The annual solid waste assessment pays for more than just trash collection and disposal.

Two garbage collections per week* (County provided gray roll-cart) One recycling collection per week* (County provided blue roll-cart) Go bagless - keep your recyclables loose One yard waste collection per week.* Customers must provide their own bag, box, or container. Disposal of up to 10 cubic yards of self-hauled bulky waste (such as furniture and appliances) at five Hillsborough County Community Collection Centers Disposal of up to two tons of self-hauled yard waste at the County’s two yard-waste processing facilities, Northwest and South County Disposal of limited quantities of household electronics and paint at five Community Collection Centers Disposal of certain batteries at five Community Collection Centers and Household Hazardous Waste collection events Disposal of limited quantities of Household Hazardous Waste at collection events held the first three Saturdays each month at rotating locations Three donation sites for usable household items open six days per week. Request a free presentation for your next neighborhood association meeting or community event on recycling, your solid waste services, and to learn what happens to your waste after it leaves the curb Report a broken roll-cart for repair or replacement Report a missed pickup for your curbside location Learn more in our Solid Waste & Recycling Guide . * Collection schedule may be affected by holidays and emergencies.

Current – $180.19 Proposed – $213.05

Single family, senior citizen (65 years old and older)

Current – $120.41 Proposed – $142.37

Current – $116.12 Proposed – $137.30

Condominium, senior citizen

Current – $75.92 Proposed – $89.77

Current – $297.70 Proposed – $302.17

Need for landfill expansion

Landfill expansion requires immediate action for permitting and construction. The landfill has a finite amount of space to bury garbage. With increased population and waste demands, capital is needed to ensure additional capacity is available beyond 2030. Major storms have generated large amounts of waste that required months to cleanup, transport, process, and dispose. The risk of another hurricane impacting Hillsborough County must be accounted for in planning.

Service area growth since 2015

5,000 new customers added annually, over 400 new customers per month. 3% annual increase in waste tonnage. The waste-to-energy facility has been operating at design capacity for over a decade, meaning more garbage is generated than can be burned, increasing landfill tonnage.

What is the impact to residents other than cost?

The proposed assessment ensures no break in service, contract and regulatory compliance, capital for landfill expansion, and system sustainability. Hillsborough County acknowledges cost increases affect households. Please review the discounts and assistance programs available below.

Hardship/Affordability Credit Program

Qualifying low-income homeowners can receive financial assistance to help cover a portion of their annual assessments .

Senior Citizen Solid Waste Discount and Exemption

Senior citizen discounts for trash service and accessory dwelling exemptions are available for qualified individuals.

Accessory dwelling exemption for those with a disability

If your property is billed for an accessory dwelling, Hillsborough County offers an exemption for additional collection/disposal charges for people over 18 with a disability.

Disability Back Door Trash Collection

Customers who are physically unable to place their roll carts curbside for collection may qualify to receive the backdoor service at no charge.

2026 Solid Waste Assessment FAQs

Your services don’t stop at the curb

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What is a solid waste assessment?

A solid waste assessment is the annual cost for solid waste collection and numerous disposal options assessed on a Hillsborough County Solid Waste Service Area customer’s property tax bill.

What does your solid waste assessment pay for?

Proposed 2026 Solid Waste Assessments

2026 Proposed Solid Waste Assessment

For single-family homes, the total proposed increase for the 2026 assessment period (Oct. 1, 2025, to Sept. 30, 2026) is $37.33 per household annually or $3.11 monthly (7.8% increase). The Disposal Assessment proposed increase is $32.86. The Collection Assessment proposed increase is $4.47.

For senior citizen single-family homes, the total proposed increase for the 2026 assessment period (Oct. 1, 2025, to Sept. 30, 2026) is $26.43 per household annually or $2.20 monthly (6% increase). The Disposal Assessment proposed increase is $32.86. The Collection Assessment proposed increase is $4.47.

Proposed 2026 Annual Disposal Assessment

Proposed 2026 Annual Collection Assessment

How are the assessments paid?

