City of San Diego bulky-item curbside pickup
The City offers free bulky-item pickup — but only on a schedule, with specific rules.
What you'll learn
- How to schedule a City of San Diego bulky-item pickup
- What the City takes (furniture, mattresses, appliances) and what it doesn't (construction debris, hazardous)
- Why the wait list can run 4–8 weeks during peak season
- When a private hauler is faster than free
Step by step
- Schedule via sandiego.gov/environmental-services or call 858-694-7000.
- Cover mattresses in clear plastic bags (required).
- Put items at the curb the night before your scheduled pickup.
- Wait — windows can be 4–8 weeks during summer.
- Do not put out items not on the accepted list; they'll leave them.
Safety note
City pickup is free but slow and restrictive. If you've got a sale deadline, tenant deadline, or the junk is piling up visibly, a private hauler pays for itself.
Rather have a pro handle it?
Same-day electrical service across San Diego County. A real electrician picks up.
More guides
Keep learning.
Planning · 6 min watch
How to declutter a room before a junk pickup
Sorting in place — keep / donate / recycle / haul — saves money on the pickup and gets more to charity.
Donation · 5 min watch
What charities actually accept in San Diego
Father Joe's, Habitat ReStore, Goodwill, and St. Vincent all have different rules. Here's the short list.
Regulation · 5 min watch
Where to drop off household hazardous waste
Paint, pesticides, batteries, motor oil, and propane tanks. The County takes them free.