – The property must be 100% occupied by the owner with no tenants (100% discount, $0 due).
  • House of worship – The property must be used for religious purposes only (100% discount, $0 due).
  • Vacant property. The property must be vacant and the owner must provide a current Vacant Property license from the Department of Licenses & Inspections (100% discount, $0 due).
  • Owner-Occupied Duplex, Owner must live in one unit and have one other rental unit only. The owner must provide a current rental license from the Department of Licenses & Inspection (50% discount, $150 due).

Properties claiming the House of worship or Vacant property exemptions must fill out and return the form every year.

Properties that received an Owner-Occupied or Owner-Occupied Duplex exemption in 2018 will automatically receive that exemption in 2019. If the property is no-longer 100% Owner-Occupied or an Owner-Occupied Duplex, please contact the Department of Revenue’s Commercial Trash Fee (or Refuse Collection) Unit at (215) 686-5090 or via email at solidresources@phila.gov.

Photo credit: Taylor Fansworth, Philadelphia Department of Commerce/ Flickr

Pay the Refuse Collection fee online today.