Unlike some jurisdictions that charge a monthly bill, Hillsborough County property owners are automatically assessed annually each November on their residential property tax bill. The 2026 assessment period is from Oct. 1, 2025, to Sept. 30, 2026. There are two separate non-ad valorem assessments, a Solid Waste Collection Assessment for residential curbside collection service, and a Solid Waste Disposal Assessment that pays for the operation of County disposal facilities. All homeowners pay the same rate for services regardless of their property’s size or value.

How can I voice any concern or support about the proposed rate?

Property owners will receive a mailed Notice of Public Hearing by July 11, 2025, with details about the public hearing at 10 AM on Aug. 6, 2025, along with information on how to provide public comment or participate in the public hearing.
Members of the public desiring to participate in the public hearing have access either by appearing in person in the Hillsborough County Board Room, located on the second floor of Frederick B. Karl County Center, 601 East Kennedy Blvd., Tampa, FL 33602, or appearing virtually via Communications Media Technology.

Anyone who wishes to speak must complete the  or register in person the day of the public hearing in the lobby of County Center. The form will open at 9 AM on Aug. 4, 2025, 48 hours prior to the start of the BOCC meeting.
Online signups for the public hearing will not be accepted after 9 AM on the day of the hearing.
Virtual public comments will be afforded equal consideration as if the public comments were offered in person.

Residents can call (813) 272-5680 with any questions about the assessment hearing.
Residents also can submit comments or any documents before the meeting by following the instructions found on .
Additionally, residents may file written objections within 20 days of this notice to: Hillsborough County Solid Waste Management Department, P.O. Box 89637, Tampa, FL 33689.

Can I cancel my residential solid waste collection services?

No. Residential collection services are mandatory for all single-family residential units in Hillsborough County.

Why is there a proposed increase for the 2026 Solid Waste Assessment?

What discounts and assistance are available?

Hillsborough County offers the following programs for qualified residents. Click the links for deadlines, eligibility, and applications.

Discounts and assistance

What is Hillsborough County doing to keep rates low?

The Solid Waste Management Department’s vision is to establish a path to long-term, sustainable, and financially responsible integrated materials management and remains focused on cost efficiency, innovation, and responsible use of public funds.
In 2025, the Solid Waste Management Department initially projected a rate increase of 9% for 2026. However, a reduction in operating expenses and deferment of building a new facility reduced the overall proposed rate increase by 1.2%, saving $6 per household.
The Solid Waste Management Department is developing a new Renewable Natural Gas plant at the landfill to recover gas and create energy for sale to generate revenue.

What is the County doing to save landfill space?

In 2025, the Solid Waste Management Department developed a 40-year Solid Waste Master Plan to meet the needs of the county’s growing population and increasing waste.
The curbside recycling program collects over 60,000 tons of material every year and has saved two years of space for the landfill.
The multi-award-winning Donation Program is one-of-a-kind in the State of Florida and has rescued over 217,000 items, diverting 260,000 pounds from disposal.
Compost created from yard waste and residuals from wastewater treatment is sold, saving landfill space and generating revenue.
The 40-year-old waste-to-energy facility burns up to 1,800 tons of garbage every day, reducing the size of the garbage by almost 90% and saving years of landfill life. Energy created from the facility is enough to power up to 35,000 homes per year, and metal from the waste stream is recovered for recycling, enough to build 15,000 cars annually.

Additional services available

Up to 2 cubic yards of free mulch pickup at the two yard waste sites
Apply for the Community Cleanup Program to receive free containers brought right to your neighborhood for disposal of unwanted waste such as large household items not eligible for normal trash pickup
Residential customers can request a special curbside pickup for bulky waste for a nominal fee ($30 - $50 per item)

Contact

For questions about the Solid Waste assessment call (813) 272-5680 or email SolidWaste@HCFL.gov.
For any other garbage, recycling, or waste related issues, visit the HCFL.gov/Trash or call (813) 272-5680.